Good basic solid vintage zz machine?
 

I'm still looking for a good SOLID basic zigzag machine and my head is starting to spin with all the info I have to wade through, only to find some are slant needle, which I don't want, or do only straight stitch...

Maybe you can help me narrow things down.

I have a 201 for straight stitch and a Citation for zigzag -- but I want something more solid for the zigzag - along the lines of the Singer 328k which belongs to my husband. Of course we could share, but he does not take care of things - the 328 tends to ride in his pick-up along with a lot of other stuff that lives in there....

The 328 makes a better stitch than my Citation or my Necchi, both 70s (metal) machines.
I was originally looking for a 50s/60s Japanese machine and I now wonder how they compare to the 328.
Can anyone suggest a Japanese ZZ machine that is as solid as the 328?

I looked up 319s, since one is available locally, but they are just a bit too much of a machine since I don't need the embroidery functions. I make cloth bags, so I want to be able to go through several layers and need as much clearance under the foot as the 201 has.

TIA.

I like the 328s but about any Japanese zz is good - avoid a plastic cam stack - Kenmore makes some real nice old zzers, too.

Why no slant needle? I can't think of any disadvantages to one other than you need slant needle feet to go with it.
Rodney

Any of the 50's Brothers: Flairmatic, Riviera, Prestige, SelectoMatic, and others, any of my Brother machines would put that 328 to shame. BUT, that said, you might look at a Singer 237. It's said to have the best zz/satin stitch of any of the old gals.

Cari

Guess I'm odd woman out but I don't care for the 328s at all. I much prefer the Japanese machines. However, I should put a caveat that some are left homing and I don't care for those either. I have a 237 and agree with Cari it's a great machine. So, if you want a Singer, I'd recommend that one.

The Singer 328 can set the needle LRC and that is a big deal. I have one practically new - it is a very nice machine now that I got the kinks out of it - runs quiet, too. I'm thinking when they get lint in the bobbin area is when they clunk. They are butt ugly. I just sold a Good Housekeeper - I'm not sure who made it - some place in Japan - it was nice and fast and went through layers of jeans fabric. For that guy it was between a turquoise White and the blue Good Housekeeper. He liked all that chrome so he got the GH... more chrome and heavy metal!!! I am thinking the old Brother machines are good but I've seen plenty of really nice old Japanese zig zag machines with nondescript markings.

You're right Miriam, most of the old Japanese machines are good ones. I'm partial to Brother machines only because I grew up using my moms Brother Prestige. Now my oldest has it and it still sews like it's new. It has never failed to sew whatever I could get under the foot.

Cari

I like the old Kenmores. They are solid, durable, strong, inexpensive, and easy to find parts for.

Thanks for all the opinions - I hope no-one feels slighted if their preferred machine is not liked as much by some others - we all have our preferences.

I e.g. was falling for the Japanese bling machines, the cute, pretty ones, until I realized, yes they are cute, but can they sew a good stitch?

I got the Necchi (70s model) since I was hoping some of the legendary Necchi quality would remain, and though it is a fine machine, I prefer a more solid stitch. I am attaching a stitch sample to explain:

The 2 rows in dark red are sewn with the Necchi, the white stitches are sewn with the the Singer 328k <- before and after adjusting the tension. I could possibly get a somewhat better stitch from the Necchi with some more adjustment, but as it is, the Citation also has that somewhat anemic stitch, so I see a pattern there.... Maybe it's just my bad luck, but I was hoping for better quality. And maybe I looked at the wrong decade!

My question: do the Japanese machines, like the Brothers that Cari mentioned, sew a good stitch?


I don't mind the looks of the 328 - it is a bit more industrial looking, as is the 319, but it works for me.

Things have gotten a bit more fluid now, since DH came home with a cute little green Singer 185j - and that may tip the balance and maybe I can pry the 328 away from him ... if not, I'd still be looking for a (Japanese?)machine that sews a good stitch - and through several layers.

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Weird.

The 328K has 2 (very) different looks:

this is how it is listed at ismacs

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...99/328k_bp.jpg


and this is the one we have - better looking, more character, IMO

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sing...item3f433a916a

The looks aren't the negative. The underside linkage system is a fail. I've had 4 or 5 and have never liked any of them. My personal opinion of course.

the great visibility of a slant needle outweighs the "it's own feet" thingy IMHO ...... but then I think 'universal' feet are a mean joke anyway (in my experience) ..... hope you find the perfect machine or work out a trade with hubby.

Do you know that the 319 takes a special needle (206x13) that is expensive and only available in sizes 14 and 12?
You can use a 15x1 but it might strike and break the bobbin case during zig-zag. The fix is to grind the part of the bobbin case the needle hits - crude but very effective.

The special needle is probably the main reason people avoid 319s.

It seems as though the tan ones and the gray/green/blue ones do have different looks to them.

CD in Oklahoma

My 328K is like the one on ISMACS but without the light switch.
There is one like the one listed on eBay on Shopgoodwill right now.

Not sure why the different versions, but it doesn't affect the running of them that I can tell.


As far as the underside linkage, that is why I like them. A good solid ZZ machine with NO PLASTIC parts inside to break or wear out.

Joe

In my opinion the linkage is sloppy. LOL. It's one of my least favorite Singer models. The 237 has so much better stitch quality.

Sorry Rodney, got side tracked working on the 185j - got it running pretty good :-) It had made only tiny stitches.

I guess I Could and Would overcome my caution regarding slant needles if a good-deal-machine simply followed me home but basically, I prefer to keep it simple and stick to mostly interchangeable feet and attachments. I'm not a collector, I want machines that are useful for me. You have to have plenty of room to keep things relatively neat and organized, and I'm trying to reduce clutter rather than add to it.... Not sure I'm having much success with that as it is :-)

Yes, Mike, I read all the info I could gobble up here on the Board and elsewhere on several blogs. The needles weren't the problem for me it was the circumstance that it is so awkward to reach the bobbin. Already I often find it annoying having to stop what I'm doing and change a bobbin using a drop-in bobbin, which most of our machines have, so imagining having to tilt that machine up and balance it in that position while changing a bobbin is a deal breaker for me. Also, you'd have to deal with chasing the thread that falls off the top.....

With the added little 185j that seems quite powerful, it looks like I can stop searching for the time being and settle down with the 328. I like the straight stitch quality as much as the 201's and the zigzag is even and strong as well -- and I have confidence in the machine. Often that matters in how you relate to a machine more than minor differences in quality or looks. Time will tell.

Beyond that, I will have some fun window shopping while I keep my eyes open for a good Japanese bling machine.

I solved the Singer 319 changing the bobbin problem. Get a table with a hand hole for changing the bobbin - much easier than tilting it back but you do have be able to go by feel - I'm ok with going by feel - I have had to do it often enough on industrial machines.
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