I have the Sailrite straight stitch. I use it for hemming jeans and it does a beautiful job. I found and old school fold down sewing machine cabinet in a second hand store for 20 bucks.. the machine fits inside perfectly. the pins on the cabinet are the exact same spacing as the holes on the back of the machine
Good solid Advice i bought one of the Walking Foot sewing Machines off Ebay that are basically a Chinese knockoff of eith a old Thompson or a White machine that the patents expired and they copied. mine is over 12 years old and its worked awesome for all these years keep in mind i purchased it to do Marine Vinyl and Canvas mostly for myself and friends but i found i enjoyed it so much that i also have done some Automobile Interiors on the machine basically all the Sailrites parts will work on mine with little or no modifications my machine does use the Industrial Needles and will do a ZigZag as well ive had to do no upgrades or fixes yet other than normal maintenance ill add that it does use a different Bobbin than many other _” home “ machines yet they are available in many places another note is that one upgrade i may do is install the Sailrites heavy Duty Power Wheel that people claim you can get the machine to run at a much slower rate for me as a hobbyist that may come in handy. When making a lot of tricky turns although ive been quite pleased with what i can do folks also reccomend using a Huquarva motor set up that has some high tech gadgety inside the electronics that send more power to the motor whenever it detects a need to do so ? Again mine works with the motor that was on the machine so i. Haven’t done that or found a need to do so its probably more. Out of ignorance. In my case Truthfully as i am actually a retired Woodworker who was forced to do a early retirement due to a Traumatic Brain Injury i suffered on a operating table during a complicated lifesaving operation on my heart 10 years ago although the seller stated to me the machine wasn’t intended for heavy Leathers like Saddles i do feel it would power though them if i tool my time as ive stiched Vinyl onto thin plywood for some interior parts on a Vintage Car of mine although the manufacturer had used a heavy Carboard to stitch the original ones that I found out after the fact BTW
Along with all of my home machines, and my industrial straight.zig/zag, I also have the Rex607Z which is similar to your Thompson mini, except that it also does zig zag...It was also a very good price new at just a little over 300.00...I love it for certain projects where only a walking foot machine will do...
All I have is the vintage sewing machines. Most of mine are either 66 class or 15 class. I have some kenmore's but everything is from the '70s and earlier they seem to work really well doing what I need to do but any of the industrial stuff that I've seen in my area even the small stuff that needs a lot of servicing. They want $1,000 or more for and they're getting ridiculous on the vintage machines that don't work wanting $600 in my area I'm glad I've got the machines I got. I got them all before they went nuts with the prices. Just got to fix them up which I'm in the process of doing
Jason, I JUST bought this exact machine from a guy whose mom used it for years in her Montana upholstery shop. I am so excited because I have a great Rikkar home machine I love but needed one for alternative fabrics, upholstery, feed sacks, vinyl, etc. I was so glad to see your video and I really appreciate it. Next up is getting a manual for it. Thank you! P.S. I understand your love for vintage machines, BRAVO!
That's great! I really like mine. I might do some upgrades with parts that Sailrite sells, particularly the stitch length/reverse lever, I really like how the updated Sailrite one works! If you can't find a manual, send me an email at thejasonofalltrades @ gmail . com. I might be able to help you out. Alternatively, I think Sailrite's Ultrafeed manual may be available online, and it is FAR superior to the Thompson one, and most things will apply. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi Jason, I found a manual and it is on its way. The big mystery at this point? How to wind the bobbin! Also can you buy pre-wound ones? Thank you so much for any help you can offer. Where to get the length/reverse lever?@@thejasonofalltrades
Hi Jason, I should have been more specific with my question: how do I remove the bobbin itself from the housing? I see how to wind it. Thank you in advance!@@thejasonofalltrades
@@meylabiancojohnston1875 The bobbin is in a removable case. It's easy to see if you tilt the machine back. I have a video on bobbin winding on a Singer 20U/20-33 that shows the bobbin case, it's almost identical and will explain it better than I can in words. You can find it here - th-cam.com/video/bd5ymKLWV3c/w-d-xo.html
The Thompson’s are certainly nice machines I will let you know 20 years ago I bought from EBay a Chinese Walking Foot Industrial sewing machine it was actually my very first EBay purchase and I was skeptical I did get what I was promised and in all honesty have been very happy with the purchase it looks like a Sailrite as far as the casting although Sailrite claims they own and use their own molds and proprietary parts on their machines ? Other than color it looks suspiciously the same and the Sailrite accessories work on mine FYI I am a hobby sewing person in that I make my own marine cushions ,canvas repairs , and vintage automobile interiors I’m pretty sure it is a clone of either the Thompson’s or The old White machines that the Chinese made after the original patents expired and honestly for the price it was a heck of a good deal I did enjoy your comments and review
I've had the occasional sewing machine. The one I have now is a Singer 185j found alongside the road. The most desired feature for me that I have never had is a machine with an extra long arm for getting heavier bulky material thru
Man, what road do I have to drive down to find a 185?!? Nice find! My Singer 201 has the most generous throat space of all of my machines. They're great machines if you find one. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Cynthia, check with Sailrite. They might be able to send you a copy of the manual for their machine, which is essentially the same as the Thompson. Their manual is far better than the one that came with the Thompson. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I wish I could get something like this but with a three point zig zag. But the jump between these simple zig zag machines and ones that can do a three point zigzag is a pretty huge price bump and brings with it all sorts of extra features I have no use for. I don't need a machine that can sew 2cm of leather I need a dual feed machine with a three point zigzag and straight stitch and nothing else for sewing 3/4oz coated ripstop (kite/sailboard fabric) and occasionally 1.5 oz dacron.
My first vintage machine was this same Singer 237 Fashion Mate. Properly tuned, it is a wonderful domestic machine. I have since purchased a Sailrite 111 walking foot for my heavier tasks, and it will chew through anything you can fit under the presser foot. For most other projects, I still fall back on my trusty 237. I've since sold my original machine, a "modern" Viking that cost me WAY more than it was worth.
I love my 237. I'm thinking of replacing the motor with an Alphasew (If I ever get around to it), because I think it could use a little more power, but it's definitely high on my list of most useful machines in my collection. It's funny, I've gotten more questions and comments (on different videos) in the last month about the 237, and at least two people have let me know that they've bought one. My wife had a newer Viking that cost a couple thousand bucks, and she sold it in disgust after a couple of years. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for creating this video on what a walking foot machine is, how it works, and why someone would need one of these machines. I'm enjoying watching your videos. I never thought that I would be into watching sewing machine videos. I was just wondering why you don't have the sailorite fabricator industrial machine, instead of other industrial machines that you have?
Thanks! I mostly don't have a Fabricator because I tend to buy used things more often than new things. The Fabricator seems like a good choice for a new, medium-duty industrial walking-foot machine. My only complaint about it is that it does not have the ability to use a needle-positioner, which makes the needle stop in a preset position each time you stop sewing (my preference is needle-down). I'm also a bit of a sewing machine fanatic, so even if I ever get a Fabricator, I'll probably still have and use other machines, just because it's fun :) Thanks for watching and commenting!
+MindfulProgramming Thanks! You're totally right about the audio, it bugs me too. So far it hasn't bugged me enough to do something about it, but I'm researching mic options now. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
+thejasonofalltrades I think a basic shotgun mic would do you right; possibly one that works with the camera, so the audio isn't a separate file(meaning more editing). I'm going off of Casey Neistat's(TH-cam vlogger) camera setup, which he likes to keep simple. Cheers man.
@SedaryAnne Thanks. This video was made over three years ago, in the basement of my then home, which had recently flooded, requiring us to remove the carpet. I now live (and film) in a completely different situation. I'm a big believer in the idea of "don't let the perfect get in the way of the good." If I waited to have the perfect conditions, equipment etc., I still wouldn't have made my first video! You're totally right about using rugs, etc., to absorb echos. At the time, that wasn't feasible for me, but I've made a lot of mistakes in my videos, and I think there is a general trend toward better videos as a result. Thanks for your input, and I hope you'll check out some of my more recent stuff (which still has plenty of faults!).
After watching this video I went out and bought a used sailrite knockoff for a hundred bucks, it needed a lot or tuning but I really like it now. makes excellent work of the marine vinyl I use to make motorcycle seats.
The real advantage to the Sailrite is they do an excellent job of setting them up prior to sale. The knockoffs, not so much. I was hesitant buying my Rex 607Z till I saw that Sailrite's setup and tuning videos were here on TH-cam. So I bought the Rex and set it up using Sailrite's videos and it's been good as gold. At about 1/3 the cost.
Surprisingly, this and my Sailrite in its wooden base sound pretty much identical. Putting them into an industrial-style table seems to help, but powering with an industrial servo motor made the biggest difference.
Great video! I have recently purchased a Thompson PW301 found online after reviewing several videos on Thompson and Sailrite. Working correctly it will be perfect for my sewing needs It sews forward great however it will not back stich correctly. Does anyone have a video on adjusting the reverse stich and presser foot adjustments?
