Walking foot sewing machine -- Reliant Barracuda

[wellcraft-classic210]

I am measuring a 1/4 inch max stitch length for the Rex607z. My old home machine was definitely shorter.

 

[Woodonglass]

Ok, to lazy to make a video but I did take some pics. First is the Pic of my 15-91. Second is Top and Bottom stitches. I did quick setup on the machine (Stitch length set on 6,tension set on 5) and you can see that the tensioning is not quite set right. The next pic is of the layers I sewed. The material is a Cordura Fabric with a rubberized back coating. Extremely nice heavy duty stuff but...Hard to sew since the needle wants to grab onto the rubberized backing. I made it thru 6 layers with NO problems When I went to eight the needle started grabbing and lifting the presser foot. I adjusted the downward pressure and it sewed quite nicely. When I went to 10 layers, same thing, Had to tighten it some more and then it made it but it WAS struggling a bit. Went for twelve layers(barely fit under the foot) but, too much friction and the thread kept breaking. I'm fairly certain that it would make it through 12 layers of Canvas pretty well. Here's some cushions I made from this same material and with the piping I was going thru 6 layers. Never had an issue.

 

[Woodonglass]

Ok, to lazy to make a video but I did take some pics. First is the Pic of my 15-91. Second is Top and Bottom stitches. I did quick setup on the machine (Stitch length set on 6,tension set on 5) and you can see that the tensioning is not quite set right. The next pic is of the layers I sewed. The material is a Cordura Fabric with a rubberized back coating. Extremely nice heavy duty stuff but...Hard to sew since the needle wants to grab onto the rubberized backing. I made it thru 6 layers with NO problems When I went to eight the needle started grabbing and lifting the presser foot. I adjusted the downward pressure and it sewed quite nicely. When I went to 10 layers, same thing, Had to tighten it some more and then it made it but it WAS struggling a bit. Went for twelve layers(barely fit under the foot) but, too much friction and the thread kept breaking. I'm fairly certain that it would make it through 12 layers of Canvas pretty well. Here's some cushions I made from this same material and with the piping I was going thru 6 layers. Never had an issue.




I found out on Home Machines the numbers on the stitch length control DO mean stitches per inch. On the Industrial Walking Foot Machines the number represents the Length of the stitch in MM. Sooo on the REX your 6 means the stitch will be 6mm long or 0.23622 inches. That's just a bit less than 1/4" On the HomeMachines a 6 means 6 stitches per inch so that would be about 3/16 of an inch . So 4 holes per inch as opposed to 6 holes per inch. Hope this helps clear things up.

 

[bruceb58]

I am measuring a 1/4 inch max stitch length for the Rex607z. My old home machine was definitely shorter.

Consew 226R is 5 stitches per inch max. I think mine is set for 6 when I do sunbrella.

I have found vinyl is way more forgiving than sunbrella for thickness.

 

[StarTed]

You guys put me in stitches.:joyous:

I'm following along in this because I do some sewing at times but my present machine, a free 96 Singer is a brute to use. I can't find any reverse and it only has straight ahead. A walking foot seems to be the ticket.

Does the foot only move straight ahead or can it be turned to sew any direction? I've seen cobbler machines that have a walking foot that swivels as needed but I'm not sure they'll sew a straight line.

By the way, nice looking work you guys put out.

 

[bruceb58]

Does the foot only move straight ahead or can it be turned to sew any direction? I've seen cobbler machines that have a walking foot that swivels as needed but I'm not sure they'll sew a straight line

A true walking foot has two feet. A presser and a walking foot that moves forward back and up to help pull the fabric through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRa3oFdWwWI

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

With the Rex607-7

I recently tried sewing 9 layers of Sumbrella , 1 layer of 9 layers of Sumbrella , 1 layer of window material , and 4 layers of seamstick canvas tape which has a cellophane layer in it // The needle did not even want to penetrate -- Since it was a small area in a corner I used the hand wheel and moved the needle up and down a few times to stab my way through it. Next time I will remove some of the corner fold material to avoid that.

6 layers of Sumbrella & 1 layer of window material was not a problem.

