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  1. #1
    Senior Member Bulldawg's Avatar
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    Good Starter Thread Injector?

    Ok....so it's a slippery slippery slope....

    But sometimes it's just so much fun to slide!!

    So I have never sewed in my life...I mean "made gear"...but I thought it might be fun and interesting to try. So, looking for recomendations of a good starter machine. Not looking to spend a ton, saw some machines at Walmart in the 80-140 range. Thoughts?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Optimus's Avatar
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    Check out Craigs list . . . I was patient for a few weeks and ended up scoring a Mid 80's Kenmore (works great) with a two drawer cabinet for . . . Wait for it . . . $20 ! ! !
    I could not be happier.

    Slopes

  3. #3
    Senior Member Optimus's Avatar
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    P.S. . . . Slippery slopes . . . well, sorta my thing.

  4. #4
    MacEntyre's Avatar
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    I found an '80s "Made in Japan" Necchi on Craig's List for $80, and a '60s cast iron framed "Made in Italy" Singer from a local church for $50. Older models are desirable, especially made in Japan, USA or Europe (no plastic gears). Before buying a machine, look around and see if there is a local shop that refurbishes sewing machines. That's as good as a warranty. Whatever you do, don't buy a brand new sewing machine!

    - MacEntyre
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
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  5. #5
    Senior Member Quoddy's Avatar
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    Just about any machine will sew nylon and fabric type materials. Most of the machine types in that price range will not sew anything but the very thinnest webbing. I have a 1946 Singer 15-88 set up just for heavy layered webbing and use a Morse machine for everything else.
    I my Warbonnet

  6. #6
    Senior Member te-wa's Avatar
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    the machine i use for every piece of diy gear ive ever done, including every te-wa uq, has been on a machine i got at sale for $100

    John nailed it, any machine will sew ripstop nylon.

    i will likely not buy a new machine unless this one breaks beyond repair. then, i may go commercial.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Bulldawg's Avatar
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  8. #8
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    My preference is to go to a local dealer and see what they have used. I know some folks think dealers are a rip off but I don't agree for the most part. If you buy a used machine off ebay or craigs list you should probably have it checked out by a dealer anyway. (Personal opinion). They usually have a pretty good selection of older thread injectors which they got for a song and can turn around at a reasonable expense. Beyond that... I think it's like buying a pig in a poke.

    It should probably be noted as others know it but I haven't said it... I am somewhat of a sewing machine snob. It is the product of a wife who sews professionally and knows what she wants. I've picked up a few tips along the way.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  9. #9
    MacEntyre's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by te-wa View Post
    i will likely not buy a new machine unless this one breaks beyond repair. then, i may go commercial.
    IMHO, if you go with an industrial machine, you still should buy a refurbished older machine.

    Rev is right... my $50 Singer required service. I tried, but I couldn't get it apart to clean it up. A good local dealer is the only warranty you can get on an old machine.

    Bulldawg, I like the Singer in Matthews best... it looks like an oldie goldie, and a good price!

    - MacEntyre
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
    www.MollyMacGear.com

  10. #10
    New Member Bunn's Avatar
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    I have been sewing on various models sold at the local Wal-Mart for decades now. I used to do a lot of work modifying and repairing military load carrying gear and packs, which meant sewing through all of the various nylons to include the heavier webbing and I personally have never had a problem. Granted, you can not sew through multiple layers of heavy webbing without breaking a lot of needles, but I have found very few times I needed to do that. And in the world of hammocks and hammock accessories I cant think of anything you would need to to complete just about any project. Good needle and thread selection is as important as any of the machine choices as well.

    And for me, a $60 machine that lasts me three or so good years is worth it. I guarantee I get my monies worth out of every one of them.

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