Replies

1. 
   marymary | Sep 21, 2008 05:45pm | #1

   Find a dealer of industrial machines in your area and go look.  There are so many different industrial machines.  Educate yourself.  There are many web sites, but a lot of them say to call for price or information.  It is hard to do that when you don't know what information you want.  Each manufacturer has a web site such as http://www.juki.com/jus.html that can get you started. 

   Industrials come in different configurations for the type of sewing you want to do - light, medium, heavy.  It has to do with the distance the hook is from the needle because of the size needle you use.

   There are different motors.  I won't have another without a Servo motor because of the noise of a clutch motor. 

   And, you can sew boat covers, seats, cushions, etc. for less.  My DD redid a boat using a home machine.  I don't recommend that, but that was all she had. 

   I have a Juki 9000DDL and will happily answer any specific questions you might have.

1. 
   user-87404 | Sep 22, 2008 04:07am | #2

   Thanks for the information, I did as you suggested and a local "SAVE" store can get an industrial machine with a servo motor that can be adjusted for speed....  He said that the name of the machine is an "Artisan" 618-1 series, and it looks like a pretty good price.  The person said that it was made by the same company that makes JUKI it is just painted differently and a different name is slapped on....  Have you ever heard of an "Artisan" before?  I will go back to the dealer and see if he has sold any locally and if the  person could be contacted.... do you think that would be a good idea?

1. 
   MaryinColorado | Sep 22, 2008 05:12pm | #3

   http://www.allbrands.com has several industrial sewing machines so you can read about them and what brands they carry.  I have never bought from them.  Also, http://www.patternreview.com might have reviews by owners of industrials.  I'll be interested to see what you discover!  Mary

1. 
   user-87404 | Oct 08, 2008 06:48am | #9

   Thanks for the information and additional websites...  I have been reading and oh my gosh...  so many options so little time, but what a way to go!  Thanks a bunch

1. 
   MaryinColorado | Oct 08, 2008 06:00pm | #14

   You're welcome.  I am interested to hear what you decide.  Mary

2. 
   marymary | Sep 22, 2008 05:46pm | #4

   From what I can find, the Artisan 618-1 is a walking foot.  Did you know that?  Is that what you are looking for?  I know nothing about this machine other than what I have read on the Artisan web site.  If you plan to do ONLY heavy duty sewing, then a walking foot would be a good thing.

   More than anything, you need to sew on the machine before you buy it, particularly if you are new to industrials.  It took me a year to decide to buy my machine.  I did a lot of looking and am very, very pleased with my choice.  This is my second industrial.

   Is the Save store a sewing machine dealer?  Allbrands does have a lot of sewing resources, but if you are new to industrial machines it would be difficult to know what to buy.  If you can find someone locally who has purchased an Artisan, who will talk with you, that would be, as Martha says, "A good thing".

   Just because two machines with different names come out of the same factory doesn't mean they are the same machine - not a particularly good business plan for one of the companies.

   There are all kinds of feet and attachments available for industrial machines.  And, they are cheaper than the equivalent feet for a home machine.  Most are interchangeable within the class of machines, but not all. 

   I can adjust the speed on my machine but I have a computer component that regulates speed, needle up/down, thread cut or not and a couple other things that I don't use because they are more suitable for factory sewing.  When you said he could adjust the speed of the Servo motor, is this a permanent adjustment?  You might not think you want the speed but after you have used the machine for a while, you will.

   Edited 9/22/2008 10:47 am ET by marymary

1. 
   user-87404 | Oct 08, 2008 06:52am | #10

   I spoke with an industrial sewer... upholstery... and the person said that the only way they would go in the future was servo motor...  2 votes for the servo.... and a walking foot as it just made the process of corners and other funky things a breeze.  I so appreciate your hints and helpful suggestions and I am obviously now more in the phase of 2 steps back to do more research and potentially hands on testing. 

   Thanks again....

2. 
   Ckbklady | Sep 25, 2008 07:39am | #5

   Hiya,

   I also thought I'd add that I see lots of terrific industrial machines on Craigslist. You may want to research a bit online and see if you can snag a deal that way on your local Craigslist. Industrial machines are expensive!

   Good luck with both your sewing and your fishing business! I LOVE crabs!

   :) Mary

3. 
   sewslow67 | Oct 01, 2008 10:50pm | #6

   Contact Jason at Montevilla Sewing in Portland, OR and ask him.  They have several shops in your area, but the main one is on (and I'm going on memory here)  SE 84th. 

1. 
   user-87404 | Oct 08, 2008 06:54am | #11

   Good idea... I am familiar with the store but only thought that they carried household machines.  I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

1. 
   sewslow67 | Oct 08, 2008 06:49pm | #15

   I'm not sure they carry industrial machines, however I have found Jason to be a very good resource and most helpful.

   PS:  Check out this link; it lists several shops in your area that carry industrial sewing machines:  http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=Industrial+Sewing+Machines+in+Portland%2C+OR&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

   I hope this helps your search a bit.  And again, good luck.

   Edited 10/8/2008 12:12 pm by sewslow67

4. 
   sandign47 | Oct 05, 2008 04:58am | #7

   You might also try look at Sewing With Style.  There's some information on that site about industrial machines.  I think it also depend on the type of sewing you plan on doing and how much of it.  Prices can really vary and they can go fairly high.

   Sandy

    

5. 
   frank547 | Oct 07, 2008 04:24pm | #8

   I met these folks at a boat show and have a machine of theirs. Not a true "industrial" machine - but less expensive and will do what you are looking to do. Also a good source for marine grade stuff...http://www.sailrite.com/I have this model - but an older version - without the "posi pin clutch. I wish i had the zig zag model in retrospect.http://www.sailrite.com/Ultrafeed-LS-1-Sewing-Machine-Straight-Stitch-Walking-Foot?sc=2&category=100064I think the walking foot is the key. Sailrite also has feet/accessories that make the difference.

1. 
   user-87404 | Oct 08, 2008 06:55am | #12

   So, were they at the Portland, OR boat show?  I went and did not see them... However, it was a very large show.  Anyway, I am going to check out the sites.  Thanks for the heads up.

1. 
   frank547 | Oct 08, 2008 02:17pm | #13

   no - sorry to mislead - I saw them at a CT boat show.  They do make the "{show circuit" though - and were helpfull when I saw them at another show.