Begging for opinions on a sewing machine

[Dreadbelly]

If you go to www.singer.com you can find the model.

It is the Singer Heavy Duty HD-110

The site has funny URLs, lemme try a link.

So very tempting!

[RockyR]

I can say with ALL assurity that it's Crap. We actually checked out a CG550 and a few more of their "heavy duty home" machines. They are NOT "commercial grade" or "industrial". The parts that look like metal are actually mostly "steel colored plastic" to make it LOOK like an industrial machine. It deos not have an automatic scissors ("cutter" doesn't mean scissors) and it doesn't have a "needle stop in the up position" option... it stops where you stop pushing on the pedal. Not nearly as good as you think it's going to be. VERY misleading.

If you're going to sew leather, you need a walking foot and/or a REAL industrial machine. You can get them used for $1000 or so.

[ian]

I second that opinion. I was also interested in this machine. Singer is not what it used to be. I talked with several people (repairmen/techs) from several shops and these machines are NOT rated well, at all. They said if you don't buy ours please don't buy that either. I also spoke with women who sew and they echoed this. They usually drop ship (bulk ship) these to Sam's Club and Wal-Mart to get rid of them. The failure rate is high and the support is crap. If it breaks you are screwed. Within the last year I started making kilts on an ancient Singer Featherweight Model 221 (Still renowned and sought after machines in quilting circles, when they made good products). I could have continued using it but wanted an over stitch for serging edges since I'm making modern kilts with twills and denim which tend to fray. The 221's are hard to find and can cost as much as a new machine even though they are really tiny and parts are easy to find. It only does a straight stitch and need attachments for zig-zags.

Many machines in the home market are generally made for quilting, crafts and embroidery and not meant for heavy duty sewing. You really need a commercial machine with a DC motor (For Torque) rather than AC and with a presser foot that can lift beyond the standard one inch height for leather (It also requires a leather needle with a v-chisel type point). No, I don't sew sporrans but I know this machine is not going to work for you.

I found that Janome makes a lot of the hardware for most home machines. I spent the cash and got a Pfaff for sewing kilts. Great machine, but the heavy denim kilt I'm working on is cutting it really close because of the thickness of the material.

If your serious and I think you are you going to have to spend more for a machine that will do leather well. The Pfaff I got was a low ender and I forked over 500 bucks. It'll sew light leather and suede but not heavy leather. Again, most "home" machines sold are generally for craft sewing and light work, not commercial/industrial sewing. For woolen (laine) kilts home sewing machines can do just fine.

I've found for kilt making a straight, zigzag and over stitch is all I need. I also have a 25 year old Singer 646 which seems to be forged from an anvil and I broke the hell out of the gears sewing heavy denim. The parts are almost impossible to find hence the Pfaff. The old Featherweight 221 simply cannot do denim. I borrowed my neighbors Sears/Kenmore and it was a good machine, but it was actually a Janome rebranded to Singer! My Pfaff has Janome hardware, which is a presser foot, throat plate and bobbin case.

For the love of all things Scottish, do not get this machine. The chances are you'll be unhappy with it are greater than anything. You'll be hard pressed to find an online retailer for them and they generally don't disclose the price. I fear you'll end up with a $300 piece of metal you'll detest. Having seen this machine I can confirm the above statement. Go to a Sewing retailer and talk to the repair people about it and notice they most likely will not have one on the floor. They can't even get support or parts for them. They usually carry used machines from trade-ins they have serviced and can point you in the right direction. Go to several shops, second opinions never hurt anybody.

Ask around with heavy sewers, do research and spend a little more cash than you are comfortable with and something that will just exceed your needs. Most shops will let you try the machines. Don't fall for the "sews through lead plates" demo. Lead is a soft metal and even a piece of crap machine can sew through it.

I'm sticking with a leather sewing awl as my final answer for sporrans, if this is your sole intention. I look more at a leather sewing awl for this, you almost can't break it (Tandy Leather sells them).