I'm not sure if there are videos specific to these machines (and I sold the two I owned), but Sailrite has tons of videos on adjustments to the Ultrafeed machines, much (if not all) of that info will transfer directly to the Thompson machines. I hope that helps, thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi! Many Sailrite Ultrafeed parts are cross-compatible with Thompson machines, but NOT all. I would shop there, but you might email them before ordering anything to confirm it will fit. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Thanks for this video Jason! I have a Thompson Mini walking foot 201 in a table. I would love to make it portable--Do you know if this is possible or how to find a case that would fit it?
Hi Debra! The case this machine was in is a generic plastic case. The base of the Thompson and similar machines is the same as many vintage Singer machines. Here is a link to a case that might fit. www.sewingpartsonline.com/portable-case-singer-p60218.aspx Other options are an old Singer case if you happen to find one on the used market (Craigslist, eBay, etc.), or if you want to spend a lot of money, the Sailrite road case is pretty awesome and should be a good fit. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
thanks for the information. Im looking for a good portable industrial machine to take around on locations to do work such as on cruise ships & film locations. My man hands are too big for regular domestic machines & also i find they are not gutsy enough.So your opinion & demonstration helps me with my research. thank you for doing this. Ohh by the way the thompson machine has many names but they all do the same function & same style & size so I'm not sure if its just different companies put their own brand on the same factory made machine ...How is the thompson for light fabrics such as satin, linings,& fabrics of such?.
+dave boo boo Thanks for watching and commenting! I haven't used the Thompson on any lighter materials yet, but I imagine it would be pretty good. What kind of stuff are you making?
+thejasonofalltrades I have some light silnylon and maybe some other lightweight fabrics laying around. Let me know and I'll try to shoot a quick video of this machine sewing some light materials and we can see how it does.
id say some satins, light cottons, light weight dress fabrics ...if u could try some & let me know that would be gr8 thanks ooh & also try some stretch fabrics too. It would be good to see how diverse this machine is .
Hey Dave, I made a video about this for you. Check it out - th-cam.com/video/gRttaX2wWjI/w-d-xo.html&feature=gp-n-y&google_comment_id=z133fbrh4tq4unmnz23jjp5bgzerdvm5104
I just bought the exact same machine Thompson, but I have no idea what size thread to use and how to thread it especially when the thread reaches the needle.
Hi, These machines can use a variety of thread sizes, but are probably best with size V69 and V92. For a great guide for threading, look up the threading instructions for the Sailrite Ultrafeed on Sailrite's TH-cam channel. The Thompson is the machine the Sailrite Ultrafeed is based on. Many parts and adjustment procedures for the Sailrite Ultrafeed will also apply to the Thompson. This machine uses industrial needles in needle system 135X17 (aka DPx17), and the needles are inserted such that the thread will enter the eye of the needle from the user's left side and come out on the right. I hope that helps, enjoy your machine!
The great thing about these mini walking foot machines is that they have a toothed wheel which uses a servo timing belt and thus for $100 a Consew CSM100 servo motor with a timing wheel pulley and you have one powerful machine for $400-$450.
very helpful vids! will an industrial walking foot machine like this Thompson or a sailrite work well with silnylon? feeding issues? I'm looking to work with both heavy and light materials.. thanks
Hi Rob, So first, just to be clear, the Thompson and Sailrite Ultrafeed machines are not truly industrial machines. They are portable walking-foot machines; they use industrial sewing machine needles, but they are intended for consumer use, although they are quite capable and tough. I know it seems like I'm being overly specific about terminology, but there is a lot of confusion out there about this, I'm just trying to be consistent. (I realize the title of my video might be misleading on this subject, sorry about that.) Anyway, to your question: Yes, you CAN get these machines to sew silnylon, but they are definitely not ideal. My long-held strong opinion is that if you want to be able to sew projects out of fabrics like silnylon, and also sew thick Cordura, canvas, light leather or webbing, then you need TWO machines. The good news is that one of those machines can be very inexpensive. I do a great deal of my sewing on my Sailrite. When I have a need to sew something very thin, I switch to my Singer 237 (I paid $20, I see them on Craigslist at asking prices of $50-100 all the time). My 1936 Singer Featherweight (not exactly cheap, but worth every penny) is probably my favorite machine to sew silnylon with (my stuff sack video show this). I did a video of sewing thin stuff on the Thompson. I did not have the proper size needle or thread, and the results were mixed, but not great. Importantly, I put the same thread and similarly sized needle in my 237 and sewed the same fabrics with great results. My issue with sewing really thin stuff on the Sailrite/Thompson isn't so much that it can't be made to do it, it's that it's too time-consuming to make the necessary adjustments. If you absolutely can't devote the space to a second machine, I'd try to consider just how much thick and how much thin stuff you'll be sewing. I sewed a lot of stuff on standard vintage domestic machines before I got the Thompson and the Sailrite. They definitely make it easier, but they aren't absolutely necessary. If your sewing tends to be a lot of heavy stuff with occasional thin stuff, one of these machines might be right for you - but I'd keep my eyes peeled for a good deal on a vintage domestic machine, too! I hope that helps, thanks for your question and for watching!
yes of course, not true industrial machines. i tend to use the term loosely as well. i appreciate the clarification & the generous in-depth response =) im planning my departure on the MYOG journey & it’s becoming clear that two machines is the way to go. i have since seen your video on silnylon with the thompson. im just beginning so id rather not add to the learning curve by using the wrong tool. to begin with, im probably gonna pull the trigger on a husqvarna viking 64 40 down the street. should sew the slippery nylon just fine, plus it has a low’n’slow gear for occasional thicker stuff when i need it. I like that its made in sweden. as i progress ill add a stronger machine for all the bombproof gear. thanks for the vids. in my online learning process, i can only listen to bubbly chicks talk about theyre crafty sewing projects for so long! youre filling a needed niche.
I don't know you as a channel host yet. So, if I may I'd like to ask if I may make a suggestion for our (subscriber/viewer) ease of use. You titles are extraordinarily descript which is very useful... ...Except for when seeking the next video in a series, to find that the titling is not all displayed (part#). That stated, would you possibly consider creating playlists for corresponding videos, and possibly links to others in a series within the description? Thank you for all of your truly educational content!!! :-D
@@torishepherd2388 sorry just saw this message. I got it from goldstartool dot com. I hope that helps. It's a New-Tec GS-607Z Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machine.
I'm so glad I found your video just in time. I just bought a Family Sew that looks just like your Thompson Mini, but it didn't come with the base. Could you direct me as to where I can start to locate one?
Hi! This base is a generic base that is commonly available (Amazon, Joann Fabrics, etc,. should have them). Also, this machine will fit in many vintage domestic sewing machine tables. I have a couple of old Singer tables that it fits in, and it makes the machine much more user-friendly. Thanks for watching!
I have that exact machine at home. Mine is a little temperamental. I replaced it with a Sail Rite machine that is identical and has more power. I was considering contacting sail rite to see if i can retrofit one of their motors on the Thompson and change the footer so I could use the footer change option like i have on the Sail rite. Please let me know if you had any issues with your Thompson.
I haven't, but I have a Sailrite now, so the Thompson doesn't get used that much these days. I find them to be very similar, but the Sailrite has a much better reverse lever/stitch length adjustment. Thanks for watching!
I was just looking at a sailrite until I saw this. These are very reasonable compared to Sailrite. Some of the features are better. I'm new to sewing, I looked this up and Rex popped up. The zig zag machine was a hundred more. 399.00 total Sailrite 1345.00 complete. Any thoughts because I am on a boat and cast iron and salt air. You know.
Hi, The Thompson is the machine the Sailrite was based on (through agreement between the companies). The Thompson is no longer produced. They pop up somewhat rarely on the used market, and can be a great buy if you can find one. Regarding the knock-off brands, I'm going to copy my reply to another comment of yours here, for the benefit of those reading these comments - " I have a well-documented negative opinion about the knock-off machines in general, primarily on ethical grounds. This is something I'm planning to cover in an upcoming video. In general, based on my current information, I understand that the other portable walking-foot machines on the market are all illicitly profiting from "stealing" the Sailrite design. For me, it's worth spending my money on the real deal. However, we all have budgets. I would suspect that the knock-off machines would probably function fine, although I'd also suspect their quality assurance to be less stringent, so there might be an increased chance of getting a faulty unit, and almost certainly poor customer support. That's my two cents in a nutshell. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion."
I have a Pfaff 935 and I think it is about as strong but the throat appears to be slightly bigger on your machine. Mine is also a walking foot. I am not sure that I would sew anything heavier than a #4 duck with Levi type seams. Could the Thompson or Sailrite sew a # 1 duck?
I'm currently working on a project with #10 waxed canvas, but I've never tried #1 duck. Thick seams on 1650 Denier ballistic nylon have been no problem for me. If I have the opportunity to try some #1 duck I'll post something about it! I'm not familiar with the 935, but I have 2 Pfaff domestic machines (260 and 360) and I've used a 1245 industrial, and I LOVE Pfaff machines!
I just recently purchased a Thompson PW500. I like the idea of having spare parts. Any idea where I can find the bobbin case and shuttle hook for the machine. Looking on the Sail Rite sight it looks as if their bobbin case and shuttle hook for Ultrafeed, Yachtsman is the same? Do you know if this is correct? Also, WELCOME TO FLORIDA! Home in St. Augustine.
