topstitch

I am looking on EBay for a heavy duty sewing machine and would like to know which will meet my needs. I sew through from 6 to 8 layers of med. Weight fabric. Looking at a Singer 237 and a Pfaff 130. Can any one give me some guidance? I am open to a new idea also.

quiltedsunshine

Definitely the Pfaff over the Singer. The Singer 237 has a direct drive, but the motor on these older Singers are "tired." The Pfaff has a chain drive, which gives it more power to get through heavy fabrics.

You may want to consider a Baracuda sewing machine. Here's a link: https://www.google.com/search?biw=19...k1.rRYF_sXdOCM

Or a used industrial sewing machine like Juki. Check the classified ads on Craigslist or your local newspaper ads online.

mike'sgirl

None of my older singers are "tired". I have a Singer 403a which is a heavier duty machine, and one I would recommend.

Onebyone

I'd go with a vintage Singer all metal machine. I have a Singer 301 and it sews through four layers of denim with no problem. If you want speed and toughness check out the industrial machines.

ArlaJo

I have a 10 year old Viking Mega Quilter that I swear will sew through anything, it's a workhorse.

quiltsRfun

I had a 237 and didn't consider it a heavy duty machine.

dunster

A lot of the sellers on ebay claim that their machines are heavy duty, even though they're not. But heavy duty machines are usually required only for sewing on leather, canvas, or something similar.

Out of curiosity, I just made a sandwich of 8 layers of quilting cotton and tried sewing through it on my Bernina 440. No problem. So I folded it over - 16 layers - and still no problem. So I folded it again - 32 layers - and still no problem. I might try folding it again, but I can't, and even if I could it wouldn't fit under the foot. So my advice would be first to try an "ordinary" machine.

BTW, what are you making?

Daylesewblessed

I have a Pfaff 130 in a cabinet and think it is great. It is my "go to" machine. Last year the motor went out, and we replaced it with a lower power compatible motor, and it is still strong. There was someone who posted on this site a few years back who said she used a Pfaff 130 with a hand crank on her sailboat and mended/sewed sails with it.

I have never used a Singer 237, so do not have an opinion about it. However, I do use a 301 a lot of the time, and enjoy it immensely. It does not zigzag, but it sure does sew fast.

If you are looking at a Pfaff 130, I recommend checking the link drive on it (viewable from the underside). It is made of metal and canvas, and if stored in questionable environments, the canvas may be deteriorated. My 130 was pre-owned by a farmer who bought it at an auction sale. The canvas on mine is in perfect condition.

Dayle

quiltingcandy

When i first read the question I remembered my grandmother's next door neighbor would borrow her Singer treadle when he would sew leather. It was still going strong in 1989. No one has used it since, it is sitting in a bedroom at my Aunt's house back in Kansas. My Viking is built to sew denim (even has a "jeans" stitch).

bearisgray

As others have said - how "heavy duty" do you require?

Do you consider "quilting cotton? to be a medium weight fabric?