I do sometime wish the presser foot went little higher // Currently its about 1/4 inch // How high are the bigger machines typically going ?

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Star Ted -- Welcome aboard -- That quite a "Minnow" in your picture.

 

[bruceb58]

I do sometime wish the presser foot went little higher // Currently its about 1/4 inch // How high are the bigger machines typically going ?

My SIL is borrowing mine right now. When I get it back I will measure it. You can kinda tell from the video I posted how high it goes.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

I like that moving needle to enhance the feed concept !

 

[bruceb58]

I like that moving needle to enhance the feed concept !

Here is a better video. This is my machine. The one in the other video is the 225 that does not have reverse. This one also has a servo motor like the one I put on mine.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

The link appears to be missing.

 

[bruceb58]

Sorry about that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1jG4sb-h_A

Would have been way better if he didn't have music playing in the background.

 

[Woodonglass]

With the Rex607-7

I recently tried sewing 9 layers of Sumbrella , 1 layer of 9 layers of Sumbrella , 1 layer of window material , and 4 layers of seamstick canvas tape which has a cellophane layer in it // The needle did not even want to penetrate -- Since it was a small area in a corner I used the hand wheel and moved the needle up and down a few times to stab my way through it. Next time I will remove some of the corner fold material to avoid that.

6 layers of Sumbrella & 1 layer of window material was not a problem.

I do sometime wish the presser foot went little higher // Currently its about 1/4 inch // How high are the bigger machines typically going ?

What Needle are you using?

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

I think I am using a #23 //

Also -- Some corrections in the details for the statement above. ( apparently i was having senior moment when I wrote that! )

I recently tried sewing 9 layers of Sumbrella , 2 layer of Sumbrella binding , 1 layer of window material , and 4 layers of seamstick canvas tape which has a cellophane layer in it // The needle did not even want to penetrate -- Since it was a small area in a corner I used the hand wheel and moved the needle up and down a few times to stab my way through it. Next time I will remove some of the corner fold material to avoid that.

I retried later with 8 layers of Sumbrella & 1 layer of window material was not a problem.

I do sometime wish the presser foot went little higher // Currently its about 3/8 inch // How high are the bigger machines typically going ?

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Some pics of my recent canvas side panel repairs

My main goal was to reduce the leaks -- Which caused mushrooms to grow out of the moldy wet wood on the old side panels.

Along with that -- I wanted to be able to keep the bugs out ( keeps the admiral happy ) and enjoy any breezes on hot overnighters. So I added some rear zipper windows with heavy duty vinyl coated pet screens (very similar to phifertex). I chose not to replace but repair the 2 side & 2 rear panels as it allowed for some added learning for when that time comes and lowered costs.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Original covers with velco & stretched screens


Hot Knife corner cuts to allow bottom of window to be outside of the Sumbrella in case of seam leaks. I know its not how sailrite & others do it -- But I wanted to lower the risks & I had to cover the old needle holes anyway.




Matching sumbrella pices added as covers




Role up windows in 2 rear panels -- using #10 coil zippers & heavy screen ( I love these !!! )







I'm hoping when this is all done I can land a job in a sweat shop in Asia ! :laugh:

 

[bruceb58]

That's a good way to do it. Way better than what was done originally

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Bruce
Have you been able to compare the Tacsew 226R to other heavy duty machines -- I am thinking I try to keep an eye out for a bargain on one. Looking for suggestions on which ones to have on a search list. ( Juki 1541?? ) ( tacsew 226r ) ( etc )

 

[bruceb58]

Bruce
Have you been able to compare the Tacsew 226R to other heavy duty machines

Do you mean the Consew 226R?

My suggestion is call Gregg here:
http://keysew.com/

He is a regular contributor to the http://www.upholster.com forum or just ask your questions there.

I chose mine based on it is what my mom used for 20+ years sewing boat covers so I decided to go with the same. Very easy to buy parts for as well and there is a local Consew dealer in Los Angeles which I have been to as well.

BTW, a Juki 1541 is going to be an expensive machine. The older Juki 562 and 563 will be more reasonable but make sure they have reverse as they don't always come that way. Also, the Consew 206RB would be a machine I would be looking for as well.