Thanks! I've still never made it up to St. Augustine, I need to do that! I believe the parts on Sailrite's site will fit the PW-500, it is identical to the LS-1. You should contact Sailrite before you order if you're not sure, just to save yourself the trouble of having to return something, but I'm pretty certain the parts will interchange. If you have any trouble finding out from them, let me know and I'll swap parts between my machines to see. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Sewing machine addiction. Hello, My Name is Rusty, and I'm an addict. LOL> I gave away 4 machines and sold my Singer Model 29. I regret them all but life is sacrifice. Now using a sailrite lsz-1.
Hi Jason! I just bought an older Consew CP206R, very much like your Thompson. I’m fairly familiar with the older style domestic machines (have a Kenmore 158 from 1978 that I love) but I have a thorny stitch tension issue with the Consew that I’ve only partially resolved. The top thread tension seems okay, but no matter what I do, I get a tiny bit of the bobbin thread showing in between the top stitches. I can’t tighten the bobbin tension any further, or it won’t sew. Any suggestions for what I could try, that I may have overlooked? I’m using industrial size 20 needle and Tex 69 thread as recommended, sewing multiple layers for fabrics.
Hi! My best guess is you might try replacing the bobbin case. I had this problem on my Consew 206RB industrial machine. I suspect the spring on the bobbin case loses enough of its "springiness" and can't provide sufficient tension anymore. I think your machine uses a class 15 bobbin? If that's the case, you might be able to find a new case at a regular sewing/fabric store, it's a very common part. Otherwise, the internet is covered with them. I hope that helps, let me know how it turns out!
I paid $350 for this one, and I think that's a fair price. A new Sailrite is more than twice that, so it's a considerable savings over one of those. There are cheap knock-off versions that can be had for $3-400 (last I checked), but they are apparently quite poorly made, or at least inconsistent. As with any used, no longer produced item, the real answer is, "it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it." I have two, plus a Sailrite, plus a couple of industrial walking-foot machines, so I would be hesitant to pay much for one, but it might be worth more to someone who needs their first walking-foot machine. Good luck!
I don't know of any way to adjust the feed dog, but I have heard that people who use these for soft leathers grind down the feed dogs so they are smoother to prevent damaging the leather. I believe Sailrite sells a ground feed dog, you might check with them. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Would this sew leather like for a hand bag. I have been looking at the Sailrite and love that they get such good reviews and their customer service is top notch. I just don't know if 1200.00 price tag is worth it. I can get a Seiko with a servo motor for the same money in a table. I have 8 or 10 domestic machines i use all the time but want the strength of an industrial, but don't want to lose all the space so this seems pretty awesome if I could find one. May be a lot more reasonable too. Great video..
Thanks very much! First, you may want to check out my review of the Sailrite LS1. If you don't need all of the extras in the premium packages (you don't), the LS1 is only around $650, and the LSZ1 is around $750. They're well worth considering at that price (if that price is something you can consider). The LS1 I have is, for all intents, identical to the Thompson in this video. Either would be fine for sewing lighter leathers of the kind you'd use for hand bags. If you can find a Thompson, they're great, and any replacement parts you might need are available from Sailrite. I've seen three of them pop up on Craigslist over the last few years, and they seem to hover in the $300-ish range. I'm in a similar position as you - I have 7 machines at the moment, and I'd love to have a real industrial, but I have very limited space right now. The Thompson and the Sailrite provide enough capability for the heavy nylons and webbing that I mostly use. Thanks for your question, and thanks for watching!
I know I don't need an industrial sewing machine, but I found your video and I am interested in your comparison between the "semi-industrial" machine and the vintage domestic machine. I don't have the space, budget, need, or desire for an industrial machine, but sometimes my modern domestic machine just doesn't cut it. For example, every few years when I buy a new pair of jeans I need to shorten the hem, and I have always done this by hand because my machine complains the whole time and jams if I try to approach a seam. Your video has made me think that perhaps I should check out thrift stores and look for a vintage domestic machine like that Singer you showed. So I have two questions: one, do you think a machine like your Singer might be tough enough for occasional tricky jobs, and two, what should I look for at thrift stores to assess whether a particular machine is tough enough?
Hi, So, in terms of vintage domestic machine compared to a portable walking-foot machine (like the Thompson or Sailrite Ultrafeed), the question isn't about toughness. It's about feeding. A vintage domestic machine is plenty tough and powerful enough to sew any reasonable heaviness of material you like. However, it may have a hard time feeding it, especially at seams or other areas where thickness changes abruptly. The portable walking-foot machines mimic the feeding capability of a walking-foot industrial machine, but in the compact, portable package of a domestic machine. My opinion is if you occasionally sew thick canvas, Cordura, lightweight leather, and primarily sew a variety of fabrics trending toward the lighter side, then stick with a vintage domestic. If you ALWAYS sew heavier materials, then either a portable walking-foot machine, or an industrial walking-foot machine (if you can spare the space and don't need portability) might be a better choice. I'm of the opinion that the best sewing machine is (at least) TWO sewing machines - a vintage domestic and some kind of walking foot. You might check out my "why do I have so many sewing machines?" and "do you need an industrial walking foot sewing machine?" videos for more on this. Thanks for watching!
i have just purchased a pw-301. it is missing the tensioner knob. i cant seem to find a replacement. im new to this and am trying to get this machine going. it is also looking for the bobbin case. any help would be appreciated. thanks
Sailrite has parts for the Ultrafeed machines that should fit. I'm certain the bobbin case they carry fits, and I'm pretty sure about the tension knob. You might contact them before ordering. Good luck, and thanks for watching!
Hi! Thread breakages can be caused by a number of things; improperly threaded, tension too high, wrong needle size, needle not inserted properly and others. What machine are you using, and under what conditions is the thread breaking?
I just purchased a Thompson PW-201. The thread tensioner is on the end, so the threading is a little different. Having a hard time with threading. Any info on that? The biggest problem is that I discovered that it has teeth on the bottom of the walking foot and it marks veg tanned leather baldy. Do you know if there is a smooth surface replacement foot I can buy or if it might be possible to grind off the teeth? If I did that on the outer feet, would the smooth middle foot still function properly or would the change in height of the outside feet affect the performance? Thanks.
Another viewer had the same problem with the feed dogs on her Sailrite machine, and Sailrite ground the teeth down for her, I believe. I think Sailrite is now selling feed dogs that are ground for use with leather. I don't know if the 301 is compatible, you might contact them to find out. As far as threading, the 301 is different from my 500, but I googled it and found this diagram, hopefully it will work for you - www.fixya.com/support/t9995824-need_know Thanks for your questions, and thanks for watching!
Hi Vinny, Until I can get around to making a video - hold the bobbin case in your left hand, with the opening for the bobbin facing to the right (or away from your palm). Hold the bobbin in your right hand with the thread going over the top, away from you. Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case. Route the thread under the tension spring (flat spring) and out through the opening at the end of the spring. Tension on the bobbin thread should be enough that you can hold the bobbin and case in the air by the thread without the thread unspooling - but if you give it a little shake it should start to unspool. If you're still having trouble, email me at "the jason of all trades @ gmail . com" (
I'd suggest that you first try un-threading and re-threading your machine. If that doesn't help, try re-winding the bobbin as well. If that doesn't change anything, you might need to change your needle as it may be either worn out, or the wrong size for your fabric/thread. I think the needle is the most common culprit for skipped stitches. If none of these works, you might need to find a qualified sewing machine repair person in your area and have your machine tuned up. Thanks for watching! Let us know how it goes, and good luck!
+Nancy McLellan Hi Nancy. My machine came with a bunch of needles, so I haven't had to buy any yet, but Sailrite.com sells needles. They sell a version of this machine, so they might be a good place to start. What tension problems are you having?
+thejasonofalltrades Thanks for the quick reply. After spending 2 full days tinkering I am close to happy with it...first it wouldn't pick up thread...needle in wrong.....bottom tension was way too loose....still a bit off but acceptable. Will try Sailrite for needles....thanks again. By the way do you know where I can find manual...on line one I found did not have correct tension assembly.
