Replies

1. 
   FitnessNut | Dec 30, 2003 08:34pm | #1

   I don't have a boiler steam iron, so I can't give you advice on that one. (I have a gravity feed, which I LOVE!) However, I did purchase a Europro vacuum table. It is wonderful. The suction is great, but I haven't used the blowing ability at all. Vacuum is essential for drawing the steam through the fabric and you get a perfect press. I wouldn't be without it, especially for creases in pants and fusing.

   I recommend that you buy them as two separate pieces, not as one, like the Europro table that has the iron and water reservoir built-in. I used to work for a dealer who sold them and we had problems with the seal. When it is getting repaired, you lose both the iron and the table. Besides that, the cord for the iron is shorter and you can't use it elsewhere. I frequently use my iron to steam something on the dressform.

   When I was shopping for an iron, the salesperson asked me if the iron would be on all day, every day, or if this was going to be more of a hobby without the constant use. He guided me to the gravity feed over the boiler because it is used in a professional capacity and can withstand being on daily for many hours. An industrial boiler was simply out of the question for financial reasons. I have never regretted my decision and the iron has been in constant use for 4 years.

   Sandy

   PS Where do you live?

   
   

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   Edited 12/30/2003 12:37:48 PM ET by Sandy

1. 
   rjf | Dec 30, 2003 09:55pm | #2

   Thanks for explaining the vacuum part.  I've dealt with the iron part but never heard of a vacuum table.  Sounds impressive (hmmmm, unintended pun).  I remember my grandmother's foot-operated lift presser (name excapes me).  I could never figure out they could iron a gathered sleeve on a teeny, tiny dress and I really couldn't see how you would use it for dressmaking.  But her daughters liked to give her big, important presents.      rjf

2. 
   Linda | Dec 30, 2003 11:43pm | #3

   Thanks for your reply. I live in Burlington, just west of Toronto. I wonder why LauraStar has no distributors here? Thanks for the tips about the ironing table. I at first thought that a single unit would be smart but thought that perhaps I'd like to steam other things too (never considered the repairs angle). Are Europro irons prone to leaky seals? I've come across a brand called Gazelle or Gazella made in Turkey, sold from Germany. Ever heard of them? They are a little less expensive than the Europro. In the Threads # 105, they seem to favour the boiler type of iron over the gravity fed. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts, I'm sold on the Europro table, now to find the iron. Linda C.

1. 
   FitnessNut | Dec 31, 2003 01:13am | #4

   What a small world.....I grew up in Mississauga, just down the QEW from you, but live in the Edmonton area....at least for the time being (military wife).

   I can't say for certain if the Europros are prone to leaky seals. I know though that it was a recurring problem when I sold them, but that was 6 or 7 years ago and I would expect that it should be something they would have corrected by now.

   I'm unfamiliar with the Gazelle or Gazella, or the LauraStar for that matter. I remember ages ago when the first boiler type iron became available for home sewers. It was called the Simac, made in Italy. I desperately wanted one but they were recalled after a few years. I think they had overheating problems that made them a fire hazard. So glad I didn't buy. You are right in wanting to check out the reputation of the manufacturer before buying....you never know.

   I went to design school and worked in the garment industry in Montreal before moving here 2 years ago. We used boiler irons. I have to say that my gravity feed works just as well as any I used in the industry, without the long waiting time for it to heat up. And I find it easy to fill, again without a long waiting time (for the boiler, you have to wait for it to cool down, fill it, and then wait for it to boil again). My iron doesn't take any longer than a household iron to be ready for use. It also disassembles if need be (for moving or for repair). There are pros and cons to each type of iron, many of which were addressed in the Threads article. I've always been impressed (ha, ha) with the ablity of my iron to deliver plenty of steam even at the lowest silk/wool setting.

   Good luck in finding the best iron for your needs.

   Sandy

1. 
   bellefille | Jan 06, 2004 02:57am | #5

   Ooh!  I've never heard of either kind of iron!  Which article of Threads had the article about them, do you know?  I just have a $10 Black and Decker!   

   Linda

1. 
   FitnessNut | Jan 06, 2004 03:36am | #6

   First....LOCK UP YOUR VISA CARD!!!! Don't say I didn't warn you ;-)

   Issue number 105, pages 35 to 40.

   Happy reading!

   Sandy

2. 
   bellefille | Jan 07, 2004 04:16am | #7

   It's not my Visa, it's my dh's, so I CAN'T lock it up--oh well!  LOL!

   Thanks for the info!

   Linda