Looking for a Low Cost Thread injector

**SkunkApe** · 06-06-2012, 12:16

What should I get? I don't need electronics or brand names. Just a basic machine. Under $200 would be best.

**nacra533** · 06-06-2012, 12:49

Goodwill or garage sales. Plenty for less than $50. Make sure it's working, if you can. If it runs, it usually can be timed and set up to work great.

Unless it's a free machine from grandma, I would not fool with a straight stitch only, get at least a zig zag machine. You don't use it often other than bar tacks, but it's worth having.

**SkunkApe** · 06-06-2012, 12:51

Originally Posted by nacra533

Goodwill or garage sales. Plenty for less than $50. Make sure it's working, if you can. If it runs, it usually can be timed and set up to work great.

Unless it's a free machine from grandma, I would not fool with a straight stitch only, get at least a zig zag machine. You don't use it often other than bar tacks, but it's worth having.

Ok, good info!

**SkunkApe** · 06-06-2012, 13:13

What about these?

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/art/2997370883.html

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/hsh/3000802526.html

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/fuo/2969918327.html

**SkunkApe** · 06-06-2012, 13:16

The 1975 Singer Sewing Machine 560 is still available and is $15. There is an issue:

"A few months ago the end of a needle broke off and fell down into the sewing machine and it will not pull the thread back up through now. The machine still works though. "

I wonder if I could fix that myself?

**nacra533** · 06-06-2012, 13:33

I like the Singer or the Kenmore. The Kenmrore appears to have a lot of cams. I'm a sucker for cams, for some reason. Maybe I have latenet tendencies for making something pretty with scalloped edges

The singer needle problem is likely an easy fix, but if it's not, and needs to be timed, you may end up spending another $80 on service.

What kind of machine can you get for $95-$100??

I am a fan of the older all metal Kenmore's. My mom had one she used fairly heavily for years. She stopped using it "because it skipped stitches". I took a look at it, cleaned it and changed the needle and it works great.

Used sewing machines are a dime a dozen and you can get most of them cheap. Don't rush to buy one. Spend a little time looking around and you'll likely find a true gem (either price or quality) that will serve you well and you can sell for more than you paid for it later.

**Boothill** · 06-06-2012, 14:10

Originally Posted by nacra533

Goodwill or garage sales.

^^^this^^^

got mine at a goodwill type store, a early 70's all metal singer stylist 533 runs like a top, haven't had to put any $ into it going on a year and it was FREE!

boot

**Pag** · 06-06-2012, 14:44

There are tons of machines that can and would work great. The ones you listed look fine, quick search turned up this one in jax

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/for/3041421429.html

Just find something you can use that will be easy to fix/service. Machines eventually will need service if you use them long enough. Brands like royal make me concerned because it "could" be difficult to find parts.

**FLRider** · 06-06-2012, 14:55

Have you looked at Ramblinrev's sewing machine guidelines? I found them very helpful when I went to look for a machine.

Hope it helps!

**DemostiX** · 06-06-2012, 15:07

Buy a 40s to 70's all-metal machine, including Japanese machines made for department stores.. Look inside for plastic parts, whether gears or cams. Better not to have them. Chances are the machine may have been retired because the single one of them cracked.

"Thread injector" may mislead. Sounds too forceful. A sewing machine requires that a loop of thread be formed and passed around the smooth bobbin holder. All it takes for stitches not to form is stuck lint or a gouge or scratch to hang up that loop of momentarily formed thread, which must appear at just the right time. So, cleaning and sometimes polishing of the bobbin holder is all that is sometimes required. And some working of moving parts with fresh sewing machine oil.

I'd rather pay a qualified tech to tune and possible time a machine already here than feed the supply chain with twice as much money for <$200 from China which is a toss-away and made with the calculation that it won't have to operate for 100s of hours. (Unless, of course, you want to do decorative work.) But, you can do a lot of what the tech will do, just by cleaning and oiling every linkage and bearing area, turning the hand-wheel over the course of days until it is all free.

If the reports of those who byy a cheap new Singer or Brother machine today are not biased, they are no bargain in potential for frustration.