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first sewing machine shopping, Lots of help needed!

zurr4013

zurr4013

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2020
Messages
878
Location
Indiana
I would like to find some help picking out a starter machine to learn and diy basic stuff. I’m not looking to build my own saddles. Just make my own gear straps, aiders, backbands, and other cool DIY stuff. I want to learn so I can teach my kids to not be dependent on buying everything and reusing older stuff.

Found some older looking metal stuff on marketplace but no clue where to start.

Any thoughts or time helping would be awesome.

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Well you dont want the 2nd one because that is a specialty machine, not a regular sewing machine. 1st one will work fine but i wouldnt pay more than $50, but im a tight wad and you can find one for cheap or free if you are patient.

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LeanMachine said:
Well you dont want the 2nd one because that is a specialty machine, not a regular sewing machine. 1st one will work fine but i wouldnt pay more than $50, but im a tight wad and you can find one for cheap or free if you are patient.

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Exactly right, IMHO.
 
Ok thanks guys. Is there something to really look for when I’m browsing? I was just looking for something metal that looked more heavy duty. I know it’s probably a lot more than that. If anyone knows of a good one in Indianapolis area I would be interested to hear about it. Thanks again.
 
Zellersta said:
Ok thanks guys. Is there something to really look for when I’m browsing? I was just looking for something metal that looked more heavy duty. I know it’s probably a lot more than that. If anyone knows of a good one in Indianapolis area I would be interested to hear about it. Thanks again.
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I would look for a Singer 15 or clone. You can tell them because the tension dial is on the left side near the back of the machine not the left front where most are located. These typically have a higher presser foot lift than even many industrial machines. I want to add leg loops to a Trophyline saddle I bought that had them cutoff. The thickness of 3 layers of the heavy duty webbing they use is more than 5/16" thick. My industrial Singer 281 will not sew this with it's maximum lift of 1/4". The Singer 15 has a 1/2" lift and will sew it. The motor might stall and I would have to turn the handwheel but I am not going into saddle production so I don't need high throughput. The Singer 15-91 has a gear driven motor which looks like a pot on the back right of the machine (called a potted motor) which seems stronger than the belt driven models so if you find one of those even better. IMHO, most people don need an industrial sewing machine unless they are starting a sewing business. Maybe you could measure the presser foot lift if it is a clone.
This is a 15-91. Price seems good. :D

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Last edited:
This one looks cool if that counts for anything?!

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Family friend said they have a Janome I can get until I find something else?
 
Zellersta said:
This one looks cool if that counts for anything?!

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Family friend said they have a Janome I can get until I find something else?
Click to expand...
That one looks like a 15-90 clone with the belt driven motor. It should work well. $80 is about twice what I would pay. Offer them less since you have to fix the wiring.
 
If you can find a singer 211 I'd highly highly recommend it. It was my first machine and I still use it all the time. It can sew anything from layers upon layers of webbing down to thin t shirt material. I have made numerous pouches, backpacks, knaiders, swaiders, shirts, replacement straps, etc and it's never bogged down or gave me any trouble. For what we do it's perfect. The machine is from the 80s. I found it at a local shop and paid around 700 for the machine, table, and accessories.
 
Yeah people are proud of their stuff since northern Indianapolis is “high society” in their minds. Is the wiring fix easily done? Remember talking to a newbie.
 
Zellersta said:
Yeah people are proud of their stuff since northern Indianapolis is “high society” in their minds. Is the wiring fix easily done? Remember talking to a newbie.
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You could remove the wire from the plug and put heat shrink tubing on each of the leads and reassemble the plug. It looks like half of the wire is still good.
 
Murph4028 said:
If you can find a singer 211 I'd highly highly recommend it. It was my first machine and I still use it all the time. It can sew anything from layers upon layers of webbing down to thin t shirt material. I have made numerous pouches, backpacks, knaiders, swaiders, shirts, replacement straps, etc and it's never bogged down or gave me any trouble. For what we do it's perfect. The machine is from the 80s. I found it at a local shop and paid around 700 for the machine, table, and accessories.
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I second this. Once you've had heavy duty industrial machine, there is no looking back. Shop around, and
with a little patience, you'll find a good deal.
 
Murph4028 said:
If you can find a singer 211 I'd highly highly recommend it. It was my first machine and I still use it all the time. It can sew anything from layers upon layers of webbing down to thin t shirt material. I have made numerous pouches, backpacks, knaiders, swaiders, shirts, replacement straps, etc and it's never bogged down or gave me any trouble. For what we do it's perfect. The machine is from the 80s. I found it at a local shop and paid around 700 for the machine, table, and accessories.
Click to expand...

I agree. I started with all metal domestic machines. I then found a tacsew t111-155. It has compound feed and works great. Then just last night I found an amazing deal on a Juki dnu-1541. Needless to say the tacsew will be up for sale as soon as I get a servo motor mounted on the Juki.


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sdoyle1 said:
I agree. I started with all metal domestic machines. I then found a tacsew t111-155. It has compound feed and works great. Then just last night I found an amazing deal on a Juki dnu-1541. Needless to say the tacsew will be up for sale as soon as I get a servo motor mounted on the Juki.


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Not sure where you’re located or your budget but I just listed my tacsew in the classifieds here.


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check local auction sites eBay , and look for older industrial machines from the 1920-70s they're built far better and easier to work on then machines now days my dad's gf has several Singers from those time frames
 
I bought 2 sewing machines I saw on FB marketplace 5 minutes from my house. One is a Singer 201 and the other is a Singer 66. I got both for $50. I didn't have a 201 and I saw many people claiming it was the best sewing machine Singer ever made, so I couldn't resist. The 201 is dirty but not rusty. The 66 is dirty and rusty. After oiling I was sewing by hand power on the 66, rusty bobbin holder and all. I brought a Singer cord with me to test the motor on the 201 and it was trying to turn it but with no oil it was locked. After oiling, it was running great. I figured the 201 was worth $30 and the 66 about $20. The motor and light on the 66 has the cords cut but this motor will probably work. The lady said they were moving and were not taking these. She didn't want to trash them. I probably could have bought both for $30. She was asking $60 for both and she took my $50 immediately.
 
This one might be good. Morse machines are generally heavy duty and made in Japan.

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This might be good if you have the space and don't mind trying a treadle machine.

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This one looks identical to the 66 I just bought.

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This one is probably good if you have the space. They most don't run because the oil has dried up. The knob is missing on the front. Price seems good.

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