Vintage Alternatives to Sailrite Sewing Machine

[housewifer]

Originally Posted by OloteleMtn

I bought a vintage kenmore industrial machine off Ebay for $125; it needed some lubrication and TLC to get everything moving; a repairman i called on the US mainland says the old machines are nearly bulletproof. I intend to buy supplies from Sailrite, as they have great products and support, with good tutorials on Youtube.

Kenmore indeed has legendary machines. A friend of mine who knew the industry closely was praising it.

[DreamBig]

Not to dig up an old post, but merely to give it resolution.... We ended up purchasing a "Reliable Barracuda" we added the cuda crank.... Out the door it was $700 new. Let's just say I have mixed feelings... First it does what it says it does, no doubt.... But at half the price of sailrite things are definitely noticed.... Issues: 1). Instructions.... There are almost none.... Being a new to sewing sailor,. I bent two needles before I realized it was actually in backwards from the factory.... Watched a sailrite video to figure out. 2) The foot pedal is all or nothing,. I will be replacing that!!! 3) Basic, information is the most missing thing... How to properly tension the belts, thread, needle and thread combinations. We had belt alignment issues with the cuda crank... Had to figure out what the kick stand was for... 4) Fought with the hinge alignment for a day or so to the case ...5) Bobbin doesn't wind as well as I would think it should.... 6)Nearly zero attachments... That being said... I believe most of sailrite stuff will attach, as the two machines are nearly the same build.... I just think Sailrite is a much better fit and finish. I will say this, it works... I sewed 9 layers of sunbrella with ease ... once I understood how to setup everything, Never missed a beat....7) fit and finish, there were burrs on some of the pieces from factory and a few other finishing details that we have dealt with., I had sent an email to them a week or so ago with still no response.... Yet it does carry a 3 year warranty, and is truly half the price of the sailrite..hmmm.... Big three differences. Customer service, tutorial and machine information, fit and finish of delivered machine. HALF price. 😁👀 I would probably purchase again, bit if I was to expect to use it monthly or make money with it I would purchase a sailrite.... But to make dodger, seat cushions and fix sails (make new ones also) I assume it will work quite well.

[SSgtPitt]

Happy to hear it’s working out.
Sailrite is an outstanding product, expensive, but outstanding.
Good luck with your projects.