Sewing machine

[Boby_Hunter33]

Saw this machine at costco for $150. (Heavy duty model 4452)
My intention is to use it for small fabric repairs and canvas works. I do not have the skill to fix sails so if it can take sails material it is not important for me.
Anybody bas experience with this machine?
Thanks

 

[jssailem]

You need to know what material is used in manufacturing the internal gears and parts. Singer has been able to cut their costs be the use of plastic parts. For light work you can often get by with these parts. To drive the needle through several layers of canvas and to be able to move the cloth under the needle you need strong metal parts. Even if you are using light thin cloth the even movement of the cloth impacts the quality of your results.

 

[Ron20324]

The metal frame is a plus. I have a singer AND a Sailrite.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I have done a fair amount of canvas repair and new fabrication. IMHO you really need to have a machine with a walking foot like the Sailrite. Sailrite isn't the only machine that has this feature, but this feature is necessary.
The other feature to consider is how much material you can get under the arm. Short arms like the Singer pictured will limit the scope of your intended work. The Sailrite that I use only has a 10-11" arm (I can't remember the actual length) and it can be quite a trick to do some of the work I have attempted.

 

[KD3PC]

singer is not worth carrying it home, what used to be a top brand is not. Simply turning the wheel will knock it out of time and there is no solution, except another machine. Been there. I use a Husqvarna and the sailrite is the ultimate. Power and walking foot are the drivers

 

[justsomeguy]

Anybody bas experience with this machine?

These guys.
https://www.techgearlab.com/reviews/electronics/sewing-machine/singer-4452-heavy-duty

 

[DRhoads]

I got one of those 3 years ago as a newbie to sewing. Concur that a walking foot like Sailrite is a BIG benefit but can be overcome with a little imagination and patients. I have had no issues with several layers of canvas, isinglass (40), sail cloth, etc. just use big needles. Of course being new to sewing I wouldn't have known the difference between machine performance or mine. Still in use for little projects around the boat.

 

[MetricMountie]

We purchased a brand new JUKI DL-8700 at the estate sale of a local dealer last winter at approximately a 1/3 of the normal price. Unit included the machine, industrial stand, table separate motor and all the accessories. Sews through anything that we have had to repair to this point, dodger, sail cover, sails lots of power for the tough stuff. Portability is the only issue you'd never drag it aboard if you were cruising. Check out the used units on EBay.

 

[Ward H]

Here's a great thread on sewing machines for marine use.
https://www.sailnet.com/forums/gene.../218434-choosing-domestic-sewing-machine.html
Based on that article I ended up buying one machine, then another. One a late 60s machine and an all cast late 50's machine. Both had metal gearing. I used both, trying to figure out which one was best, to install a gusset to enlarge a sail cover for my O'day 25. Then restitched the entire cover. I liked the heavier, all cast, late 50's machine as it didn't move as much as the lighter late 60's machine.
I made a few other covers before buying a Sailrite machine. The Sailrite allowed me to restitch my dodger and replace the windows.
You can do a lot with a 60s' era Singer that has metal gears and they can be found on Craigs List for less than $50.

 

[Boby_Hunter33]

Thanks Ward,
If the older machine was so good, what was the reasoning for the expensive sailrite?

 

[Ward H]

Christmas present from my wife. I had mentioned the Sailrite machine several times and she had listened to me talk about the differences in the machines. I could have stayed with the cheaper machines for the work I was doing at the time but I wanted to try more complicated projects.
So she gave me a present.

 

[Boby_Hunter33]

Ok, now please elaborate what you can do with the sailrite cant do with the older one.
Thanks

 

[MikeHoncho]

I'm new to sewing and have had my Sailrite for about a month now. I have re-stiched my Dodger made from vinyl with very thick windows, made a bunch of cockpit rope bags and just finished re-stiching my sail cover (first actual fabric over done). What I have learned.....it would be impossible for me to do it without the walking foot. I had issues with the sailcover's bulk even with the walking foot. That for me, as of right now, is the dramatic difference. If the other machine isn't all made from steel then it's a no brainer. All of the moving parts, and when the needle punches through a stack of layers, plastic wouldn't survive. As long as I can get it to go under the foot it seems to make it through. I may need to assist the start with the handle on the wheel but one going it goes. Hope that helps.

 

[Ron20324]

... If the older machine was so good, what was the reasoning for the expensive sailrite?

You can sew more layers and plastics. Longer stitch length. Zig Zag, maybe. Can use larger thread and bigger needles. I had no trouble sewing 6 layers of Sunbrella on my Wards $100.00 machine, but that was all. Having done my own sewing work has saved me more than the price of the SailRite machine.

 

[MikeHoncho]

And you can resell it and not loose.

 

[artboas]

An old saying......

There is no such thing as a free lunch
It’s either not free
Or it’s not lunch

 

[MikeHoncho]

Used are going for well over 1/2 of new. Considering you use it while not paying someone else to do it. That's a a pretty good lunch.