Hi Jason I'm enjoying watching your videos and have learned so much - thank you! Keep up the good work :) I have been looking to buy a sewing machine, mainly for upholstery (sewing cotton, wool and sewing material on to foam to create quilted panels) and maybe some leather work (2mm-4mm). It would be for hobby use. I'm looking at Singer 237, do you think this would be a good choice? The other machine I was looking at was the Pfaff 30 - any thoughts on this one? If neither of these fit the bill, do you think I would be better holding out for something like your Thompson Mini Walking Foot? Though these appear to be quite hard to get hold off in Scotland. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Many thanks Scott
Hi Scott! Coincidentally, I just got another Singer, a 348, and it was made in Scotland, apparently. So, depending on what you mean by "upholstery," I think the 237 is a good choice. I've run v69 thread (generally the heaviest thread recommended for domestic machines) through it all the time, and I've sewn materials ranging from very thin to reasonably thick with it. Parts are available (there's a replacement motor from Alphasew that apparently adds some speed and power, but I don't know anything more about it). That said, I've become very fond of walking foot machines. The feeding of thicker materials is just far more reliable. My best advice? Both. Maybe start with the 237, and see if it isn't up to par with some of your thicker seams. If it works perfectly all the time, well, great! If you find yourself having to help the fabric through the machine, maybe a mini-walker or Sailrite would be a good next step. For the record, I made a lot of stuff before I got my Thompson - it's just easier with it or my Sailrite! I find myself using my Sailrite about 70% of the time, and either my 237 or my Pfaff 260 ( I need to make a video about that machine, it's just glorious) for things like bag linings or other thinner fabrics. The Thompson is now backup for the Sailrite, or if I want to have two different threads for a project I might use both so I don't have to re-thread back and forth (the luxury of having 8 sewing machines!). You might want to check out a video I did a while back, "Walking Foot For Thinner Fabrics" (or something like that). It shows the unscientific results I found when trying to sew thinner fabric on my Thompson, and then on the 237. It might help you decide which way is more likely to work best for you. I hope that helps - if you have other questions, ask away! Good luck, and thanks so much for watching! Jason
Glad I could inspire some interest in products made in your home! Regarding your upholstery project, first, I LOVE Cechaflo. That guy says more without speaking than I could dream of. As far as the project, it's all about the materials. Walking foot machines excel at feeding heavier (or slippery) materials, but you can certainly sew upholstery vinyls, leathers, foam, etc. with a 237 (or similar). A teflon foot (or a stick-on teflon pad, see my "tip for sewing vinyl" video) will improve feeding dramatically (there are other feet like roller feet, but I've never used one). There are other tricks like putting the fabric (vinyl, leather or foam) on newspaper and sewing it, then tearing off the newspaper (the paper makes the material slide over the bed of the machine more easily). Many people have done lots of upholstery projects with machines less capable than a 237. You might have to be inventive, take your time, and it might not be as easy as with an industrial walking foot machine, but it's not impossible. My opinion would be find a vintage (and hopefully inexpensive) machine, and go for it. If you find you reach a point it can't handle, then you'll have to decide if you need to step up to a more capable machine. I think the 237 will probably handle everything you're planning to do. Incidentally, two people have contacted me in the last month to let me know they've bought 237s, and I've had several other questions about them. Apparently 237s are in the spotlight right now! Let me know what you end up with, and how your project turns out! (Seriously, I'd love an update!)
Thanks Jason. Thats really helpful- love the newspaper trick. I am in the throes of renovating a design studio. I would be buying the sewing machine for upholstering a custom booth... although I am way ahead of myself - that's realistically months away. It's a crazy busy week. But I think I will try to pick up the machine at the weekend (if it is still there) and store it until I am ready to go. I will be sure to let you know how I get on. I'm hoping to have the place ship shape in a couple of months then build the wooden carus - then I will have some news! Will keep you posted. Will check out your vinyl video - sounds like that could be really useful info too. Thanks again and all the best Scott
I'm pretty sure I saw the hook on their site. www.sailrite.com/Scarfed-Shuttle-Hook-Ultrafeed-Yachtsman You might want to give them a call or email, they can probably help you out. Their website isn't the easiest to navigate, unfortunately.
I have no experience with the Omega machines, but it appears that they are a knock-off of the Thompson/Sailrite design. The 9" throat is nice, my Singer 20U has that much space, and it's very helpful for larger items. For $450, you might be able to find an older (which means better, in my opinion) used industrial machine. If you don't mind a non-walking foot, and if you have room for an industrial table, the Singer 20U series of machines is probably a better machine in every way, and I bought mine used for $300. (You can check out the video of that machine on my channel if you're interested.) What kind of projects do you sew? Thanks for watching!
I've heard of Morse, but I don't have any personal experience with them. They look to be typical of the era, which is to say they're probably great machines. Manuals are available online, but I don't know about parts availability or compatibility with other makes. I'd probably buy one if it was in good shape and cheap enough, but that's just me. Here's a site with some good background info - www.needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php/Morse
I just got this exact same machine and noticed some resistance with the hand wheel on mine, much moreso than my light duty home machine. Did you find this as well or does my machine need a tune up? I've oiled all the moving parts.
Without being able to feel what yours feels like, I can only guess, but here's my take on it: my Thompson feels "stiffer" when I turn the wheel than say, my Pfaff 260, which is the smoothest of all of my machines. The Thompson, in general, feels clunky, and is not what I would describe as "pleasurable to use." However, it's a workhorse, and gets the job done better than my other machines when it comes to layers of heavier fabrics that my other machines have a hard time feeding. I would hazard a guess that what you are describing is normal for the machine, but if it seems excessive to you, it might be worth finding a reputable sewing machine repair person in your area (if you can) and getting it checked just to be sure. Thanks for the question, and let me know how it turns out!
These machines use industrial needles, needle system 135X17, also known as DPx17. They are available in a wide range of sizes, similar to home machines. I tend to use between size 18 and 22 most of the time, but the size of the needle is determined by the thread you are using, and the size of the thread is determined by the fabric, generally speaking.
FYI-I emailed Sailrite and told them I have a Sailrite machine and I also have this Thompson Mini Walking foot machine like the one in the video. I asked if Sailrite parts could be retrofitted onto a Thompson PW300 . Particularly the motor and the presser foot assembly. They told me the presser foot assembly should work fine. The motor will be a bit more of a challenge to match our current production machines. But I believe this one would work: www.sailrite.com/Motor-110-Volt-for-Ultrafeeds
hi! maybe you can help me out... first off thanks for the videos...! second i am considering buying an industrial because i need a faster machine i have been using a toyota "jeans" which is like 100$ and i gotta say that i was able to do pretty much everything obviously a 1000$ sewing machine allows u to make things easily but i've notice that the speed doen't really change, even for that large price difference my toyota is 800 stitches per minute and i couldn't find a machine that has more speed... so i am considering an industrial.... can you give me some advises? thanks!
+Key-Ara Kawaii Orlandi First, I'm an amateur, so take any advice from me with a grain of salt, as they say. Your machine doesn't appear to be available in the US, and I'm not familiar with it, but I generally stick to 1970s and older machines - I haven't found anything newer that I like, and the older machines are rock-solid. As far as stitch speed is concerned, I've seen a LOT of content on TH-cam and other places where people are trying to SLOW DOWN their industrial machines. 4000 stitches a minute can get out of control really fast! My fastest machine is probable in the 1100-1300 range, and I almost never run full speed, but that might be different for you depending upon what you make with yours (I rarely have really long straight runs of stitching, myself). Most of my time is spent on all the stuff you do that isn't sewing, anyway! (Patterning, cutting, mocking-up, seam ripping, etc.) Let me know what you're making with your machine! You might want to take a look at the TH-cam channel of "TheSergeant." He has some GREAT videos on older industrial machines, many of which can be had for well under $1000 (maybe under $500 depending on your market, but you'll likely not have reverse or zig-zag capabilities). Also check out some of his reviews of vintage NON-industrial machines, you might learn some helpful info and save some money if you can identify a non-industrial that works for your application. If you're like me, you'll end up buying several machines.... Hope that helps, and thanks for watching and asking!
+JIMPONYD This particular machine uses industrial needles, so it CAN use somewhat heavier thread, but the thread I've used so far is #69, which I've used in my non-industrial machines with great success.
We have a Thompson mini walking foot model pw 200 and need to get a manual and bobbin and bobbin case. Would you have any suggestions for how to get 1) a manual and 2) parts? Thank you in advance!
+Karen Chef A website called tias.com has manuals you can purchase or download. I have NO experience with them, but they have one for the Thompson. Sailrite has bobbins and cases. The ones for their "Ultrafeed" series should fit (they look identical as far as I can tell, and the Ultrafeed machine is developed from the Thompson). I would urge you to contact Sailrite and make sure, though. Good luck and thanks for watching!
The machine came with it when I purchased it. I'm not sure if they are available anywhere online, and I have since sold the machine. These machines are similar enough to the Sailrite Ultrafeed that their manual should have any information you need, and I think a video version of the Ultrafeed manual is on Sailrite's TH-cam channel. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Yes, it will sew reasonable thicknesses of leather (upholstery thicknesses for example). I made a wallet with my Sailrite, which is essentially the same machine, out of some leather scraps (some with the fur still on it) and it worked great. Thanks for watching!
I don't have any personal experience with the 220, but I currently own a 206RB-1, and my workplace has 3 206RB-5s. I like those machines a lot! I have an opinion on non-walking-foot industrial machines that might be relevant, though. The vast majority of what I sew is heavier fabrics, rubber inner tubes, webbing, occasionally light leather, etc. For that kind of stuff, I find a walking foot to be indispensable. For a short time, I owned a Singer 20-33 non-walking-foot industrial, and one of the reasons I sold it it that it was not really more capable than my vintage domestic machines (although it was MUCH faster). If your sewing involves materials that aren't particularly heavy, you want to sew fast and you want the convenience of an industrial table and knee-lift, then a non-walking-foot industrial might be for you. If, on the other hand, you are seeking a machine that is more capable of handling heavy or difficult-to-feed materials (any machine can penetrate inner tube, but feeding is another thing altogether), then I'd recommend sticking to walking-foot machines. There is a reason that non-walking-foot industrials are a LOT cheaper to buy than walking-foot machines. I hope that helps, thanks the question, and thanks for watching!
