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 Sailrite Sewing Machine-Looking		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/15/2013 :  10:23:59  Show Profile
I need some feedback on the Sailrite machines.
I have been looking at a lot of models but the sailrite seems to be the best.
Any updates?
Thanks
Sam
Capt Sam, USCG Master Near Coastal
Isle of Hope, GA. Charleston,SC. Lake Murray, SC.
Aboard Bobbin - 1982 Standard Rig-Swing Keel #2963 Dinette Model
"On a powerboat you are going somewhere....On a Sailboat you are Already There!" Capt Sam

http://my.boatus.com//memberPhotos/6315398_1_25502.jpg
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 03/15/2013 :  11:13:32  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
Over the past 7 years, I have done quite a few 'Canvas' jobs on JD (although recently we had a Canvas company do a much better job on those bigger items like Bimini, Boom tent etc.)

We have a simple white sewing machine from Best Buy which cost about $69 and has worked great. It handles multiple layers of Sunbrella, I used it to make a Riding Sail from the Sailrite kit, made several baggies, canvas cover for the grill, etc.

But if I were to consider anything larger than a riding sail, I would spring for the Sailrite machines.

They had a storefront on State Rd84 south of us, and I got to meet and chat with their rep (seen him in their Videos) really good people, have purchased from them many times, have always been really pleased with their products and service.

Paul
Edited by - britinusa on 03/15/2013 11:14:33
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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts
Response Posted - 03/15/2013 :  13:29:08  Show Profile
I have been looking as well. The wife bought an inexpensive home use machine, and we are re-doing cushions with it. The Sailrite has a walking foot which is the biggest benefit.

I have not found a used machine, so they are $pendy, but would love to pick up a LSZ-1. They are 15% off right now , just I have not made the commitment yet.
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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts
Response Posted - 03/15/2013 :  14:55:54  Show Profile
I wrote you a long response in the C-25 forum. Please don't post the same thread everywhere...
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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2013 :  05:48:41  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by awetmore</i>
<br />I wrote you a long response in the C-25 forum. Please don't post the same thread everywhere...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, the general forum is where this belongs anyway... The other forums are for concerns with specific vessels...


Sten
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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2013 :  05:50:20  Show Profile
I have a decent Singer onboard. I wouldn't spend the money for a sailrite. Not worth it unless you are going into the biz.

Sten
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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2013 :  06:00:58  Show Profile
From what I've read, the Sailrite is an ocassional use machine, just short of full on industrial...
Seems like it is THE sought after machine, i would like to find a good used example of the LSZ-1
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2013 :  07:15:40  Show Profile
(Sten works in the Department of Redundancy Dept.)
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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2013 :  07:51:19  Show Profile
I agree that the general forum is where it belongs, but I check the C-25 forum first and responded over there. It just irks me when the same query is posted in multiple places on the same site.

The LSZ-1 isn't industrial, it is just capable of heavy duty work. It is nowhere near as fast as an industrial machine. It has zig-zag and reverse, features that would usually take two industrial machines. The arm isn't very long, which can get annoying with canvas work and sail repairs, but it keeps the machine smaller.

It is more capable at most sailboat type work than a home machine. The walking foot is a great help, as is the wide capacity under the foot. The linkage and gearing is all metal, where even nice home machines are using a lot of plastic these days. There are a variety of ways to gear it way down (that is most of what a "monster wheel" does) for increased torque and punching power. It uses larger industrial needles, so you can use threads like Tenera that don't fit so well on home machines.

It is expensive. If you've never done any sewing then buy a $10-$50 70s era Craigslist machine (this is better than a new $70 machine) and learn and practice on that. If you like it then upgrade to a Sailrite.
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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2013 :  10:01:00  Show Profile
Hey Guys
Get over the irk....

I posted in the C25 forum because that is where I thought my friends were. And ususlly have better advice and information than the rest of the other groups.

I posted in the general forum for those nice people who do not look in the C25 spot.
And for the many that do not look everywhere.

Have a fun day.
I am going sailing.
Sam
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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2013 :  16:54:20  Show Profile
I went to a couple of local sewing machine repair shops...picked up a 1950's heavy duty ALL metal machine with an add on walking foot for $80. Nothing fancy but solid. Todate I've only tackled a few tasks, e.g., sail cover, tiller cover, added industrial hook & loop fasteners to a few items ...but it has performed well so far.
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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts
Response Posted - 03/17/2013 :  19:38:04  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Stinkpotter</i>
<br />(Sten works in the Department of Redundancy Dept.)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Uh yeah, can someone explain why that happens when I post from my Droid?

