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Industrial Sewing Machines

H

HugeBull

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2020
Messages
46
OK, guys, I'll bite. I have a line on two Singer 15s , but if you guys argue that saddles and packs push the 15 to its limits, maybe I should consider an industrial. I have found several on CL and FBM in the Chattanooga, TN area, but don't know one from another. I have found a Singer 241-12, a 241-13, a 251-4, a 451K41, a 111W155, a 281-3, and a 251-11 in my area, but I do not think that these have reverse. These are $200-300. I also found a Singer Professional near me in N GA for $400 that seems to have the knee bar for raising your foot and reverse, if I am properly interpreting the picture. There is a Consew 206RB1 (with reverse but w/o table) near me for the $600, and a Union Special double needle machine for the same. The best deals may be in Hotlanta, where I found both a 251-2 and an unknown Singer model for $100. Oh, and a gob of others a bit further from me for $400-800. I suspect that I might negotiate some of these deals a bit lower, since there seem to be so many and listings appear to be up for months.

If I were to buy an industrial, I'd like to stay on the lower end with my investment, but please help me sort through this mumbo jumbo. Is a $200-300 industrial a better value than a Singer 15-91 for about $50? Is reverse worth it if I have to pay $400? Do any of these models seem like good deals to you, or do any raise red flags? Also, can I keep this in my woodshop in the garage to keep my wife at bay, or do I need to put it indoors? I am a bit worried about a leaky oil pan... Thanks.

Hugh
 
If you are going industrial for saddles and webbing, I would highly recommend triple feed/transport (needle, feed dogs and presser feet all move/transport the material) and reverse. So far, the Consew 206-RB1 is the only one mentioned that has triple feed/transport and reverse.

I think $600 is a little high, especially for just the head.

I started out with singer 15’s. When I moved up to industrial’s, I scoured FBMP and CL every day. Good deals come up periodically and get swooped up pretty quick. At least in my area (eastern PA).

You might want to keep an eye out for used Juki-562, Juki-563, consew-206-RB1 through 4 or Juki 562/3 clones.

At the very least, maybe throw out $250 u0 to $300 for the consew if you are in a rush. Then look for a used table and buy a new servo motor.

Last year I saw a Consew 206-RB3 posted local FB MP for $500 (table and clutch motor). It sold well within the same day.
 
Keep in mind that I am not good at sewing like some of the other guys on here, but having messed around with a few machines, I would highly reccomend getting a machine with reverse. Makes back stitching for the end of a line of stitches or attaching straps so much easier/ really is quite annoying with forward-only machines in my opinion.
 
Ive made several saddles with Singer 15-91s. It not that its pushing the limits of the machine as much as limiting your choice of thread weights and ease of sewing.

I have a few industrials and still use my 15-91s, so they arent a wasted investment if you are stitching often.
 
I am a singer 15 clone man myself, but deep down lust for an industrial machine. Just not justifiable for my uses as I sew periodic small projects for the most part
 
BackSpasm said:
I am a singer 15 clone man myself, but deep down lust for an industrial machine. Just not justifiable for my uses as I sew periodic small projects for the most part
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I couldnt either, but landed some really good deals I couldnt pass up. Like $500 for a practically new Consew 206rb5.

As for 15s - I was finding them for less than $20. You won't find a better machine for the money.
 
And here is a 15-91 going for $20.

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Well, I bit the bullet on a local 15-91. Had two on FBM, but the cheaper one the seller would not respond. I paid twice what you guys have scored, but ain't looking back. Now to return it to its glory before I dive into a saddle project. I also need to order some thread and find the right needles. Thanks to you guys, I already have pages of info bookmarked. Thanks again to all.

Hugh
 
HugeBull said:
Well, I bit the bullet on a local 15-91. Had two on FBM, but the cheaper one the seller would not respond. I paid twice what you guys have scored, but ain't looking back. Now to return it to its glory before I dive into a saddle project. I also need to order some thread and find the right needles. Thanks to you guys, I already have pages of info bookmarked. Thanks again to all.

Hugh
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Hugh - feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need some help. Good luck - they are a great machine.
 
HugeBull said:
Well, I bit the bullet on a local 15-91. Had two on FBM, but the cheaper one the seller would not respond. I paid twice what you guys have scored, but ain't looking back. Now to return it to its glory before I dive into a saddle project. I also need to order some thread and find the right needles. Thanks to you guys, I already have pages of info bookmarked. Thanks again to all.

Hugh
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Congrats! Hopefully yours is as easy to get up and rolling as mine was
 
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