After reading Rolfs post on building his sails, I am considering designing and building my own sails. I am trying to determine which sewing machine to buy. Does anyone have any suggestions on a sewing machine to buy? So far I have only looked at Sailrite, but I was not sure which of the zigzag models I would need.

I will use the machine to first repair my tramp and then to make a spinnaker for my current boat. Then make new sails for my homebuilt boat (whatever it is) and a set for my buddy’s Blade. Finally, once I get a monoslug I will use it to make a spare set for it. I will probably also make canvas covers.

The machine will get used once a year, basically every year. I want something that will last, even if it is sitting around.

Matt
Fairport, NY

See: http://www.sailcut.com/

The Sailrite machine is a pretty good machine for sailwork. I've recently been researching sewing machines too. It will be important to you to have a "walking foot" machine that will feed material very evenly for stitching sails. At pretty much any moment, you can find several varieties of machines from the same company that manufacturers the Sailrite machine on ebay.

I recently got a SailRite machine. I had one minor assembly problem but called the company and they helped me things working quickly. I went for the Ultrafeed LSZ-1 Deluxe machine - the "Monster Wheel" provides better low-speed, high-leverage operation for beginners like me and the thing can punch through a ridiculous amount of tough fabric (like 8 layers of top gun). The case is plenty sturdy which is nice when hauling the heavy thing between storage cabinet and sewing table. If you know nothing about sewing and sewing machines, which is where I started, the instructional videos that SailRite provides are a big help. They are a bit comical and have that "home made" look, but they're effective. So far I've knocked together a cover for the swamp cooler on my house, and a pair of winter-storage hull covers for my cat. It takes quite a few linear feet of stitching before you get the feel for controlling the machine, so I'd suggest starting with some low-precision projects before tackling a sail.

speaking of sails, any reason they are marking the luff tape with chevrons? Does this help the trimmer, or the guy stuffing the chute so they know which way to hook it up?

An example - look at the luff and you'll see those marks...

Speaking of sewing machines. I think everyone within a 200 mile radius of here, that at one time made or repaired sails, has passed on or retired from the business. Knowing my wife at one time did van interiors I asked her what brand or model sewing machine she would need to do sail repairs and make canvas covers.
She says it doesn't matter, as long as it has a "walking foot". What model pfaff am I looking for?

I'm thinking about getting a TuffSew zig-zag machine. www.tuffsew.com. They sell direct from the factory rather than through dealers. Anybody know anything about them?

(And I can't believe I am asking men this question. )

You sure can't beat that $279 price for a TuffSew 2000 zig zag with walking foot, can you?

GARY

So, I am hearing pfaff or sailrite? Anyone use anything else? Has anyone tried the basic zigzag sailrite machine?

We are all going to bidding on the same machine on ebay. I will probably go with sailrite if no one advises me of a better machine.

My crew is mocking me by saying she is going to design a whomper like in the movie “Wind.”

Matt

Tuffsew? Have you used it? Does it work well? OHHHHHHHH! 1 min left!

Heh

Looks ok

42 sec left……

Oops, I didn't see mary’s post and thought gary was recommending it.

Matt

wow it can sew pennies!!

https://www.tuffsew.com/images/tuffsew200033_05Large.jpg

ok, I am done spaming.

I have a Sailrite LSZ-1 with Monster wheel. They cost a little more, but they are amazing machines. My wife even gets it out occasionally to hem her jeans and other thick material.
One thing that is important about the Sailrite is that help is just a phone call away. I've talked to the techs there a couple times and they couldn't be nicer.
Jack

You better have a welding mask on when sewing those pennies , what a cheapskate. This machine is in the e-bay a lot with a few others. Spinaker sewing is lighter work but rolling up a mainsail and redo on patches can a frustrating if you do not have a big enough throat on the machine.I've used the sail rite Lz1 too, a strong machine and lightweight compared to a big nail driving Pfaff we used to shove the main off of 108',"WhiteFin".Sloop.

https://www.tuffsew.com/images/tuffsew200033_05Large.jpg

ok, I am done spaming. [/quote]

No. Those are not marks on the sail, they are reinforcements. Notice the narrow band of brighter white color on the luff also? Same thing. Each sailmaker designs their sails in a way that they believe offers superior performance characterisitics to the competitors' sails. You could probably Google Illbruck to learn who did their sails and then read what they were trying to do. I think that was a Volvo race boat and they have to have spinnakers that can stand up to thousands of miles of high speed, heavy wind use (not your everyday sail).

Hi Gary,

The machine you referenced is $379 for the 7" gate model and $499 for the 9" gate model. The $279 model is straight stitch only. Those are still very good prices for the quality of machines described.

Mike