I'm looking to learn how to sew canvas and vinyl for upholstery work. Industrial machines can go for a lot. I don't want to spend lots of money to get into something I might not like doing. Can anyone tell me about this machine? The guy wants 25 bucks for it and says it has a burnt wire on the motor.
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Is this an industrial sewing machine?
- Thread starter monster1
- Start date
rlitman
Well-known member
No. For starters, industrial machines don't have an attached motor like that. Plus Kenmore did not make industrial machines (to the best of my knowledge).
Roberts210
Well-known member
Nope. That's a vintage home-use sewing machine.
rlitman
Well-known member
Nope. That's a vintage home-use sewing machine.
And one I'd avoid like the plague at that. Stay away from a machine that has a motor that directly drives the handwheel. And pass on any machine that you can't easily get parts for. That thing needs to be put out to pasture.
nadogail
Well-known member
Not only no, BUT MOST EMPHATICALLY NO.
Stillgottimefor1
Well-known member
I agree with them all. Even vintage Singer machines are virtually worthless unless they are special. They do have lights that are worth more than the machine z
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Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
I THINK - that what you want is called a Walking Foot machine. On a normal light-duty home machine, the fabric is advanced by a serrated piece set in the bed of the machine that grabs the fabric, pressing it upwards against the presser foot, and moves it forward (or back) one stitch.
In a walking foot machine, the presser foot also moves along with the serrated piece, reducing friction and allowing the use of heavier fabric or leather. On some machines, there are two presser feet, which walk alternately.
I could be wrong about some of this, but you can probably find nice close-ups of machines in action on youtube, or where I've seen it is in the car customizing shows on TV, where they frequently show the custom upholsterers in enough detail you can see the action of their sewing machines.
Oh, and bring money.
In a walking foot machine, the presser foot also moves along with the serrated piece, reducing friction and allowing the use of heavier fabric or leather. On some machines, there are two presser feet, which walk alternately.
I could be wrong about some of this, but you can probably find nice close-ups of machines in action on youtube, or where I've seen it is in the car customizing shows on TV, where they frequently show the custom upholsterers in enough detail you can see the action of their sewing machines.
Oh, and bring money.
I THINK - that what you want is called a Walking Foot machine. On a normal light-duty home machine, the fabric is advanced by a serrated piece set in the bed of the machine that grabs the fabric, pressing it upwards against the presser foot, and moves it forward (or back) one stitch.
In a walking foot machine, the presser foot also moves along with the serrated piece, reducing friction and allowing the use of heavier fabric or leather. On some machines, there are two presser feet, which walk alternately.
I could be wrong about some of this, but you can probably find nice close-ups of machines in action on youtube, or where I've seen it is in the car customizing shows on TV, where they frequently show the custom upholsterers in enough detail you can see the action of their sewing machines.
Oh, and bring money.
Yes. Definitely need a walking foot if serious about upholstery. I bought my wife a heavy duty singer thinking I could use it for such a task. Some say yes and some say no. Maybe for joining two pieces of vinyl, but probably not for sewing heavy canvas. I think you can buy a walking foot separately depending on the model.
samss
Well-known member
My wife has a Pfaff 130 treadle machine. She can easily sew multiple layers of denim.
Cleave
Well-known member
Also consider the Sailrite LS-1 and LSZ-1 Ultrafeed. Much of the capability of an industrial machine but the size and portability of a home machine. I've had mine for 9 years and love it, have used it a lot.