@@thejasonofalltrades Eventually I want the sailrite but right now it is not in the budget. I got 2 of these with tables about a dozen rolls of bonded polyester thread ( 1 # spools ) nylon webbing about 100 needles and some miscellaneous supplies for $300. Mostly to work on my own camping stuff. These were used to sew molle II and alice pouches.The company lost their govt contract and shut down. I figure it should be something for me to learn with and not break the bank.
Hey Keefe, This machine is a PW-500. It takes 135X17 needle system needles (that gets a little complicated, Google it and get comfortable), sizes 18, 20 and 22 (according to the manual). Thanks for your questions, and thanks for watching!
I appreciate the videos. I asked because (at the time), I was bidding on a Thompson Thompson walking foot sewing machine on ebay. I put in a very cautious bid because I'm wary of used equipment that I cannot examine. I've bought some used camera equipment on ebay and occasionally get lucky with a reliable piece of equipment. I've also been burned a few times. Ultimately, I've decided it's a matter of luck. So fortunately, someone outbid me for this machine and I'm totally fine with that. I then considered buying one of several Chinese knock-offs new on Amazon, but am also wary for the same reason. The reviews are mixed. Some get good units, others not so much. After a lot of thought, I've decided to pony up for a brand new sailrite ultrafeed. It costs more, but I think it will mean fewer headaches in the long run.
This machine is no longer manufactured by this company. Sailrite is my go-to for this type ion machine. There are many less-expensive machines of this same design, but in my experience, Sailrite's quality is far better, and they have excellent customer service and have continued to innovate and improve on the design. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
The Thompson is the design on which the Sailrite Ultrafeed machines are based. Sailrite entered into an agreement with the manufacturer of the Thompson machines, and for some time they were manufactured under both names, but at some point Thompson left the field. But yes, this machine is identical to an older Sailrite Ultrafeed. I have a Sailrite now, as well, and I prefer using it because of the improved reverse lever/stitch length adjuster, but in some ways the Thompson feels a little more solidly built. If you can find one on the used market, I highly recommend it if you're looking for a portable walking-foot machine! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I just picked up a Thompson on Craigslist. I oiled it up and got special needles for us. It works great!
I have the Sailrite straight stitch. I use it for hemming jeans and it does a beautiful job. I found and old school fold down sewing machine cabinet in a second hand store for 20 bucks.. the machine fits inside perfectly. the pins on the cabinet are the exact same spacing as the holes on the back of the machine
That is a really good piece of information! Thanks for writing it.
Good solid Advice i bought one of the Walking Foot sewing Machines off Ebay that are basically a Chinese knockoff of eith a old Thompson or a White machine that the patents expired and they copied. mine is over 12 years old and its worked awesome for all these years keep in mind i purchased it to do Marine Vinyl and Canvas mostly for myself and friends but i found i enjoyed it so much that i also have done some Automobile Interiors on the machine basically all the Sailrites parts will work on mine with little or no modifications my machine does use the Industrial Needles and will do a ZigZag as well ive had to do no upgrades or fixes yet other than normal maintenance ill add that it does use a different Bobbin than many other _” home “ machines yet they are available in many places another note is that one upgrade i may do is install the Sailrites heavy Duty Power Wheel that people claim you can get the machine to run at a much slower rate for me as a hobbyist that may come in handy. When making a lot of tricky turns although ive been quite pleased with what i can do folks also reccomend using a Huquarva motor set up that has some high tech gadgety inside the electronics that send more power to the motor whenever it detects a need to do so ? Again mine works with the motor that was on the machine so i. Haven’t done that or found a need to do so its probably more. Out of ignorance. In my case Truthfully as i am actually a retired Woodworker who was forced to do a early retirement due to a Traumatic Brain Injury i suffered on a operating table during a complicated lifesaving operation on my heart 10 years ago although the seller stated to me the machine wasn’t intended for heavy Leathers like Saddles i do feel it would power though them if i tool my time as ive stiched Vinyl onto thin plywood for some interior parts on a Vintage Car of mine although the manufacturer had used a heavy Carboard to stitch the original ones that I found out after the fact BTW
Along with all of my home machines, and my industrial straight.zig/zag, I also have the Rex607Z which is similar to your Thompson mini, except that it also does zig zag...It was also a very good price new at just a little over 300.00...I love it for certain projects where only a walking foot machine will do...
How is that Rex holding up? I've heard they leave something to be desired in the way of tolerances and reliability.
Great video! I've learned alot from watching. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Thank you for your advice she's up and running it was the bobbin thanks again LP
All I have is the vintage sewing machines. Most of mine are either 66 class or 15 class. I have some kenmore's but everything is from the '70s and earlier they seem to work really well doing what I need to do but any of the industrial stuff that I've seen in my area even the small stuff that needs a lot of servicing. They want $1,000 or more for and they're getting ridiculous on the vintage machines that don't work wanting $600 in my area I'm glad I've got the machines I got. I got them all before they went nuts with the prices. Just got to fix them up which I'm in the process of doing
Jason, I JUST bought this exact machine from a guy whose mom used it for years in her Montana upholstery shop. I am so excited because I have a great Rikkar home machine I love but needed one for alternative fabrics, upholstery, feed sacks, vinyl, etc. I was so glad to see your video and I really appreciate it. Next up is getting a manual for it. Thank you! P.S. I understand your love for vintage machines, BRAVO!
That's great! I really like mine. I might do some upgrades with parts that Sailrite sells, particularly the stitch length/reverse lever, I really like how the updated Sailrite one works!
If you can't find a manual, send me an email at thejasonofalltrades @ gmail . com. I might be able to help you out. Alternatively, I think Sailrite's Ultrafeed manual may be available online, and it is FAR superior to the Thompson one, and most things will apply.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi Jason, I found a manual and it is on its way. The big mystery at this point? How to wind the bobbin! Also can you buy pre-wound ones? Thank you so much for any help you can offer. Where to get the length/reverse lever?@@thejasonofalltrades
Hi Jason, I should have been more specific with my question: how do I remove the bobbin itself from the housing? I see how to wind it. Thank you in advance!@@thejasonofalltrades
@@meylabiancojohnston1875 The bobbin is in a removable case. It's easy to see if you tilt the machine back. I have a video on bobbin winding on a Singer 20U/20-33 that shows the bobbin case, it's almost identical and will explain it better than I can in words. You can find it here - th-cam.com/video/bd5ymKLWV3c/w-d-xo.html
The Thompson’s are certainly nice machines I will let you know 20 years ago I bought from EBay a Chinese Walking Foot Industrial sewing machine it was actually my very first EBay purchase and I was skeptical I did get what I was promised and in all honesty have been very happy with the purchase it looks like a Sailrite as far as the casting although Sailrite claims they own and use their own molds and proprietary parts on their machines ? Other than color it looks suspiciously the same and the Sailrite accessories work on mine FYI I am a hobby sewing person in that I make my own marine cushions ,canvas repairs , and vintage automobile interiors I’m pretty sure it is a clone of either the Thompson’s or The old White machines that the Chinese made after the original patents expired and honestly for the price it was a heck of a good deal I did enjoy your comments and review
I've had the occasional sewing machine. The one I have now is a Singer 185j found alongside the road. The most desired feature for me that I have never had is a machine with an extra long arm for getting heavier bulky material thru
Man, what road do I have to drive down to find a 185?!? Nice find!
My Singer 201 has the most generous throat space of all of my machines. They're great machines if you find one.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks! I inherited my mom's Thompson but not the manual. This was helpful.
Cynthia, check with Sailrite. They might be able to send you a copy of the manual for their machine, which is essentially the same as the Thompson. Their manual is far better than the one that came with the Thompson.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I wish I could get something like this but with a three point zig zag. But the jump between these simple zig zag machines and ones that can do a three point zigzag is a pretty huge price bump and brings with it all sorts of extra features I have no use for. I don't need a machine that can sew 2cm of leather I need a dual feed machine with a three point zigzag and straight stitch and nothing else for sewing 3/4oz coated ripstop (kite/sailboard fabric) and occasionally 1.5 oz dacron.
My first vintage machine was this same Singer 237 Fashion Mate. Properly tuned, it is a wonderful domestic machine. I have since purchased a Sailrite 111 walking foot for my heavier tasks, and it will chew through anything you can fit under the presser foot. For most other projects, I still fall back on my trusty 237. I've since sold my original machine, a "modern" Viking that cost me WAY more than it was worth.
I love my 237. I'm thinking of replacing the motor with an Alphasew (If I ever get around to it), because I think it could use a little more power, but it's definitely high on my list of most useful machines in my collection. It's funny, I've gotten more questions and comments (on different videos) in the last month about the 237, and at least two people have let me know that they've bought one.
My wife had a newer Viking that cost a couple thousand bucks, and she sold it in disgust after a couple of years.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Yeah I have been looking for this post!!!!
Thanks for creating this video on what a walking foot machine is, how it works, and why someone would need one of these machines. I'm enjoying watching your videos. I never thought that I would be into watching sewing machine videos. I was just wondering why you don't have the sailorite fabricator industrial machine, instead of other industrial machines that you have?
Thanks!
I mostly don't have a Fabricator because I tend to buy used things more often than new things. The Fabricator seems like a good choice for a new, medium-duty industrial walking-foot machine. My only complaint about it is that it does not have the ability to use a needle-positioner, which makes the needle stop in a preset position each time you stop sewing (my preference is needle-down).
I'm also a bit of a sewing machine fanatic, so even if I ever get a Fabricator, I'll probably still have and use other machines, just because it's fun :)
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm really excited to have found your channel. This is just what I've been looking for. My only gripe is the audio quality.
+MindfulProgramming Thanks! You're totally right about the audio, it bugs me too. So far it hasn't bugged me enough to do something about it, but I'm researching mic options now. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
+thejasonofalltrades I think a basic shotgun mic would do you right; possibly one that works with the camera, so the audio isn't a separate file(meaning more editing). I'm going off of Casey Neistat's(TH-cam vlogger) camera setup, which he likes to keep simple. Cheers man.
@SedaryAnne Thanks. This video was made over three years ago, in the basement of my then home, which had recently flooded, requiring us to remove the carpet. I now live (and film) in a completely different situation. I'm a big believer in the idea of "don't let the perfect get in the way of the good." If I waited to have the perfect conditions, equipment etc., I still wouldn't have made my first video!
You're totally right about using rugs, etc., to absorb echos. At the time, that wasn't feasible for me, but I've made a lot of mistakes in my videos, and I think there is a general trend toward better videos as a result.
Thanks for your input, and I hope you'll check out some of my more recent stuff (which still has plenty of faults!).
@@thejasonofalltrades Hang quilts on the walls. They are beautiful and great sound absorbers.
Once again super helpful Jason! Thanks
After watching this video I went out and bought a used sailrite knockoff for a hundred bucks, it needed a lot or tuning but I really like it now. makes excellent work of the marine vinyl I use to make motorcycle seats.
The real advantage to the Sailrite is they do an excellent job of setting them up prior to sale. The knockoffs, not so much. I was hesitant buying my Rex 607Z till I saw that Sailrite's setup and tuning videos were here on TH-cam. So I bought the Rex and set it up using Sailrite's videos and it's been good as gold. At about 1/3 the cost.
jgwinks how do you like the Rex? I am seriously considering it
Mine came in a custom wooden base that seems to deaden the sound considerably. That plastic case probably resonates a lot.
Surprisingly, this and my Sailrite in its wooden base sound pretty much identical. Putting them into an industrial-style table seems to help, but powering with an industrial servo motor made the biggest difference.
Great video! I have recently purchased a Thompson PW301 found online after reviewing several videos on Thompson and Sailrite. Working correctly it will be perfect for my sewing needs
It sews forward great however it will not back stich correctly. Does anyone have a video on adjusting the reverse stich and presser foot adjustments?
I'm not sure if there are videos specific to these machines (and I sold the two I owned), but Sailrite has tons of videos on adjustments to the Ultrafeed machines, much (if not all) of that info will transfer directly to the Thompson machines.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching and commenting!
Awsome thank you i just bought one today never used nos for 150. I think fair price
I paid twice that for mine, happily. $150 is a steal, congratulations!
@@thejasonofalltrades i had no idea lol dumb luck
Great video. I have the same machine--PW-500. What source would I go to for replacement parts for this Thompson?
Hi!
Many Sailrite Ultrafeed parts are cross-compatible with Thompson machines, but NOT all. I would shop there, but you might email them before ordering anything to confirm it will fit.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Thanks for this video Jason! I have a Thompson Mini walking foot 201 in a table. I would love to make it portable--Do you know if this is possible or how to find a case that would fit it?
Hi Debra!
The case this machine was in is a generic plastic case. The base of the Thompson and similar machines is the same as many vintage Singer machines. Here is a link to a case that might fit. www.sewingpartsonline.com/portable-case-singer-p60218.aspx
Other options are an old Singer case if you happen to find one on the used market (Craigslist, eBay, etc.), or if you want to spend a lot of money, the Sailrite road case is pretty awesome and should be a good fit.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
@@thejasonofalltrades Thanks so much!
thanks for the information. Im looking for a good portable industrial machine to take around on locations to do work such as on cruise ships & film locations. My man hands are too big for regular domestic machines & also i find they are not gutsy enough.So your opinion & demonstration helps me with my research. thank you for doing this. Ohh by the way the thompson machine has many names but they all do the same function & same style & size so I'm not sure if its just different companies put their own brand on the same factory made machine ...How is the thompson for light fabrics such as satin, linings,& fabrics of such?.
+dave boo boo Thanks for watching and commenting! I haven't used the Thompson on any lighter materials yet, but I imagine it would be pretty good. What kind of stuff are you making?
+thejasonofalltrades I have some light silnylon and maybe some other lightweight fabrics laying around. Let me know and I'll try to shoot a quick video of this machine sewing some light materials and we can see how it does.
id say some satins, light cottons, light weight dress fabrics ...if u could try some & let me know that would be gr8 thanks ooh & also try some stretch fabrics too. It would be good to see how diverse this machine is .
Hey Dave, I made a video about this for you. Check it out - th-cam.com/video/gRttaX2wWjI/w-d-xo.html&feature=gp-n-y&google_comment_id=z133fbrh4tq4unmnz23jjp5bgzerdvm5104
I just bought the exact same machine Thompson, but I have no idea what size thread to use and how to thread it especially when the thread reaches the needle.
Hi,
These machines can use a variety of thread sizes, but are probably best with size V69 and V92. For a great guide for threading, look up the threading instructions for the Sailrite Ultrafeed on Sailrite's TH-cam channel. The Thompson is the machine the Sailrite Ultrafeed is based on. Many parts and adjustment procedures for the Sailrite Ultrafeed will also apply to the Thompson.
This machine uses industrial needles in needle system 135X17 (aka DPx17), and the needles are inserted such that the thread will enter the eye of the needle from the user's left side and come out on the right.
I hope that helps, enjoy your machine!
just found your channel. Good videos. I have a Sailrite with the zigzag. love it. subscribed
+Ron Thompson Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The great thing about these mini walking foot machines is that they have a toothed wheel which uses a servo timing belt and thus for $100 a Consew CSM100 servo motor with a timing wheel pulley and you have one powerful machine for $400-$450.
Wait, you can upgrade a Thompson with this motor?
very helpful vids!
will an industrial walking foot machine like this Thompson or a sailrite work well with silnylon? feeding issues?
I'm looking to work with both heavy and light materials.. thanks
Hi Rob,
So first, just to be clear, the Thompson and Sailrite Ultrafeed machines are not truly industrial machines. They are portable walking-foot machines; they use industrial sewing machine needles, but they are intended for consumer use, although they are quite capable and tough. I know it seems like I'm being overly specific about terminology, but there is a lot of confusion out there about this, I'm just trying to be consistent. (I realize the title of my video might be misleading on this subject, sorry about that.) Anyway, to your question: Yes, you CAN get these machines to sew silnylon, but they are definitely not ideal. My long-held strong opinion is that if you want to be able to sew projects out of fabrics like silnylon, and also sew thick Cordura, canvas, light leather or webbing, then you need TWO machines.
The good news is that one of those machines can be very inexpensive. I do a great deal of my sewing on my Sailrite. When I have a need to sew something very thin, I switch to my Singer 237 (I paid $20, I see them on Craigslist at asking prices of $50-100 all the time). My 1936 Singer Featherweight (not exactly cheap, but worth every penny) is probably my favorite machine to sew silnylon with (my stuff sack video show this).
I did a video of sewing thin stuff on the Thompson. I did not have the proper size needle or thread, and the results were mixed, but not great. Importantly, I put the same thread and similarly sized needle in my 237 and sewed the same fabrics with great results.
My issue with sewing really thin stuff on the Sailrite/Thompson isn't so much that it can't be made to do it, it's that it's too time-consuming to make the necessary adjustments.
If you absolutely can't devote the space to a second machine, I'd try to consider just how much thick and how much thin stuff you'll be sewing. I sewed a lot of stuff on standard vintage domestic machines before I got the Thompson and the Sailrite. They definitely make it easier, but they aren't absolutely necessary. If your sewing tends to be a lot of heavy stuff with occasional thin stuff, one of these machines might be right for you - but I'd keep my eyes peeled for a good deal on a vintage domestic machine, too!
I hope that helps, thanks for your question and for watching!
yes of course, not true industrial machines. i tend to use the term loosely as well.
i appreciate the clarification & the generous in-depth response =)
im planning my departure on the MYOG journey & it’s becoming clear that two machines is the way to go.
i have since seen your video on silnylon with the thompson. im just beginning so id rather not add to the learning curve by using the wrong tool. to begin with, im probably gonna pull the trigger on a husqvarna viking 64 40 down the street. should sew the slippery nylon just fine, plus it has a low’n’slow gear for occasional thicker stuff when i need it. I like that its made in sweden. as i progress ill add a stronger machine for all the bombproof gear. thanks for the vids. in my online learning process, i can only listen to bubbly chicks talk about theyre crafty sewing projects for so long! youre filling a needed niche.
I don't know you as a channel host yet.
So, if I may I'd like to ask if I may make a suggestion for our (subscriber/viewer) ease of use.
You titles are extraordinarily descript which is very useful...
...Except for when seeking the next video in a series, to find that the titling is not all displayed (part#).
That stated, would you possibly consider creating playlists for corresponding videos, and possibly links to others in a series within the description?
Thank you for all of your truly educational content!!! :-D
+TheRangeControl Thanks for the tip! I haven't made any playlists yet, I'll have to give that a try, good idea.
+thejasonofalltrades Thank you for the grace of your consideration.
TheRangeControl n
Just bought the new tech version of this machine and it was on sale. Delivered with case for 301 bucks. Pretty good I think.
Where did you order it from?
@@torishepherd2388 sorry just saw this message. I got it from goldstartool dot com. I hope that helps. It's a New-Tec GS-607Z Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machine.
I'm so glad I found your video just in time. I just bought a Family Sew that looks just like your Thompson Mini, but it didn't come with the base. Could you direct me as to where I can start to locate one?
Hi!
This base is a generic base that is commonly available (Amazon, Joann Fabrics, etc,. should have them). Also, this machine will fit in many vintage domestic sewing machine tables. I have a couple of old Singer tables that it fits in, and it makes the machine much more user-friendly.
Thanks for watching!
I have that exact machine at home. Mine is a little temperamental. I replaced it with a Sail Rite machine that is identical and has more power. I was considering contacting sail rite to see if i can retrofit one of their motors on the Thompson and change the footer so I could use the footer change option like i have on the Sail rite. Please let me know if you had any issues with your Thompson.
I haven't, but I have a Sailrite now, so the Thompson doesn't get used that much these days. I find them to be very similar, but the Sailrite has a much better reverse lever/stitch length adjustment.
Thanks for watching!
I was just looking at a sailrite until I saw this. These are very reasonable compared to Sailrite. Some of the features are better. I'm new to sewing, I looked this up and Rex popped up. The zig zag machine was a hundred more. 399.00 total
Sailrite 1345.00 complete. Any thoughts because I am on a boat and cast iron and salt air. You know.
Hi,
The Thompson is the machine the Sailrite was based on (through agreement between the companies). The Thompson is no longer produced. They pop up somewhat rarely on the used market, and can be a great buy if you can find one.
Regarding the knock-off brands, I'm going to copy my reply to another comment of yours here, for the benefit of those reading these comments -
" I have a well-documented negative opinion about the knock-off machines in general, primarily on ethical grounds. This is something I'm planning to cover in an upcoming video.
In general, based on my current information, I understand that the other portable walking-foot machines on the market are all illicitly profiting from "stealing" the Sailrite design. For me, it's worth spending my money on the real deal. However, we all have budgets. I would suspect that the knock-off machines would probably function fine, although I'd also suspect their quality assurance to be less stringent, so there might be an increased chance of getting a faulty unit, and almost certainly poor customer support.
That's my two cents in a nutshell. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion."
Hey brother let's connect... my grandpa designed this sewing machine :) ..I can't believe I found a review here on you tube... awesome:)
Hey, I'd love to hear more about this! Under the "about" tab on my channel page you can find my email address if you'd like to get in touch.
I'd like to know the history of the machine and the company.
I have a Pfaff 935 and I think it is about as strong but the throat appears to be slightly bigger on your machine. Mine is also a walking foot. I am not sure that I would sew anything heavier than a #4 duck with Levi type seams. Could the Thompson or Sailrite sew a # 1 duck?
I'm currently working on a project with #10 waxed canvas, but I've never tried #1 duck. Thick seams on 1650 Denier ballistic nylon have been no problem for me. If I have the opportunity to try some #1 duck I'll post something about it!
I'm not familiar with the 935, but I have 2 Pfaff domestic machines (260 and 360) and I've used a 1245 industrial, and I LOVE Pfaff machines!
I just recently purchased a Thompson PW500. I like the idea of having spare parts. Any idea where I can find the bobbin case and shuttle hook for the machine. Looking on the Sail Rite sight it looks as if their bobbin case and shuttle hook for Ultrafeed, Yachtsman is the same? Do you know if this is correct? Also, WELCOME TO FLORIDA! Home in St. Augustine.
Thanks! I've still never made it up to St. Augustine, I need to do that!
I believe the parts on Sailrite's site will fit the PW-500, it is identical to the LS-1. You should contact Sailrite before you order if you're not sure, just to save yourself the trouble of having to return something, but I'm pretty certain the parts will interchange. If you have any trouble finding out from them, let me know and I'll swap parts between my machines to see.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Sewing machine addiction. Hello, My Name is Rusty, and I'm an addict. LOL> I gave away 4 machines and sold my Singer Model 29. I regret them all but life is sacrifice. Now using a sailrite lsz-1.
LOL I was up to 7, but holding at 6 at the moment. (Unfortunately, 5 of them are being held hostage in Colorado by my moving company at the moment.)
Hi Jason! I just bought an older Consew CP206R, very much like your Thompson. I’m fairly familiar with the older style domestic machines (have a Kenmore 158 from 1978 that I love) but I have a thorny stitch tension issue with the Consew that I’ve only partially resolved. The top thread tension seems okay, but no matter what I do, I get a tiny bit of the bobbin thread showing in between the top stitches. I can’t tighten the bobbin tension any further, or it won’t sew. Any suggestions for what I could try, that I may have overlooked? I’m using industrial size 20 needle and Tex 69 thread as recommended, sewing multiple layers for fabrics.
Hi!
My best guess is you might try replacing the bobbin case. I had this problem on my Consew 206RB industrial machine. I suspect the spring on the bobbin case loses enough of its "springiness" and can't provide sufficient tension anymore.
I think your machine uses a class 15 bobbin? If that's the case, you might be able to find a new case at a regular sewing/fabric store, it's a very common part. Otherwise, the internet is covered with them.
I hope that helps, let me know how it turns out!
thejasonofalltrades many thanks! I’ll give it a go.
@thejasonofalltrades - it worked! Thank you so much!!
@@ccreel64 Awesome! Thanks for letting me know!
the reverse on the singer does not operate the same way.. the singer you move the lever up the other machine you move the lever down
Great Video, I’m going to look at one today. What price range is good for the Thompson walking foot?
I paid $350 for this one, and I think that's a fair price. A new Sailrite is more than twice that, so it's a considerable savings over one of those. There are cheap knock-off versions that can be had for $3-400 (last I checked), but they are apparently quite poorly made, or at least inconsistent.
As with any used, no longer produced item, the real answer is, "it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it." I have two, plus a Sailrite, plus a couple of industrial walking-foot machines, so I would be hesitant to pay much for one, but it might be worth more to someone who needs their first walking-foot machine.
Good luck!
Is there any way to adjust the feed dog? My machine is tearing through the top coat of the vinyl that im sewing
I don't know of any way to adjust the feed dog, but I have heard that people who use these for soft leathers grind down the feed dogs so they are smoother to prevent damaging the leather. I believe Sailrite sells a ground feed dog, you might check with them.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Would this sew leather like for a hand bag. I have been looking at the Sailrite and love that they get such good reviews and their customer service is top notch. I just don't know if 1200.00 price tag is worth it. I can get a Seiko with a servo motor for the same money in a table. I have 8 or 10 domestic machines i use all the time but want the strength of an industrial, but don't want to lose all the space so this seems pretty awesome if I could find one. May be a lot more reasonable too. Great video..
Thanks very much!
First, you may want to check out my review of the Sailrite LS1. If you don't need all of the extras in the premium packages (you don't), the LS1 is only around $650, and the LSZ1 is around $750. They're well worth considering at that price (if that price is something you can consider).
The LS1 I have is, for all intents, identical to the Thompson in this video. Either would be fine for sewing lighter leathers of the kind you'd use for hand bags.
If you can find a Thompson, they're great, and any replacement parts you might need are available from Sailrite. I've seen three of them pop up on Craigslist over the last few years, and they seem to hover in the $300-ish range.
I'm in a similar position as you - I have 7 machines at the moment, and I'd love to have a real industrial, but I have very limited space right now. The Thompson and the Sailrite provide enough capability for the heavy nylons and webbing that I mostly use.
Thanks for your question, and thanks for watching!
I just picked up a walking foot singer 111W155 at auction for $60 USA Dollars. With the moter and table
I'll give you $70 for it. ;)
That's an incredible deal, congratulations!
Amazing video thanks a lot 👍
I know I don't need an industrial sewing machine, but I found your video and I am interested in your comparison between the "semi-industrial" machine and the vintage domestic machine. I don't have the space, budget, need, or desire for an industrial machine, but sometimes my modern domestic machine just doesn't cut it. For example, every few years when I buy a new pair of jeans I need to shorten the hem, and I have always done this by hand because my machine complains the whole time and jams if I try to approach a seam. Your video has made me think that perhaps I should check out thrift stores and look for a vintage domestic machine like that Singer you showed. So I have two questions: one, do you think a machine like your Singer might be tough enough for occasional tricky jobs, and two, what should I look for at thrift stores to assess whether a particular machine is tough enough?
Hi,
So, in terms of vintage domestic machine compared to a portable walking-foot machine (like the Thompson or Sailrite Ultrafeed), the question isn't about toughness. It's about feeding.
A vintage domestic machine is plenty tough and powerful enough to sew any reasonable heaviness of material you like. However, it may have a hard time feeding it, especially at seams or other areas where thickness changes abruptly.
The portable walking-foot machines mimic the feeding capability of a walking-foot industrial machine, but in the compact, portable package of a domestic machine.
