Ready to get a better machine

[Jacktheboatguy]

I do occasional vinyl/soft leather work for boat and airplane upholstery. I've been using a Singer 201 and it just isn't up to the task.  I was using a #18 needle & #92 thread on boat vinyl & getting way too many jams. I backed the thread down to 68 which helped a bit but It appears the 201 was a poor choice to start with. I've been looking for a reasonably priced Consew/Juki/Necchi but nothing so far. Since this is far more of a hobby than a business I can't spend a ton. I found an ad for a new Singer 4452 which sounded good but I'm hesitant to get one of their new machines - lots of plastic & 30 day warranty. I then found a 401A on Craigslist for $135 & it looks like it would do the job nicely. I usually don't go over 4 thicknesses of vinyl. Does anyone have experience with the 401 on vinyl. I think this is a good machine and the price is right but I'd sure like an experienced opinion.

[kgg]

All the machines you have been looking at a mostly used in the home garment area. To do upholstery reliably you need to move up to a walking foot machine. On the lower end of the price scale look for a portable walking foot like the Reliable Barracuda which can handle up to V138 thread and can be purchased at your local Home Depot store for about $500 US.

kgg

[Wizcrafts]

Check out these affordable and well spoken of Consew walking foot machines:

1. Consew P1206RB
2. Consew 206RB-5

These machines have large M style bobbins and can sew 3/8 inch with #138 thread. Since they are clones of the ancient Singer 111w155, they take the same commonly available feet. There are dozens of different feet, including piping foot sets, edge guide outer feet, single toe outer feet and feet with teeth (great for grabbing slippery vinyl).