seiko Any SEIKO LSC-8B-2 specialists here?

[RodS]

Hi All,

I am ordering my first industrial compound feed cylinder arm machine, the SEIKO LSC-8B-2!

While I have done my fair share of research of this machine, It would be great to hear of ANY advice dedicated to this model to assist me or anyone else interested in this machine in the future.

Now, I was in a dilemma on which model to get; the 8B-2 (standard sewing) or 8BV-2 (sychronised binder). I asked SEIKO Japan via email if 8BV-2 can do standard sewing and sync binding, and the response I got was: 

"In LSC-8BV-2 case, sewing may be difficult by material" 
...I suppose LSC 8BV-2 is intended for sync binding only/primarily.

However, my local sales advisor said LSC 8BV-2 can do standard sewing and sync binding (I was wary of this answer, perhaps the advisor just wanted me to buy the higher priced model...). I wanted a machine that can do both 'modes' professionally. I want to get the most from a single machine and buying two machines is not viable at the moment; money and space does not allow! 

...So I did my own youtube research of both models...

There are a few youtube sewing demos of SEIKO LSC 8B-2. As well as LSC 8BV-2, that demonstrates standard sewing (no sync binding operation in sight) and it looks perfect; stitch quality and material feeding are agreeable!

At this point, I was conflicted with what I have been told and what I have seen. However, I made my final decision based on SEIKO Japan agent's advice and got the LSC 8B-2. I also read another thread from this website in regards to the difference between sync binding and standard models which also informed my decision.

Has anyone else been in this position? Or can a specialist provide any advice?

Machine aside, can anyone provide advice for:

Swing away binder  Where can I buy it online? Any advice with installing? 
Flatbed attachment   Where can I buy it online? I asked my local sales advisor about this attachment and was quoted $1,300 AUD for it... Ridiculous!

Suspending edge guide Where can I buy it online? I asked my local sales advisor about this attachment and was quoted $430 AUD for it. There must be a less expensive option...

I have searched ebay already for these items with mixed results. Hence my reaching out to any LSC 8B-2 specialists here to provide a direct lead to compatible and fair-priced pieces.

Hopefully this thread can demystify this machine. I look forward to any responses.

Kind regards

Rod

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 13, 2021 by RodS
model number incorrect in original post

[Constabulary]

Lots of questions.

I can speak for the Adler 69 which technically is a very similar machine.

The basic machine is the same - the difference between the two is the arm cover plate, feed dog, presser foot set and throat plate which are interchangeable.

Basically you can turn the "regular" model into a binder machine and vice versa.

If you have a binder machine and want to do regular sewing you can remove the binder attachment and you are done BUT the binder bracket is moving back and forth and you still have the 2 screw post that hold the binder bracket - so that's the cheapest solution. The better and cleaner more professional solution is replacing the throat plate, feed dog, presser foot set and the binder bracket (this will be replaced by an arm cover plate).

A swing away binder is usually used on a standard machine / a machine w/o synchronized binder only. I have not seen a SAW Binder on a synchronized binder machine yet.

You can DIY flat bed attachments if you are DIY guy or gal or maybe a Pfaff 335 oder Adler 69 attachment could work too

Forum search: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=flatbed+attachment+site%3Aleatherworker.net%2Fforum%2F

You can buy swing away binders on ebay for bargain prices you just need a adapter bracket for your machine - can be DIY too or you look up a machine specific adapter bracket.

 

Edited June 13, 2021 by Constabulary

[Constabulary]

2 hours ago, Constabulary said:

You can buy swing away binders on ebay for bargain prices you just need a adapter bracket for your machine - can be DIY too or you look up a machine specific adapter bracket.

I meant the suspending edge guides here - sorry.

[RodS]

2 hours ago, Constabulary said:

Lots of questions.

I can speak for the Adler 69 which technically is a very similar machine.

The basic machine is the same - the difference between the two is the arm cover plate, feed dog, presser foot set and throat plate which are interchangeable.

Basically you can turn the "regular" model into a binder machine and vice versa.

If you have a binder machine and want to do regular sewing you can remove the binder attachment and you are done BUT the binder bracket is moving back and forth and you still have the 2 screw post that hold the binder bracket - so that's the cheapest solution. The better and cleaner more professional solution is replacing the throat plate, feed dog, presser foot set and the binder bracket (this will be replaced by an arm cover plate).

