[danios]

Hey guys, any thoughts on the mini brute for DIY upholstery work? I know it's not a true industrial machine but just wondering if it will work for me as a hobbyist doing maybe 2-3 interiors per year. I'm most concerned about sewing through several layers plus foam and doing piping as my current machine struggles.

The alternative I'm considering (although much more expensive so not ideal) is either a new tacsew 111 or reconditioned singer 111w155. Seem to be about the same cost with servo motor. Any appreciable difference? Leaning towards tacsew for warranty peace of mind.

[DanTwoLakes]

The Mini Brute is a portable machine like the Sail Rite portable. It has four features that make it less desirable for auto upholstery. It has a 1/10th hp motor which is attached right to the sewing machine, which makes it far less powerful. It only has 3/8" lift for the foot which means it can sew less thickness, it only has 9" space between the needle and the housing of the machine, which means it's harder to get large bulky pieces through the machine, and it is not stationary which means it will be moving all over the place unless you build or buy a stand for it in which case it is just as expensive as the machines that need a stand in the first place.

Singer was the company that invented what has become the benchmark for the industrial walking foot sewing machine. Everything else is basically a clone of the original 111W. I would take a reconditioned 111W155 over the Tacsew.

[danios]

Thank you for the extremely thorough response. Everything I was looking for and more.

I'll try for the singer.

Happy Holidays,
Dan