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[Cervantes]

In looking for a better machine to replace my Rex... I'm still just a hobbiest, but I want something that can handle more and thicket foam and such.

The said is in excellent shake, and they invested in a speed reduction
Mod and a few other things. Any thoughts? Ok brand? Solid design? And feedback would be great!

Thanks
Cervantes

I don't think I can post it! Here is the info...

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[Cervantes]

I was thinking of the Sailrite Fabricator after doing John's video, but then I saw his update and thought maybe the Juki DNU-1541S. But that is still $1700 including shipping..

That looks really good, but still a bit more than I would hope to spend, so I thought I'd look into the used market.

With the Rex I had a technical issue but no support. I finally figured it out, but thought the support from Sailrite may have been worth the extra cost. So now I want something with more support OR something common enough that I can find more info on the internet. If it was a car. I'm looking for a Camry... no expensive fancy Mercedes or hard to maintain maintenance Ferrari. No hard to find info or parts, like a Peugeot (at least in the US).

This one is. $1000 but I think I can get it for a little less. Plus it is near enough tu p pick it k up myself. Also they said is fairly new with several upgrades, nice table, reduction etc. That does make it $700 or$800 less than the Juki or Sailrite...

I'm still just a hobbiest, but would like something i could still use if I get more serious about this.

Maybe someone will have a black Friday sale!


Any feedback is appreciated ,
Cervantes

[Adam12]

Never cracked open a techsew, so i cannot confirm or deny the overall quality. But that seems high for a used one, even slightly used. There are better used machines out there for that sort of money.

[Cervantes]

Hmm. I kinda thought it might be a bit high on the price. If it's a good machine I may make a lower offer... but if they are not too great, I wouldn't want to bother with it!

I've been trying to find other options within a hundred miles from here, but everything I find seems too expensive, or too far away to go look at, or poor condition.

I still wonder about the Sailrite Fabricator, as it would be under warranty and had good support. Or the Juki. At this point I'm going to keep looking. I'm learning a lot researching the various machines. 8^)

Thanks!
Cervantes

[BigRig]

@Cervantes , my first impression was they are asking far too much money for that machine.

[Cervantes]

It sounds like the price is too high. That's good to know... bet helpful.

I'm thinking I may offer them $700 or $750 and only get it if they are willing to come down to that point. Does that seen like a fair price? I

It has a speed reduction which I really like, but I'm not sure if other machines need it. In the videos I've seen, the Fabricator as well as the NC seem to sew well at low speeds. I know it sure helped my Rex to add the Monster Wheel.

I'm not decided yet, but I'm leaning that way. Make a fair, lower offer and see how it goes.

It seems like there are a lot of great options at about $1800 - $2000! Ha! That's more than I paid for my "daily driver" car! OTOH, I can't spend even $800 on a machine that doesn't meet my needs.

John's article that came with my courses helps a lot, but of course there are a million different brands and models to sort through.

Thanks for the help?

Cervantes

[Mikesimpson]

That is the same machine I have been using for about 3 years now. I've got no complaints about it, been a good machine. I've had no problems going through anything I have fed into it. Leather, multiple layers of vinyl with foam backing, carpet and plastic j clips have been no problem. But the price seems a little high, I paid right at $1200 for mine new from the supplier. But its a good machine if you can get it for a little less money.

[Cervantes]

Mikesimpson,

That's good to know that is a good machine. I am still debating between new and used. I may have to wait a few month to save up the difference if I go new, but it might be worth it.

I guess it can't hurt to offer them $700 or $800, and see if they take it, right? If it was $1200 new, plus they added the speed reduction and all that, and barely used it - I would think that would be a good price. But even still, I may go new.

Either way, I am looking forward to using a better sewing machine. The Rex has done the job, but my biggest compalints are: 1) No customer support / limited info on the internet. 2) The clearance is kinda limited when I use vinyl plus 2 layers of foam. 3) There is very little space between the needle and the right of the machine. #2 and #3 cause pulling that I have to overcome to get a straight stitch!

Thanks to all for the help from everyone. Any other thoughts are, of course, welcome!

All the Best,
Cervantes

[BigRig]

@Cervantes , I have sewed on the Tachsew and it does a job about as good as a machine can get. I would wait for a better price on that machine though.

[Cervantes]

I spoke with the sellers and said I was thinking more like $750 ish. They said they wouldn't go below $900, so I'll keep looking.

I did see a Nakajima 181L-2 not far from here for $750... The seller says it's in good condition, though it looks pretty dang old! I'm not sure if it has reverse, small bobbins, etc. I'll call the seller tomorrow and see if I can get more info.

It seems like there may be good deals out there.. IF you know what to look for. I don't yet!

Thanks all! I think you steered me away from paying too much!

Cervantes

[BigRig]

@Cervantes , Keep looking something will come up and honestly dont be too surprised if what you get is almost equal to your REX. You should sew off a couple of machines at a shop somewhere and see what you like.

[Cervantes]

dont be too surprised if what you get is almost equal to your REX

Yeah, that is what I worry about.

The Nakajima looks interesting, but old (I really kinda like that old green heavy duty look). But I would hate to spend the money on a machine, then a year or 2 down the road, need to upgrade again! I may be wise to save up for a while and get a better new machine.

Thanks!
Cervantes

[Cervantes]

So I thought I'd update this to let you know what I ended up with after looking at a bunch of options and considering the great help from the group.

I thought I'd check to see if there was any place more local I could get a machine from. My thought was that I could save on shipping by picking it up myself. Plus if I needed support or anything like that it might be good having them close by. I'm good with buying from a trusted internet source, but thought it was worth checking around closer to home.

"Close" is a relative term. We live in south east Idaho... 100 miles-ish is about as close as possible.

I found a place in SLC Utah, about 100 miles away, that sells walking foot machines. They had a few Seiko sth-8bld-3 machines in stock and on sale! (They usually sell more Jukis than anything, but said they were hard to get right now due to covid mask making, though I'm not sure what that means actually. )

As a bonus, they had a delivery or repair job in our area, so they delivered it to my door , no charge. So that saved me the trip. Even better!

It looks great and I believe it will be a good machine for me. I'm so glad I didn't jump on that used machine that you'll advised me was overpriced. Thanks so much every one for the thoughts.

They dropped it off Saturday, and I can't wait to so some real sewing on it. It definitely passed the test-on-scraps tests.

Thanks again!
Cervantes

[BigRig]

@Cervantes , you are set and made a great purchase.

[John]

thats a great machine! you will be happy with it.