A swing away binder is usually used on a standard machine / a machine w/o synchronized binder only. I have not seen a SAW Binder on a synchronized binder machine yet.

You can DIY flat bed attachments if you are DIY guy or gal or maybe a Pfaff 335 oder Adler 69 attachment could work too

Forum search: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=flatbed+attachment+site%3Aleatherworker.net%2Fforum%2F

You can buy swing away binders on ebay for bargain prices you just need a adapter bracket for your machine - can be DIY too or you look up a machine specific adapter bracket.

 

Hi Constabulary!

I appreciate your advice, I have read your replies in other threads here too. You are a legend!
It's great to know that I can change the 8B-2 model into the 8BV-2 with the suggested parts.

In regards to the swing away binder for the 8B-2, I'm hoping it has two screw holes on the arm cover plate to attach the swing away binder to.
Btw I found a Japanese website (I had to google translate the website to navigate because a brother was lost!)  that offers a flatbed attachment for 8B-2, but I'm not sure if they ship to Australia. I sent them an email to confirm this or not. And it's not $1300 AUD,  they are selling it at $170 AUD!!! I really hope they can ship here or worldwide for any other 8B-2 owner.


I do feel like I'm hunting for these complementary attachments haha... any help is appreciated!

23 minutes ago, Constabulary said:

I meant the suspending edge guides here - sorry.

All good, I figured! Thanks again 

[SARK9]

The Mitsubishi CU-865-22 is a very similar (Japan made) machine, and its arm assembly seems to be copied from the "old casting" Pfaff 335 mechanically. There are quite a few clones of this very popular small cylinder arm machine out in the wild.

I have used a couple of the generic 335 -style synchro arm covers (sold on Ebay & elsewhere), and they seem to fit fairly well. To change from a fixed arm cover to the synchro, you do have to replace the needle plate, feed dog, and presser feet to allow the parts to mount in the correct proximity for the binder to do an acceptable job. The photo you show with a "flatbed attachment"  doesn't have the pivot point "axle" for the synchro arm cover to swing from, but that may be removable on the Seiko models. On my Mistubishi, when I change from a synchro arm cover to a stationary plate, I use a DIY version that has a relief milled in the underside to allow the feed dog driving arm to move back-and-forth normally, yet has no open hole in the upper surface to snag some of the odd work pieces I make sometimes. The pivot point in the arms I use still have the hole for the spring loaded retainer, which I use for mounting and locating aids. I've made up several fixture plates with different configurations to allow experimental setups for different guides and binders.....mostly I adapt the "double fold" binders to my machine because the color choices for tape or webbing are pretty limited. 

-DC

[LindanHotAir]

There is a video of a vibrating binder posted by Robert Collier to the FB Vintage Industrial Sewing Machine group. It is driven by a pin that drops into a hole in the feed dogs.

[RodS]

12 hours ago, SARK9 said:

The Mitsubishi CU-865-22 is a very similar (Japan made) machine, and its arm assembly seems to be copied from the "old casting" Pfaff 335 mechanically. There are quite a few clones of this very popular small cylinder arm machine out in the wild.

I have used a couple of the generic 335 -style synchro arm covers (sold on Ebay & elsewhere), and they seem to fit fairly well. To change from a fixed arm cover to the synchro, you do have to replace the needle plate, feed dog, and presser feet to allow the parts to mount in the correct proximity for the binder to do an acceptable job. The photo you show with a "flatbed attachment"  doesn't have the pivot point "axle" for the synchro arm cover to swing from, but that may be removable on the Seiko models. On my Mistubishi, when I change from a synchro arm cover to a stationary plate, I use a DIY version that has a relief milled in the underside to allow the feed dog driving arm to move back-and-forth normally, yet has no open hole in the upper surface to snag some of the odd work pieces I make sometimes. The pivot point in the arms I use still have the hole for the spring loaded retainer, which I use for mounting and locating aids. I've made up several fixture plates with different configurations to allow experimental setups for different guides and binders.....mostly I adapt the "double fold" binders to my machine because the color choices for tape or webbing are pretty limited. 

-DC

Impressive!
One day, I hope to be as confident as you and be able to make my own DIY arm cover plates. 

4 hours ago, LindanHotAir said:

There is a video of a vibrating binder posted by Robert Collier to the FB Vintage Industrial Sewing Machine group. It is driven by a pin that drops into a hole in the feed dogs.

Thanks, I will check this out!