WTB: Sewing machine: Pfaff 130, 138, Singer 107, 143, Brother B652, Sailrite Sailmaker
Eric Rigby
I am looking for a used industrial sewing machine for sail
repairing/making.
The ones I have been advised to look out for are: Pfaff: 130, 138, Singer:
107, 143, 20U43, Brother: B652, Sailrite: Sailmaker, but there may be
others that are suitable.
If you have one or can suggest a company which sells used machines of this
sort, I'd like to hear from you!
Thanks.
Eric Rigby.
Capt. Billy Bones
I've picked up several at Garage sales and my Pfaff 130 at the local sewing
machine shop. I also bought a Sail Rite Sailmaker brand new and it did not
work nearly as nice as the Pfaff 130---I sent the Sail Rite back for a
refund.It did not handle lightweight materals very good,at least mine
didn't. What does the Pfaff 138 do that the 130 doesn't , someone said it
was better ?
Capt Billy Bones
Eric Rigby <eri...@slip.net> wrote in article
<AF226DD6...@luf-pm1-2.freeppp.com>...
Ronald J. Spady
>I am looking for a used industrial sewing machine for sail
>repairing/making.
>The ones I have been advised to look out for are: Pfaff: 130, 138, Singer:
>107, 143, 20U43, Brother: B652, Sailrite: Sailmaker, but there may be
>others that are suitable.
>If you have one or can suggest a company which sells used machines of this
>sort, I'd like to hear from you!
I don't know where you are . . . However, the best one I know of is Sewing
Machine Service Co., Inc. in Renton, WA . . . They always have a huge
selection of used industrial machines . . . We purchased our Pfaff 130 from
them . . . They always have parts and have wonderful advice to share . . . The
Pfaff 130 is a great machine . . . especially for sails since it has a zig-zag
stitch on it . . . Next, I'd like to get a portable industrial machine with a
walking foot.
Sewing Machine Service Co., Inc.
315 Main Ave., S.
Renton, WA 98055
(206) 255-8673
P.S. You may also want to post to rec.crafts.textiles.sewing to find a place
in your area if the above isn't suitable.
cave...@dickinson.edu
I've never managed to buy any of those machines, but I have had quite
good success with rather plain old zig-zag machines made in Japan in the
late 1950's and 1960's---once I tuned them up per the hints in the
Sailrite sail repair manual and a couple of similar though less common
sources. More on that if you are interested. I've also got a good
strategy for an improved foot pedal....
Sailrite now offers a mid-priced zig-zag machine (as I recall is has the
number SR-2000) priced between the Brother B652 Sailmaker and the
cheaper Riccar Yachtsman. That same basic machine is available as a
'head' from several Chinese importers on the southeast side of So-Ho in
NYC for about $450, new, quantity 1; cheaper in volume. There ARE
several wholesalers, and English is a rare commodity, but these folks do
know their machines. I don't know the name of the Chinese manufacturer,
and the basic head comes in 3-4 variations (different stitch width,
etc.). This might be a good alternative to the machines you mention.
These same shops have a number of used machines. If you can get there,
they are true wholesale! (I suspect there are other wholesalers in San
Francisco, etc.) I was surprised to discover that zig-zag machines are
not too common on the wholesale market, being little used in most
manufacturing. You may well find the Brother B652 at one of these
places; I am told the current version of the Singer 20U is virtually
the same as the B652, but again there are several variant models of it.
As I look around in these stores, I suspect that the brand names are
almost an afterthought in the manufacturing process. The big and much
loved Bernina is also sold as a Chandler, etc.
There is a small but densely filled industrial machine store in center
city Philadelphia.
N.B.: The little Thompson walking-foot machine from Sailrite was also
in the Harbor Freight catalog last year.
Finally, if anyone wants to pick it up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, I have
a big, old Singer industrial machine that only does straight stitch,
only goes forward, has a limited stitch adjustment range, but has a lot
of room under its arm. This is a heavy-enough service machine that it
runs in an oil bath. Machine +table but no motor for $100.
Bob Cavenagh
Barbara
Can someone suggest a resource (books, web pages, etc.)
for the history of sewing machines used to construct sails for sailing
ships. I would like to know what type of sewing machine was
originally used by sailmakers in their lofts.
Thanks
Eric Rigby
In article <32FF0F...@dickinson.edu>,
cave...@dickinson.edu wrote:
>I've never managed to buy any of those machines, but I have had quite
>good success with rather plain old zig-zag machines made in Japan in the
>late 1950's and 1960's---once I tuned them up per the hints in the
>Sailrite sail repair manual and a couple of similar though less common
>sources. More on that if you are interested. I've also got a good
>strategy for an improved foot pedal....
>
Yes I am interested to hear more, please!!
