gowlerk 2,246 #26 December 6, 2014 Reverse is nice, but only a little nice. If you find a good machine at the right price it's not hard to work without it.Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spooky52 0 #27 December 6, 2014 I've got one of those. Came from Harbor Freight. Good machine but I have trouble keeping up with the speed. Damn that thing eats material. The biggest problem I have with it is the thread breaking. Drives me crazy. Of course, THAT is a short trip. :-)If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
highspeeddirt 0 #28 December 6, 2014 i got a twin needle Sirubu dba515 (knockoff of a singer 312)off ebay for $55. it needed a new motor, but i already had one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justme12001 0 #29 December 6, 2014 I put a smaller (2")pulley on the motor, the original was either 4 or 4.5". It does help some, but it is still fast and is hard to control the start up speed. I am thinking about putting a servo motor on it. Thought I would try changing the pulley first as it is the cheaper option. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,246 #30 December 6, 2014 QuoteI'd like to learn more about rigging now that I'm hooked on skydiving, how much of a handicap is it to not have a walking foot machine? Very long a complicated topic. But basically the more layers of material, and heavier materials, the more you need complicated feeding systems. In rigging work you need several different machines in the end, because each one does a different job well. When you are starting it's always a struggle to find machines that are a compromise between cost, space, and the ability to preform more than one job. The Juki you are using is a great machine for light garment sewing, like you are using it for. But you probably have at least one other machine for when you need a zigzag stitch. In rigging a ZZ machine is a basic must have. You can start learn about the many different feed systems here: http://www.chholderby.com/industrial-sewing-machines/feeding-the-material/Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #31 December 6, 2014 Tisket .. how much of a handicap is it to not have a walking foot machine? ..................................................................................... You really only need a walking foot when you are doing container repairs. Then the walking foot helps feed multiple layers oaf Cordura, binding tape, etc. evenly. For mot canopy repairs, you only need feed dogs on the underside. The bad news is that most canopy fabric is too thin for the feed dogs to a get a good grip, so you will have to learn how to hand-feed canopy fabric. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygypsie 2 #32 December 7, 2014 gowlerk Quote He reciprocated by buying me a 1952 beauty, last month. That black 1952 Singer is a model 201-2. From the '30s to late late 50's it was the top of the line domestic Singer. The one everyone wanted, but not everyone could afford. Often called "the machinist's machine" because of the very high build quality, and the use of ball bearings where lesser machines used plain bearings. This was at a time when every household had to have a sewing machine, and it was used at least every week. They aren't hard to find now, because they made a lot of them. Most work just like new once they are cleaned up a little. This one runs beautifully ! My husband bought it for $175, from a co worker whose grandmother was going into the nursing home Evidently he didn't know its worth, but it worked out well for us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beatnik 2 #33 December 16, 2014 You can find a lot of machines for a really good price if you have some patience. I have seven industrial sewing machines and a ripcord press in my loft. Here is what I paid for them, all complete with tables, motors and heads. Bernina 217 (with cam reader) - $500 Pfaff 542 (double needle split bar w/ big bobbins) - $380 Singer 269W - $200 Brother B791 - $250 Ripcord press and tester - $275 My loft is done, now I am working on my machine shop Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,426 #34 December 16, 2014 Hi Jim, Quote Bernina 217 (with cam reader) - $500 Pfaff 542 (double needle split bar w/ big bobbins) - $380 Singer 269W - $200 Brother B791 - $250 Ripcord press and tester - $275 What is your address I need to get the old Midnight Sewing Machine Supply Company back in operation. Jerry Baumchen PS) Now you can use the word SCORE more than once. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdrop 18 #35 December 22, 2014 Looks good! I just got a singer 241-12 w/ a new motor for only $200. Like the old machines! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justme12001 0 #36 December 25, 2014 OK, so this is the opposite of a sewing machine score. So about two months ago, I was told by a guy that I work with, that our resident mechanic had several industrial sewing machines that he was interested in selling. Being the procrastinator that I am I just got around to asking him about them yesterday. Turns out he had 14 or 15(he wasn't exactly sure) they were all Singers and at least one double needle. They had been in a storage container for several years, tables and all, working when pulled out of a sewing factory by his dad. He sold the entire lot, with the container for scrap!!!!! He got $1600....I almost cried when he told me how much he got. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #37 December 25, 2014 Nothing new. I here about things like this every so often and I'm sure it happens routinely. Think of all the machines that came out of the textile industry that no longer exists in this country.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites