[cacsmret]

Anyone familiar with a Rex - Nakajima sewing machine with walking foot? I found one on cr-list. Is this something I can use for auto interiors?
Rex-Nakajima

[DanTwoLakes]

If it's a Rex 11-155R or a Nakajima DBU-180L, it is like a Consew 205RB, which would make it a compound feed walking foot machine. That would work fine for auto upholstery.

[cacsmret]

Thanks Dan!

[Mr. HMP]

been using an older consew 206rb-1.
clutch motor, servo would be nice, but i've gotten used to the clutch.
bobbins are a pain but got used to that as well in the last 20 or so years.
old girl is starting to show her age though.
may have to upgrade to something newer in the next couple years.
terry

[suncoastsd]

As you can see, sewing machine preference is about the same as do you drive a ford or Chevy. If you work in a shop that uses Juki, you may be more comfortable using a Juki.

I worked for 40 years and my choice was always Pfaff. Everyone says parts are expensive, but many are available as generic parts, including presser feet. I started on a Pfaff 145, but as soon as the 545 came out with a 50% larger bobbin, that was a no brainer. The initial 1245 had automatic oiling for the bobbin. They eventually moved away from that.

With the Pfaff's there are H3's and H4's. The H3 doesn't lift as high as an H4 and they take different needles. I prefer the H4. The newest 1245 has reverted back to the H3 lift height.

The key is it makes life easier if the machine is a walking foot, whether it is a Pfaff, Juki, Consew or Singer.

Hope the helps.

Steve M

[DanTwoLakes]

Yes, the Pfaff parts are more expensive, but not ridiculously expensive. A welt foot for a Consew, Singer, or Juki is $18.95, and the same thing for Pfaff is $29.95. The Pfaff machines are great machines, and that is what I learned on. All of these machines are basically copies of the original Singer 111W, which has been the workhorse of the industrial sewing machine world for a long, long time. Any of them will work well for you, especially if you are only using the machine for your own use, and not making a living with it.

[cboy]

I bought the Tacsew T111-155 pictured below to do my first interior. I selected this machine based on a number of recommendations by members here on HR.Com.

It is a walking foot, compound feed machine with 1/2" clearance under the presser foot. I also got the optional 3/4 hp servo motor. The total cost, with server, shipped to my door was just a hair under $950 and I got it from SewingGold.com

As a totally rookie the servo motor was really a life saver. But even with a servo, I still fabricated an adjustable stop (shown in second photo below) to limit the maximum speed I could run the machine. It takes some practice to get used to the touch of the servo and I would occasionally give it way too much gas and things would sort of get away from me. So the adjustable stop has been really helpful.

I've had a great time sewing with this machine and it handled everything I threw at it with ease. Any and all flubs on my interior were totally due to the operator...not the machine.

[ronbo]

I recently purchased a Tacsew 111-155W. My plans are to sew my interior and perhaps a couple more. Mostly figuring and practicing so far!

[suncoastsd]

AS one of the subscribers mentioned, many machines are copies of various Singers. Just by the model number of yours, I would say that was the case.

I have heard that Tacksew was a nice machine. In 40 years, I have never worked with a servi motor. We had machines that would do auto back tack, thread trimming, needle positioning, etc, but no servo motors.

I have 2 Pfaff 545's, a Pfaff 1245 and a Pfaff 138 in my garage right now, but haven't done much sewing for some time.

Steve M
Tampa

[DanTwoLakes]

Originally Posted by ronbo

I recently purchased a Tacsew 111-155W. My plans are to sew my interior and perhaps a couple more. Mostly figuring and practicing so far!

Your machine is a lot like the Consew 205 and 206 which has the bobbin on the left of the needle. If you ever try a servo motor, you will never go back to a clutch motor.

[ronbo]

Did get the servo motor. As you may remember, starting and stopping gives us noobies trouble, same as learning to drive!!

[DanTwoLakes]

I replaced the clutch motors on all three of my machines. Much easier never to have to worry about the machine so I can just concentrate on what I'm sewing.

[Coodeville]

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

This looks like a very well built machine, and would do well for furniture upholstery. The problem with this machine is that it only has 7 1/2" space to the right of the needle, and for auto upholstery, that would be tough to use. It only has 5/16" of lift, and only has a 1/10th HP motor. It costs around $700.00. If anyone is really serious about doing auto upholstery, I would suggest spending a few hundred dollars more for a larger industrial machine that has 2 1/2" more space to the right of the needle, 1/2 HP motor, and 7/16" of lift to allow you to get more thicknesses of fabric under the foot. I'm also wondering if there are very many different feet available for this machine. That can make a huge difference for many different things that need to be sewed for a car's interior.

My Singer 111W153 cost me a total of 400 bucks. Everything was used.