There are many, many "what sewing machine" type questions on this board. I thought I would share my experience, maybe it can help someone else. I started sewing on a consew18 that was acquired through a trade. It was a good machine, but not ideal for upholstery. I found a new tacsew t111 on eBay and bought it from sewing gold. My plan was to sew a little here and there and maybe get good enough to do my own car. I bought the machine because it was new and inexpensive, and it was an "upholstery" sewing machine. Flash forward 3 years...my "here and there" sewing has become almost full time, and the tacsew is starting to show some age. I have had to replace the bobbin case, the presser bar, and the thread check spring. Nothing too major, but all due to inferior materials used to build the machine. Chinese screws break, no matter how gentle you are. I have also noticed that the machine is starting to get sloppy...tolerances are not like they were when new, and the machine is serviced regularly. I assume again, due to inferior materials the machine is built with.
All of that being said, the machine has been good to me. It's paid for itself many times over, and has been a great learning tool. Sewing Gold has great customer service and have shipped me the parts timely for a fair price. I feel like the machine was a good value for the weekend warrior, but anything more than occasional use....consider a better machine. I will be upgrading to a juki 1541 soon. I don't really have any complaints about the overall performance of the tacsew, but I do feel like I have outgrown it.
Just my thoughts...I have no relationship with any of the brands/companies I mentioned....just a customer relaying my experience . Jeremy
All of that being said, the machine has been good to me. It's paid for itself many times over, and has been a great learning tool. Sewing Gold has great customer service and have shipped me the parts timely for a fair price. I feel like the machine was a good value for the weekend warrior, but anything more than occasional use....consider a better machine. I will be upgrading to a juki 1541 soon. I don't really have any complaints about the overall performance of the tacsew, but I do feel like I have outgrown it.
Just my thoughts...I have no relationship with any of the brands/companies I mentioned....just a customer relaying my experience . Jeremy