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Could anyone suggest an old sewing machine model that won't break the bank but can handle fabrics/ materials that are commonly used in outdoor kit.I'd like to start modifying some bits and pieces and perhaps making up stuff myself.Many thanks
Bill
No, but I recommend watching this guy on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/thejasonofalltrades/videos
He does various outdoorsy sewing projects including backpacks, messenger bags and Camelbaks.
e.g.
I have just got a singer 99k for just this purpose. The older singers have full metal gears so can sew multiples layers of leather - Far more capable than cheap newer machines.
First project is going to be a new sail cover...
Blokey above has multiple machines and talks about them a fair bit. A "walking foot" seems to be fairly important when working with heavy duty fabrics.
I have a really basic old one (probably 70s, maybe earlier - the manual contains some advice that would definitely be considered highly sexist today, and advice about sewing new-fangled spandex) I paid about £30 for. I think it's a Brother. I would recommend something similar - they're rock solid. I've sewn several layers of 16oz canvas with it.
Basic is good too. I'm no expert, but I've never found it needs more features (don't know what they'd be to be honest). It sews in a straight line, and zigzags (useful for bombproof repairs).
New ones just don't seem to be as well built. My mum (who's a retired upholster and has an industrial sewing machine in the workshop) recently bought what should be a fairly decent machine for working indoors. I had to repair it as some plastic parts had become disengaged inside.
Really useful thing to have around, a sewing machine. It's surprising how often I use it. You start doing little repairs, then you realise you can modify stuff, then you realise it's not that hard to make certain stuff you can't buy or is very expensive for what it is.
I have a Husqvarna (it matches my chainsaw)* and it will bash it's way through most stuff.
Basic rule is the heavier the better. Mine could be used for weight lifting training.
Hth
* Not really
I have a modern Toyota Jeans bought off ebay. Its a tough little machine. I've been surprised at what it will sew through. I've made a few messenger bags with it sewing through canvas, liner and webbing, 4 layers with no probs. Think I paid around £70 for it. Can pick up older singers for reasonable price but I've found them a little temperamental with the thread tension and difficult to get set up correctly. The Jeans does zigzag stitch and sews in reverse which is important and is easy to set up.
Dunno, my missus has more sewing machines than I have bikes, and cost as much. She has 6, 2 Electronic touch screen embroidery machines, electronic touch screen overlocker, an overlocker, a basic sewing machine, and a freehand quilting machine. I only have 5 bikes 🙂
My singer is so old that the motor is an optional extra.
Yes the heavier the machine the better.
Don't be put off by age. My overlocker is a Rimaldi make, very old but a super machine.
Advice is buy the best you can afford and do some research.
My mother in law is a fan of New Home, she has a few machines. Their machines especially the older ones look well made and strong.
Sewing machines do drift out of whack though and need regular adjusting and servicing.
Also, needles don't last long before they start ****ing things up, which is long before they break or get blunt.
Elna, precision hewn from granite*. The Nicolai of home sewing machines.
Buy a decent set of chunky needles and the best synthetic thread you can. Don't forget to change the bottom reel as well. Wear goggles when doing thick stuff & keep the speed LOW. I occasionally nick my mum's elna for this kind of work. They're all belt drive underneath so you might have to assist the motor if it's really think material.
*not literally
Elna, precision hewn from granite*
my mum had an old Elna Supermatic 2 that I used to use to tailor my army cadet uniform when a kid.
Seriously well built.
Just bought an Elna Explore 320 which seems pretty good but not the tank the Supermatic was.