tkee

I have the opportunity to buy an older industrial Singer for $75. It comes with the table and uses 2 cycle motor oil which is in a compartment to the right underneath the machine. Does anybody have any experience with these? Would it work for quilting? I'm a little afraid of the speed and having enough room for it. The lady selling it used to have a curtain making business. I have no experience at all with industrial machines and would like to know the pros and cons. It works and the stitching looks nice. Thanks!

mindless

I had a Singer 25U industrial machine....I loved it! It would sew thru denim & quilts easily. There was a lot of throat space, so I could do very large projects easily. I bought it used from a retired upholsterer/ drapery maker. It had a 2 cycle motor also, but it was maintainence (sp?) free...I didn't have to oil it. It really didn't take long to learn how to use it....you can get used to the speed just like on any other electric machine. I sold it for $385.00 back in 2009 because I moved & had no room for it in my new place. I miss using it! But...it was super heavy! Not all that easy to move around. The table was probably 5-6 feet long. The only con I had was getting it serviced regularly. Too heavy to take anywhere without disconnecting the head. I was fortunate...I found a semi-retired singer service / repairman who loved doing house calls. Lucky me!
anyway... good luck & test it first!

oneday

at 75 you can always get your money back , if you don't like it. They really don't take up any more space than a full size cabinet home type machine... most tables are under 4'

The rated speed is it's top speed, for under $159 total you can get a servo motor, giving you speed comtorl as a home machine... Do a search on sewing machine servo motors and the model of that machine..

miriam

If it sets in an oil bath you need to check the condition and availability of the corks. An industrial machine is still a sewing machine. The motors do go a little (BAH HA HA) faster than your home machine. There is more room to work. As mentioned they don't take up any more floor space than some tables. At that price you can't go wrong. If it doesn't work there would be a lot of parts.

SteveH

i picked up a 241-12 for $100 planning to clean and "flip" it, but once heather tried sewing on it, it became quite clear that the 201 was now a backup machine.... Heather started using it at about 50% speed, she still only sews at 85% most of the time but when you have a long line, it is really fun....

tweech

I have the old industrial machine , it is also a singer. I bought it when I retired from my fashion designer job. It is the best machine for heavy material. It is a real work horse. Yes you can quilt on it , I quilted a queen size quilt on mine. I dropped the feed dogs on mine to do curvy sewing , or you can cover them if that is easier...

tkee

Thanks for your replies. I'm picking her up later today and getting really excited!

manicmike

What model is it?

tkee

It is a 281-1. According to the serial number it was manufactured in 1970. I'm anxious to try it, but have to get some oil first since most of it spilled in moving.