Sewing cabinets with lift?
 

Do you have a cabinet with a lift? I currently do, but have found in my search for a new machine the opening in my table is too small.

So, do you have a lift cabinet? If so, what kind and where did you get it?

Thanks!

I have an Arrow cabinet called Big Bertha with a lift. I got it on line, I think Sew Vac Direct. I've had it for several years,
very happy with it. They also sell the inserts that fit around your machine.

I have a Horn cabinet with a lift. It's not the electric lift. I got it at a sewing machine dealer, but since then I've seen some on craigslist at good prices.

I bought this one for my Janome 15000. It is perfect. They cut the opening to fit your machine.
https://www.google.com/search?source....0.x0Cv9gFiDm8

Thanks I'll check it out!

I have a Horn cabinet, but has a manual lift. I won't buy a machine that won't fit in that thing unless I'm ready to fork over the money for a new one. I got a stunning deal for mine on Craigslist - lucky!

Mine has a lift and was made by an Amish shop near me. Hole was cut to fit an insert to fit my machine. However it was as much as a Horn cabinet, only wood instead of particle board.

I have two cabinets with lifts. They are custom made Amish, one maple and one walnut. The walnut one was made for a special machine, Jaonme 1600 P. The base on that one is 20 inches and will not fit in the other cabinet. I took this Janome off a mid arm so it is just plain longer. There is a sweet size and it might be 16 inches, not sure. You can always make a smaller machine go into a bigger hole, but not the other way around. I'll post some pictures later today.

I have a Koala cabinet and then ordered the plexiglass specific to my machine model for about $100...fits perfectly.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]589704[/ATTACH]Front view of the maple cabinet. You can see the lift mechanism which is adjustable. 4 drawers on right side, thread rack (skinny area on left) [ATTACH=CONFIG]589705[/ATTACH]

The two of them together. The walnut one is so pretty, same set up but 4 inches longer.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]589706[/ATTACH]Also have to get a plexiglass insert which is specific to each machine.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]589707[/ATTACH]A shot of the back of the maple cabinet. Each one has a table extension on the back that can be folded down. Sorry for the mess. World's worse housekeeper her.

I'm trying to answer your question about cabinets with lifts. I think the answer is it has to be custom made. There are at least two Amish folks here in Indiana that make these. I saw the prices on those Horn?? ones. I paid $875 for the maple one about 6 years ago and $1000. for the larger walnut one last year. I expect they will outlast me. The machine in walnut cabinet is currently broken.

Very nice ladies! My thought is that I need to find a cabinet with a larger opening than the one I have. Once I deal with that, then I'll deal with the machine. The one I was looking at on Craigslist is no longer there. The message I got was that it was pulled for some reason.

So, I'll see if I can find a generic opening cabinet and decide on the machine after that.....at least that's the plan now!

Plexiglas Insert
 

Where did you order your insert? I have Koalas also.

I have an older koala cabinet with the lift feature. I have purchased inserts for each of my machines that I use on it. The lift is not as important to me as the flat surface that they provide me. There is a Quilt in a Day video on their site that shows how to make a recessed sewing machine table out of an old dining table. I ordered my inserts from my local sewing machine store.

I have a Kola. It fit my first Viking but I bought a new Viking and the table opening is to small for it. I wish I knew what to do for it to fit.

I picked up a used cabinet with a lift on CL for about $25. My Viking happens to fit very nicely. If your machine does not fit into the opening is it not possible to just cut the opening larger and then center your machine on the lift? Or am I missing something? Then, if needed, get a plexiglass or whatever material extension piece to fit around your machine?

The company that makes inserts is called Sew Steady. I have two of these for my specially made Amish cabinet. It is similiar to a Horn cabinet, but not particle board and cost less than a Horn.

My current cabinet hole can't be enlarged, hence I think I'll start with a table......think........

I really like the "lift" feature because then I can just store my machine inside of it. Without the lift I think I'll have to store the machine some place else. I know I could leave it on top of the cabinet but I don't think I'll want that.

Was it delivered to you? Where is the Amish shop located?