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Sewing Machine Deals for the DIY Guys
- Thread starter 4090Sharps
- Start date
Those Kenmores are great machines in general, but that one appears to be from the post-metal plastic gear era. It will probably work really well, until you strip a gear. They're cheap, and if the in-laws are throwing it out already, give it a go! Just be aware that the foot on that machine is currently set up for straight stitch only. The machine itself is capable of zigzag and straight stitch.
I've never used one, but they're well regarded all-metal machines. You will even see them mounted in industrial sewing machine tables with an industrial motor. The breakable parts are easy to find replacements for on eBay or from sewing machine parts stores online.
Homebrew454
Well-Known Member
I am tempted but I have a bunch of stuff to get for my elk trip this fall. What is the foot lift on this one? Found it should be 3/8 inch. I really want a larger lift than that. Plus right now my Juki 8700 h does almost everything I want.
Plus I try to stay out of the People's Republic of Madison.
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It's 1/2". You should be able to raise it even higher to move material underneath using the knee lift. 3/8" is about the thickest you can effectively sew through.
Madison has no shortage of delicious food and beer
Homebrew454
Well-Known Member
ThanksIt's 1/2". You should be able to raise it even higher to move material underneath using the knee lift. 3/8" is about the thickest you can effectively sew through.
Madison has no shortage of delicious food and beer
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No problem. The 111W152 and 111W153 have the shorter 3/8" foot lift.
sdoyle1
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2019
- Messages
- 522
ofor
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2019
- Messages
- 1,072
I have been considering this one. I don’t know anything about these machines. Do you suspect the bobbin tangling is just a tensioning issue or problem fixed with a good cleaning? Also, how do you get a lock stitch without a reverse?I can't believe it's still available. Are you getting tempted?
Homebrew454
Well-Known Member
Bad timing, or using wrong size bobbins. Every Singer 111-based machine I've ever bought had the wrong size bobbins in the machine. The sellers always insisted no issues, but there is no way that could have been true
For no reverse:
sdoyle1
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2019
- Messages
- 522
Ok. I’m in Lodi about 30 miles north of Madison. I agree on the people’s republic of Madison comment. I try to avoid it as best I can.
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Lots of guys like me looking for a good starter sewing machine...that know nothing about what machine they should be looking for. Instead of us continually asking if XXXX is a good machine, it might be more helpful if you and a few others on this thread that actually know something about sewing would offer your list of machines that you would be looking for as a good starter machine and a few others that are higher tier that you would jump on if one popped up at a decent price. This would be really helpful.Bad timing, or using wrong size bobbins. Every Singer 111-based machine I've ever bought had the wrong size bobbins in the machine. The sellers always insisted no issues, but there is no way that could have been true
For no reverse:
I'll update it with tiers per your suggestion.
Did see that list when I started reading this thread....and then forgot about it. You’ll have to forgive me, I’m a little Sloe
Most of the machines that you listed up front are industrial machines that are hard to come by or quite pricey. I have no problem dropping the money if this is something that I will pursue long term, but having never sewn before, I’m just not sure at this point. A list of solid domestic machines that I could explore the craft with in the beginning would be much appreciated.Did see that list when I started reading this thread....and then forgot about it. You’ll have to forgive me, I’m a little Sloe
I'll leave the domestic list to someone else, as I found them too frustrating, and there are so many different ones. @bj139 is always advocating for the Singer 15-91 as a solid beginner machine. Sometimes they can be found cheap or free, other times you could get a good industrial for the same price ($100-200).
@2Sloe the machine below actually took a while to sell in your area, and is an example of a machine that will do everything you need to do at an affordable price.
Cutline Model C-225 industrial sewing machine | eBay
Walking foot industrial sewing machine will sew through fairly thick leather- great for belts and holsters. No reverse on this machine.
www.ebay.com
Thanks, appreciate the input. I’m just having trouble finding an industrial in my area. Lot’s of them up north of DC, but still kind of pricey. I will redouble my efforts and maybe I will have to drive for a day to get one. Thanks!
Swingin' Free
Well-Known Member
Any insight on this one?
