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lifewithoutanet

Sewing machines: What makes/models are you using?

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I bought a used Pfaff 138 from a friend, then sold it to another friend when the FAA made a grave error and gave him a rigger's ticket.

I then picked up a Pfaff 1132 hobby machine to hone my skills, do general repairs and mock-ups. I'm starting to look around for another industrial machine for some other projects.

Curious to know what everyone's using now vs. what they've used before and any opinions (positive or negative) of makes/models on which they've got a bit of experience.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Info on whether you bought your machines new or used, and info about replacement parts a plus.
Thanks.
-C.

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I've been using a sailrite machine for a while now and love it. It's an industrial strength, portable, walking foot zig-zag and strait stick machine. It's also made to handle #69 and heavier thread...

http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.603010/it.A/id.3901/.f?sc=2&category=18576

It's not "standard" for the skydiving industry, but the price is right...

Ben
Mass Defiance 4-wayFS website


sticks!

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i have just bought a singer 20u industrial zig zag which i can nurse through just about any thickness on a skydiving rig.i also have a 112w double needle.

you could also do a search on sewing machines in the forums as similar questions have been asked here before.
check out ebay as well, there are industrial zig zags going quite cheap all the time. just ask the sellers lots of stupid questions, you can learn a lot about what they were using it for.
if you pick up a used industrial machine cheap dont be afraid to take it for a service straight away,it could save you a lot of frustration.

jerry , its not just lifewithoutanet who wants to know this stuff so dont go holding back on us now. tell everyone.
my hovercraft is full of eels.

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OK Almo,

I've got a Singer 269W Bar-tacker, a Singer 132K6 harness machine, a Bernina 217 zig-zag machine,
a Singer 500A (household) machine, a Singer 112W double-needle & a Pfaff 463 straight-stitch machine. Then in storage I have two Singer 31-15's, another Singer 112W dbl-needle, and another harness machine.

Wanna buy some? B|

Jerry

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i would love the harness machine but im afraid i cant afford the shipping to England, if anyone else is looking for their first machine i recommend they buy the bernina 217 from you.

the moderator may not like it if you advertise in this forum but can you tell us how much people should expect to pay for each of those machines.
my hovercraft is full of eels.

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A Singer 132k6 is a Scottish Singer Class 132 machine. It has a walking foot and if adjusted right can be made to sew most skydiving rig harness patterns. Haven't been made for some 50 years now but being Clydebuilt they last forever and parts are readily available. Modern equivalents would be the Seiko sk-2, or sk-6. Picture attached.
My machines are Singers 20ux143, 331k4, 111g156, 212u141, 7-25, 45k1, 132k6

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Yup, that's one of them.

I owned three Class 7 machines over the years and got rid of all of them & got this machine. It is NOT heavy enough to military type harnesses but does very well on sport/PEP harnesses. After all, the harness did withstand 400 lbs @ 200 MPH. ;)

The 132 is a great machine and very easy for a small person (female ?) to use. Gus Marinho at Rigging Solutions just bought one. Ask him how he likes his.

Jerry

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