>Sailrite now offers a mid-priced zig-zag machine (as I recall is has the
>number SR-2000) priced between the Brother B652 Sailmaker and the
>cheaper Riccar Yachtsman. That same basic machine is available as a
>'head' from several Chinese importers on the southeast side of So-Ho in
>NYC for about $450, new, quantity 1; cheaper in volume. There ARE
>several wholesalers, and English is a rare commodity, but these folks do
>know their machines. I don't know the name of the Chinese manufacturer,
>and the basic head comes in 3-4 variations (different stitch width,
>etc.). This might be a good alternative to the machines you mention.
>
>These same shops have a number of used machines. If you can get there,
>they are true wholesale! (I suspect there are other wholesalers in San
>Francisco, etc.) I was surprised to discover that zig-zag machines are
>not too common on the wholesale market, being little used in most
>manufacturing. You may well find the Brother B652 at one of these
>places; I am told the current version of the Singer 20U is virtually
>the same as the B652, but again there are several variant models of it.
>As I look around in these stores, I suspect that the brand names are
>almost an afterthought in the manufacturing process. The big and much
>loved Bernina is also sold as a Chandler, etc.
>
Do you have any names/addresses/phone numbers for any of these importers??
I am in Western Canada, so it's a bit hard to just drop in.
>There is a small but densely filled industrial machine store in center
>city Philadelphia.
>
Can you provide the name/address/phone number please?
>N.B.: The little Thompson walking-foot machine from Sailrite was also
>in the Harbor Freight catalog last year.
>
>Finally, if anyone wants to pick it up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, I have
>a big, old Singer industrial machine that only does straight stitch,
>only goes forward, has a limited stitch adjustment range, but has a lot
>of room under its arm. This is a heavy-enough service machine that it
>runs in an oil bath. Machine +table but no motor for $100.
>
>
>Bob Cavenagh
Thanks for your advice Bob.
Eric Rigby.
Eric Rigby
In article <01bc1641$eeae0ac0$278493cf@oemcomputer>,
"Capt. Billy Bones" <wiz...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>I've picked up several at Garage sales and my Pfaff 130 at the local sewing
>machine shop. I also bought a Sail Rite Sailmaker brand new and it did not
>work nearly as nice as the Pfaff 130---I sent the Sail Rite back for a
>refund.It did not handle lightweight materals very good,at least mine
>didn't. What does the Pfaff 138 do that the 130 doesn't , someone said it
>was better ?
>
>Capt Billy Bones
>
>
I am no expert, but a Pfaff dealer told me today that the Pfaff 130 and 230
are domestic machines and the 138 and 238 (a higher speed version of the
138) are both quite old industrial machines. Apart from that, they have
similar features. The industrial ones are still pretty expensive too!!
Eric.
>
>Eric Rigby <eri...@slip.net> wrote in article
><AF226DD6...@luf-pm1-2.freeppp.com>...
>> I am looking for a used industrial sewing machine for sail
>> repairing/making.
>>
>> The ones I have been advised to look out for are: Pfaff: 130, 138,
>Singer:
>> 107, 143, 20U43, Brother: B652, Sailrite: Sailmaker, but there may be
>> others that are suitable.
>>
>> If you have one or can suggest a company which sells used machines of
>this
>> sort, I'd like to hear from you!
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Eric Rigby.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
cave...@dickinson.edu
This is a followup to an earlier string of postings re: sewing
machines.
Many domestic sewing machines from the 1950's and 60's were sturdy, well
machined, potentially powerful. Those with cams and fancy stitches and
free arms tended to diffuse the virtues built into the cheaper flatbed
zig-zag machines through too many cams and gears, and through inclusion
of tiny parts.
MOST of these machines can be tuned up simply. One accessible info
source is the "Sail repair handbook" from Sailrite kits.
These machines can be found, often for as little as $5, at flea markets
and garage sales. They need to be cleaned well, lubricated, perhaps
adjusted, and they usually need new belts. Modern belts are cogged
high-tech materials; buy them at any sewing store (trash immediately
any 'o-ring' type belt. These are sold as one-size-fits-all
replacements and flex too much to transmit power for heavier duty
sewing.)
(BTW: reject any machine which feels rough when you turn it over by
hand, at least after oiling. I've encountered two otherwise excellent
machines which had taken a mild tumble onto their flywheels and had
their shafts bent slightly--for sail work, you want a machine with very
little internal friction.)
HERE IS MY NEAT TRICK: replace the normal foot pedal for these machines
with a cheap, effective electronic pedal which you cobble together
yourself with very little fuss or expense. The difference in low speed
performance will be quite amazing. Normal pedals use resistors, which
lose power at low speed. The sneaky part of this is that you can by a
neat electronic package for this purpose for $10-15 at your local
hardware store.
The needed part is a replacement trigger for a variable speed electric
drill. These are readily available in straight and reversing versions.
Buy the straight (non-reversing version). Then you need to add a power
cord and a holding mechanism with pedal, which could be made out of
wood. For many folks that will be enough instruction. I can work up a
more detailed instruction sheet later if needed.
With this trigger speed control on the job, you will be able to sew
heavier fabrics with more control. (Some of the most expensive new
machines use similar circuits, but a factory-made electronic pedal can
cost $100 or more.)
Bob Cavenagh