Sten
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clayC
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2013 :  18:58:56  Show Profile
I followed the South Seas cursing Association for a while and there was a lot of support for the pfaff 130. I have a couple now but haven't done much with them. Check out zeusmachines.com. They are old but very well respected.

ClayC
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clayC
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2013 :  19:00:05  Show Profile
Wow....... I ment cruising!!!!!!!!!!!!
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clayC
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2013 :  19:00:44  Show Profile
I meant Meant!!!!!!!!!!
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clayC
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2013 :  19:01:25  Show Profile
I meant Meant!!!!!!!!!!
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clayC
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2013 :  19:02:46  Show Profile
Why is the rum gone?!!!!!
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Tim M
1st Mate

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60 Posts
Response Posted - 03/21/2013 :  09:46:36  Show Profile  Visit Tim M's Homepage
Sam - Thought I would relate my current Sailrite experience. I received the LSZ-1 over two weeks ago and haven't been able to get it to work right yet. I've sewn every day and spent time adjusting the machine everyday and so far have been very frustrated and very disappointed. I bought the machine directly from Sailrite expecting the best help if problems arose - also expecting a machine that was usable right out of the box - but the modern customer service model means you are assigned a case number when a problem arises and someone slowly doles out links to videos that they hope will solve your problems. You will never get to talk to someone who actually knows anything about the fine tuning of the machine or who will address your exact problem with the knowledge to come to a resolution. Factory service means customer pays the freight (60 lbs.) to and from the factory. The machine is very strong and will sew through 10 layers of vinyl but won't feed two layers of upholstery fabric. The 'walking foot' feature seems to be more of a gimmick than a useful function on this machine. I agree that you could do as well or better buying an older machine if you can find one in good condition. I've never spent $1,000 on such a poor piece of machinery. I'm hard-headed enough that I'll keep struggling to get it to work for a while longer but it does have a 30 day return (less 10% + freight of course) option. I'll let you know how I make out.
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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts
Response Posted - 03/21/2013 :  09:56:00  Show Profile  Visit shnool's Homepage
Did someone mention rum?
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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts
Response Posted - 03/21/2013 :  10:15:29  Show Profile
Tim
thanks for the feedback.
I have been looking all around and was close to doing exactly what you did. Even looked at a few aof the videos on line.
I am looking at the morse machine as well, trying to get data on it.
Please do keep me informed
Thanks
SAm
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panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts
Response Posted - 03/21/2013 :  10:33:05  Show Profile
release the Kraken
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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1800 Posts
Response Posted - 03/23/2013 :  16:22:56  Show Profile
"IF" looking for an older used machine, what brand, type, features are needed? I have a few old Singers that while being heavy duty I would not htink could handle the demands of canvas, so what machines could?????
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts
Response Posted - 03/23/2013 :  18:19:08  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by bigelowp</i>
<br />"IF" looking for an older used machine, what brand, type, features are needed? I have a few old Singers that while being heavy duty I would not htink could handle the demands of canvas, so what machines could?????
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It all depends on what you intend to do with it. I have a White brand household sewing machine, and it can sew through 2-3 layers of Sunbrella, or sailcloth, but nothing more challenging than that. It takes a powerful machine to sew through 6-8 layers of sailcloth or through leather. I have made lots of projects with mine, including mainsail covers, winch covers, hatch covers, etc., and have made simple sail repairs, but some repairs would just be too much for it. I have also made some repairs of my winter cover, which is made of a very heavy canvas. Some of the old Singers were reportedly very powerful, such as the Singer Model 306, but I have no experience with them. I have seen exhaustive discussions of the subject on Sailnet. For more information, try doing a search there for "sewing machine."
Edited by - Steve Milby on 03/23/2013 18:21:41
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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts
Response Posted - 05/03/2013 :  17:49:28  Show Profile
note on the 25 forum
yep got a sailrite
it is a tank!
sews threw anything
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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts
Response Posted - 05/03/2013 :  17:56:01  Show Profile
Tim
I got one too
quick set up and sewing heavy stuff
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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts
Response Posted - 05/03/2013 :  17:57:46  Show Profile
I did break a needle already
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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