Making bags

[riverfever]

I'm interested in playing around with this. For those that are doing so...what kind of machine am I looking for? Can I get one used? Any advice? Craigslist only has a lot of antiques.

[krefs]

I picked up a "used" (never actually used, though!) Brother CS-6000i on CL. It's worked well, though it doesn't have enough power to get through more than 3 layers of thick nylon webbing. Most of the time I use thread equivalent in thickness to Gutemann Extra Strong or slightly thicker, and this seems to be at the limit of what the machine can handle. Because of this, I usually sew thicker fabrics with the thread tension cranked all the way up to minimize the tangling (I think the technical term is birdnesting) of the thread on the backside of the fabric during backstitching. It also has some problems with insufficient tension on the bobbin thread, and it doesn't seem like this is adjustable. So if I was sewing things that I wanted to have beautiful seams on both sides, I'd be annoyed, but for outdoor gear, it's doing just what I wanted. Just make sure you always have a very sharp, heavy-duty needle. An 18/110 seems to work well for me, but it leaves slightly larger holes than you might want for thinner fabrics.

That's the advice I can provide...I don't claim to know much of anything about sewing, but I've muddled my way through a few bags so far, and they've come out better than I thought they would.

[trebor]

antiques seem to be the way to go on the cheap. super durable often times as well.

i started with a new in the box machine and broke it pretty quick. awesome machine for making clothes, drapes, etc. WORE IT OUT on bivy bags, bike bags, and whatnot. that was the viking 118 from Husqvarna. the 118 doesn't do well with tension on the bottom bobbin thread either. i see alot of the bags that other posters put up show the same indications of improper tension. those "home" machines just can't handle the fabric and heavy thread used for what we all seem to be doing. look for bonded thread too - it helps. has some sort of a coating that make the thread move more freely.

picked up an old Borther medium duty industrial straight and zig zag stitch machine and it sews really well. got it off CL (for less than the viking 118 too) with the table and motor. its a bit worn (well used in its previous life) and is out of timing right now. so take that into consideration with picking up used stuff - it may be too used.

i recently got an old singer 316. have it in for service right now. when i drop the brother off for timing adjustment i'll pick up the singer. i have high hopes for that one!

also of note, for example, the singer i got was sold only in the UK in the 1950's. so the needles are a weird size that is no longer made. so my sewing machine repair guy had to modify the machine to accept a more common needle.

these things are often difficult to discover until after the purchase...... even after scouring the web for info before you pay.

if i had the cash........ industrial servo controlled zig-zag and straight stitch walking foot machine. new of course so as not to inherit problems...