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First back pack and new machine recommendations ?

B

Bruce G

Active Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2018
Messages
138
Really enjoyed this project. This was the first time using a sewing machine and I leaned a lot. figured I would start with a small pack for my son. Already know what to do differently on the next one. Here’s my problem. My singer 328k struggled to do the shoulder straps and some of the thicker stuff. Maybe I’m doing something wrong. Maybe I’m trying to get this machine to do more than it can. I’m looking at the singer 4432 heavy duty. Would you guys sway me towards a used juki or do you think this will do what I need. I want to be able to sew through multiple layers of webbing. I’d hate to get the 4432 and then upgrade down the line to something better. What would you guys recommend.
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If you're going to jump head first into the gear making rabbit hole, just bite the bullet and spring for a Juki DDL-8700H. IMO it is the BEST non walking foot machine there is. Skip spending a little here and there on lesser machines when you're just going to end up here anyway. Based on your first project, I'd say your natural skill set is WAY above average. Go for it! You're welcome..

https://goldstartool.com/juki-ddl-8...ght-lockstitch-industrial-sewing-machine.html
 
ckossuth said:
If you're going to jump head first into the gear making rabbit hole, just bite the bullet and spring for a Juki DDL-8700H. IMO it is the BEST non walking foot machine there is. Skip spending a little here and there on lesser machines when you're just going to end up here anyway. Based on your first project, I'd say your natural skill set is WAY above average. Go for it! You're welcome..

https://goldstartool.com/juki-ddl-8...ght-lockstitch-industrial-sewing-machine.html
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I would echo Carl's thoughts on this. I started on $25 Brother my wife brought to the marriage, my skill outgrew that in about a week, then I picked up a 15 Jap clone for a great price, I sold it for what I had in it. The only real money I've been out of pocket for a machine at this point is what I paid for my 8700-H, but then again I've already paid for it with custom work several times over. I got to a point fairly quickly that my abablities were being limited by the 15 Jap clone, which was frustrating to me.
 
Thanks for the reply’s. I was looking to spend closer to the $300 price range but the buy once cry once phrase comes to mind. I see the juki comes either assembled or dissaembled. Is this something straight forward to put together? I am seriously considering it. Will that machine go through multiple layers of webbing ?
 
Bruce G said:
Thanks for the reply’s. I was looking to spend closer to the $300 price range but the buy once cry once phrase comes to mind. I see the juki comes either assembled or dissaembled. Is this something straight forward to put together? I am seriously considering it. Will that machine go through multiple layers of webbing ?
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They are pretty easy to put together and I believe there are some assembly videos on YouTube. It will sew through about anything you would want to build. @Squirrels and I have both sewn through 1/8” HDPE plastic with these machines making pack frames with no issues.


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I just bought a juki 8700H from gold star tool but I bought it on Ebay from them because they offer free shipping on Ebay. If you buy it from the website you have to pay a ridiculous amount if you are shipping it to a residential address. $719 on Ebay and its pretty straight forward to put together. I did mine before I thought to find the YouTube videos. Just made 12 knaider swaider sets on it and I will say it takes some getting used to. I turned the speed all the way down and it was still way too fast until I got a feel for the foot pedal.
 
My shipping direct from gold star was 99 cents. It take a little getting use to the servo but you will get accustomed to it quickly.
 
@JCLINE84 it’s an entirely different animal isn’t it?! There’s nothing like a servo motor once you get used to it!


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10 layers of 17337 mil spec webbing like butter
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Mine
Squirrels said:
My shipping direct from gold star was 99 cents. It take a little getting use to the servo but you will get accustomed to it quickly.
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Was going to be like $130 shipping lol. And yes by the time I was finished sewing tonight it felt a lot better. Worst part is the day after I ordered mine on Ebay I got a coupon for 20% off any one purchase on Ebay. Would have saved me quite a bit off $719
 
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Should i
ckossuth said:
@JCLINE84 it’s an entirely different animal isn’t it?! There’s nothing like a servo motor once you get used to it!


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should I be concerned with the slight hissing or air leaking sound the motor makes when you're sewing really slow across a 1 inch piece of webbing??
 
I
Squirrels said:
Me either.
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If you've ever heard the sound the old carbon foot pedals make when you're sewing slow it's that sound. Like a slight hissing or sizzling sound. It's only when you're trying to really go slow to get the needle to bury on the edge of the webbing so you can raise the presser foot and make a turn
 
Oh yeah I've already figured out bonded thread is a must if you're going to be sewing at a higher speed on the juki
 
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