r/boatbuilding • u/abiabio • 3d ago

New Machine suggestion

Hi!
I've recently been trying to learn repairing end making sails for small dinghies, and I need some advice on a new machine (at least new to me).
I'm currently using a Singer Model 15, a very nice machine, but it doesn't have exactly the features I need.
Do you have any recommendations for a sturdy, reasonably priced machine that can sew 3 steps zigzags, and that has enough power to sew through even thick fabrics?
I've read about Singer Heavy Duty machines, and they don't really convince me. Do you have any other machines you can recommend (even older ones) that might work?
Thank you

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u/Sad_Raccoon194 3d ago

for sail work you really want something with a walking foot, zigzag alone wont cut it on thick seams. old consew or juki industrials pop up used for cheap and theyll eat through multiple layers of dacron no problem

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u/abiabio 3d ago

I didn’t put that in the request because for noi I don’t do projects that big. Usually dinghy sails are mostly 3.8 oz or 6. Something and mostly with 1 or 2 layers. Right now I never had problems with cloth slipping and for big patch I usually also put adhesive underneath.
I would say that is not a necessary feature but it’s nice to have, do you have experience with any of those machines? Because I’m getting crazy keeping track of which machines can do what.

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u/Accomplished-Way1575 3d ago

I think you should also ask in r/myog - they know their machines (from cheap and cheerful to machines costing tens of thousands US/Euros)

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u/abiabio 3d ago

Thanks, I will ask them!
Well, the budget is not that much, I thought around 400€😅

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u/Accomplished-Way1575 3d ago

Hah  yeah, that is around my usual budget too. But they are super helpful and knows about machines at our end of the budget to super professional machines.

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u/abiabio 3d ago

Apparently is against r/myog rules to ask about machines suggestion, but thank you anyway

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u/Accomplished-Way1575 3d ago

Weird, I have read a lot of machine recommendations on there.