The common question: which new sewing machine?

[Federico Calboli]

(Disclaimer — I have read the previous threads on the issue).

I need a new sewing machine (I am in Tampere, Finland, so advices such as going to a school or college to see if they are selling their old suff does not apply well).  It will be used for household stuff (mostly, fixing my trousers) and making gear.  Because one thing I need fixing is ‘pockets’ in my rousers, I like the idea of a free arm (is this the correct term?).  Because of 1000D cordura, and shoulder straps, I like the idea of something reasonably powered.

I do not see myself doing fancy stitching, but having something more than simple lockstich might come handy.  I am thinking of a Janome HD 3000 — any other suggestion?

 

[Federico Calboli]

Let me add — new off the shelves might be a better choice from a standpoint of availability (did I say Finland?), and due to shipping and tax I much prefer something sold in the EU.

[Tuukka U]

I’m sure you’ve read this advice before, but I would definitely look for used machines from the 60s or so on tori.fi. The site mostly has treadle machines, but if you save the search, you should find good regular machines nearly every day. Many of these old machines have free arm, and the arm is usually small but can be extended with a collapsible “table”. I can really recommend the Husqvarna Viking/2000 series as they have a button to trade speed for torque in a 1:5 ratio.

The Janome could be decent, but it’s probably no more “heavy duty” than the normal machines from the 60s and for the price (500?) you could even find an industrial machine and a classic domestic machine, for what it’s worth.

Did you manage to sell your SO bag? ;)

[Jerry Adams]

I’ve been using a Janome for years, works pretty good.

One thing about newer machines is they have sealed bearings.  You don’t have to lubricate.  All I’ve ever done is vacuum it out a couple times.

I remember my mom’s old ~1960 machine had about 30 spots that needed a drop of oil every once in a while.  And then that accumuates lint.  I used it to make a pyramid tent, pack,…

Zigzag stitch is pretty useful

[Edward John M]

What can I say?

My wife just bought a new sewing machine that cost more than my car but it sews modern UL fabrics better than anything I have seen before and it has enough rise to allow easy quilting.

It also sews heavy duty fabrics well and takes #21 needle and  bonded nylon thread to do so

So the biggest question would be how much you have available to spend

[Federico Calboli]

I’m sure you’ve read this advice before, but I would definitely look for used machines from the 60s or so on tori.fi. The site mostly has treadle machines, but if you save the search, you should find good regular machines nearly every day. Many of these old machines have free arm, and the arm is usually small but can be extended with a collapsible “table”. I can really recommend the Husqvarna Viking/2000 series as they have a button to trade speed for torque in a 1:5 ratio.

Thanks for the input! I will look into it but modern sealed bearings are tempting!

I still have my SO bag — I was happy to sell it to you but it is a great bag and i am not really much motivated to sell it.

[Federico Calboli]

My wife just bought a new sewing machine that cost more than my car but it sews modern UL fabrics better than anything I have seen before and it has enough rise to allow easy quilting.

It also sews heavy duty fabrics well and takes #21 needle and  bonded nylon thread to do so

A name for this marvel would help me decided whether it is affordable ;)

 

 

[Edward John M]

Federico it is the new Brother Inovis vq2400

Retail here just over $3.4k-

My 12 YO Kia Cerato is only worth $2200- according to the current Blue Book

[Elliott M]

PM Sent

[Dan]

I have just bought from a sewing shop a 1980 ‘s pfaff 807. It is an aluminium body, has about 12 stiches, straight, zig zag and  3 step Zigzag  & blind  stitches are most useful. It will  sew through  4+ layers of denin, or handle 20d silnylon also worth looking out for. I paid £100=€110.

https://www.sewingonline.co.uk/machines/pfaff-800.html

I concur, Metal body or gear are OK modern plastic machines won’t cut it.

Good luck Dan

[Federico Calboli]

I have just bought from a sewing shop a 1980 ‘s pfaff 807. It is an aluminium body, has about 12 stiches, straight, zig zag and  3 step Zigzag  & blind  stitches are most useful. It will  sew through  4+ layers of denin, or handle 20d silnylon also worth looking out for. I paid £100=€110.

https://www.sewingonline.co.uk/machines/pfaff-800.html

I concur, Metal body or gear are OK modern plastic machines won’t cut it.

The Janome is meant to be 100% metal I understand (and has sealed bearings).

[Federico Calboli]

Incidentally, it’s not I am hell bent on a Janome but I would like to have something that can stitch through shoulder straps or hip belts (with a 1000D cordura in some parts) as well as dealing with 20 or 30D sil.

[Dan]

<p style=”padding-left: 40px;”>Hi federico,, 500€ is a lot of money, the only newer feature I can see is the feed mechism. Is there  a shop near you. You must try before you buy, that includes other machine used or other wise, maybe the singer4411 it gets good reviews (biased) is worth consideration. I have not used that machine. I think a all metal body (heavy granted) will do all this for less.

Good luck. The other machine that springs to mind is an Industrial Singer 20u. Used probably for the same money.</p>
Good luck Dan

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