My opinion is if you occasionally sew thick canvas, Cordura, lightweight leather, and primarily sew a variety of fabrics trending toward the lighter side, then stick with a vintage domestic. If you ALWAYS sew heavier materials, then either a portable walking-foot machine, or an industrial walking-foot machine (if you can spare the space and don't need portability) might be a better choice. I'm of the opinion that the best sewing machine is (at least) TWO sewing machines - a vintage domestic and some kind of walking foot.
You might check out my "why do I have so many sewing machines?" and "do you need an industrial walking foot sewing machine?" videos for more on this.
Thanks for watching!
What bobbins should I order for this machine? Thank you.
These machines use a class 1for 5 bobbin, commonly available including at places like Joann Fabrics.
Thanks for watching!
i have just purchased a pw-301. it is missing the tensioner knob. i cant seem to find a replacement. im new to this and am trying to get this machine going. it is also looking for the bobbin case. any help would be appreciated. thanks
Sailrite has parts for the Ultrafeed machines that should fit. I'm certain the bobbin case they carry fits, and I'm pretty sure about the tension knob. You might contact them before ordering.
Good luck, and thanks for watching!
My thread keeps breaking, what could be the problem
Hi!
Thread breakages can be caused by a number of things; improperly threaded, tension too high, wrong needle size, needle not inserted properly and others.
What machine are you using, and under what conditions is the thread breaking?
I just purchased a Thompson PW-201. The thread tensioner is on the end, so the threading is a little different. Having a hard time with threading. Any info on that? The biggest problem is that I discovered that it has teeth on the bottom of the walking foot and it marks veg tanned leather baldy. Do you know if there is a smooth surface replacement foot I can buy or if it might be possible to grind off the teeth? If I did that on the outer feet, would the smooth middle foot still function properly or would the change in height of the outside feet affect the performance? Thanks.
Another viewer had the same problem with the feed dogs on her Sailrite machine, and Sailrite ground the teeth down for her, I believe. I think Sailrite is now selling feed dogs that are ground for use with leather. I don't know if the 301 is compatible, you might contact them to find out.
As far as threading, the 301 is different from my 500, but I googled it and found this diagram, hopefully it will work for you -
www.fixya.com/support/t9995824-need_know
Thanks for your questions, and thanks for watching!
I have the same machine It bunches up above the bobbin can you show how to load the bobbin etc.
Hi Vinny,
Until I can get around to making a video - hold the bobbin case in your left hand, with the opening for the bobbin facing to the right (or away from your palm). Hold the bobbin in your right hand with the thread going over the top, away from you. Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case. Route the thread under the tension spring (flat spring) and out through the opening at the end of the spring. Tension on the bobbin thread should be enough that you can hold the bobbin and case in the air by the thread without the thread unspooling - but if you give it a little shake it should start to unspool.
If you're still having trouble, email me at "the jason of all trades @ gmail . com" (
have a Thompson walking foot it started skipping stitches can you tell me how to fix it please thank you
I'd suggest that you first try un-threading and re-threading your machine. If that doesn't help, try re-winding the bobbin as well. If that doesn't change anything, you might need to change your needle as it may be either worn out, or the wrong size for your fabric/thread. I think the needle is the most common culprit for skipped stitches. If none of these works, you might need to find a qualified sewing machine repair person in your area and have your machine tuned up.
Thanks for watching! Let us know how it goes, and good luck!
What are model numbers please ?
I have a Mini walking foot 301. Have had a hard time adjusting tension! Can't quite get it right.....Do you know where I can get needles?
+Nancy McLellan Hi Nancy. My machine came with a bunch of needles, so I haven't had to buy any yet, but Sailrite.com sells needles. They sell a version of this machine, so they might be a good place to start.
What tension problems are you having?
+thejasonofalltrades Thanks for the quick reply. After spending 2 full days tinkering I am close to happy with it...first it wouldn't pick up thread...needle in wrong.....bottom tension was way too loose....still a bit off but acceptable. Will try Sailrite for needles....thanks again. By the way do you know where I can find manual...on line one I found did not have correct tension assembly.
Nancy, email me - thejasonofalltrades AT gmail.com. I might be able to help you with the manual.
Hi Jason
I'm enjoying watching your videos and have learned so much - thank you! Keep up the good work :)
I have been looking to buy a sewing machine, mainly for upholstery (sewing cotton, wool and sewing material on to foam to create quilted panels) and maybe some leather work (2mm-4mm).
It would be for hobby use. I'm looking at Singer 237, do you think this would be a good choice? The other machine I was looking at was the Pfaff 30 - any thoughts on this one?
If neither of these fit the bill, do you think I would be better holding out for something like your Thompson Mini Walking Foot? Though these appear to be quite hard to get hold off in Scotland.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Scott
Hi Scott!
Coincidentally, I just got another Singer, a 348, and it was made in Scotland, apparently.
So, depending on what you mean by "upholstery," I think the 237 is a good choice. I've run v69 thread (generally the heaviest thread recommended for domestic machines) through it all the time, and I've sewn materials ranging from very thin to reasonably thick with it. Parts are available (there's a replacement motor from Alphasew that apparently adds some speed and power, but I don't know anything more about it).
That said, I've become very fond of walking foot machines. The feeding of thicker materials is just far more reliable.
My best advice? Both. Maybe start with the 237, and see if it isn't up to par with some of your thicker seams. If it works perfectly all the time, well, great! If you find yourself having to help the fabric through the machine, maybe a mini-walker or Sailrite would be a good next step. For the record, I made a lot of stuff before I got my Thompson - it's just easier with it or my Sailrite!
I find myself using my Sailrite about 70% of the time, and either my 237 or my Pfaff 260 ( I need to make a video about that machine, it's just glorious) for things like bag linings or other thinner fabrics. The Thompson is now backup for the Sailrite, or if I want to have two different threads for a project I might use both so I don't have to re-thread back and forth (the luxury of having 8 sewing machines!).
You might want to check out a video I did a while back, "Walking Foot For Thinner Fabrics" (or something like that). It shows the unscientific results I found when trying to sew thinner fabric on my Thompson, and then on the 237. It might help you decide which way is more likely to work best for you.
I hope that helps - if you have other questions, ask away! Good luck, and thanks so much for watching!
Jason
Glad I could inspire some interest in products made in your home!
Regarding your upholstery project, first, I LOVE Cechaflo. That guy says more without speaking than I could dream of.
As far as the project, it's all about the materials. Walking foot machines excel at feeding heavier (or slippery) materials, but you can certainly sew upholstery vinyls, leathers, foam, etc. with a 237 (or similar). A teflon foot (or a stick-on teflon pad, see my "tip for sewing vinyl" video) will improve feeding dramatically (there are other feet like roller feet, but I've never used one). There are other tricks like putting the fabric (vinyl, leather or foam) on newspaper and sewing it, then tearing off the newspaper (the paper makes the material slide over the bed of the machine more easily).
Many people have done lots of upholstery projects with machines less capable than a 237. You might have to be inventive, take your time, and it might not be as easy as with an industrial walking foot machine, but it's not impossible.
My opinion would be find a vintage (and hopefully inexpensive) machine, and go for it. If you find you reach a point it can't handle, then you'll have to decide if you need to step up to a more capable machine. I think the 237 will probably handle everything you're planning to do.
Incidentally, two people have contacted me in the last month to let me know they've bought 237s, and I've had several other questions about them. Apparently 237s are in the spotlight right now!
Let me know what you end up with, and how your project turns out! (Seriously, I'd love an update!)
Thanks Jason. Thats really helpful- love the newspaper trick.
I am in the throes of renovating a design studio. I would be buying the sewing machine for upholstering a custom booth... although I am way ahead of myself - that's realistically months away.
It's a crazy busy week. But I think I will try to pick up the machine at the weekend (if it is still there) and store it until I am ready to go. I will be sure to let you know how I get on. I'm hoping to have the place ship shape in a couple of months then build the wooden carus - then I will have some news!
Will keep you posted.
Will check out your vinyl video - sounds like that could be really useful info too.
Thanks again and all the best
Scott
i was told that i need the hook too. i have tried to find one and cant. any ideas. ive scoured several websites including sailrite
I'm pretty sure I saw the hook on their site.
www.sailrite.com/Scarfed-Shuttle-Hook-Ultrafeed-Yachtsman
You might want to give them a call or email, they can probably help you out.
Their website isn't the easiest to navigate, unfortunately.
do you have an opinion on the Omega machines? (walking foot) I like the fact that they have a 9 inch workspace
I have no experience with the Omega machines, but it appears that they are a knock-off of the Thompson/Sailrite design. The 9" throat is nice, my Singer 20U has that much space, and it's very helpful for larger items. For $450, you might be able to find an older (which means better, in my opinion) used industrial machine. If you don't mind a non-walking foot, and if you have room for an industrial table, the Singer 20U series of machines is probably a better machine in every way, and I bought mine used for $300. (You can check out the video of that machine on my channel if you're interested.)
What kind of projects do you sew?
Thanks for watching!
Elma supematic
Have you ever heard of a sewing brand called "Morse"? If so, how are they?
I've heard of Morse, but I don't have any personal experience with them. They look to be typical of the era, which is to say they're probably great machines. Manuals are available online, but I don't know about parts availability or compatibility with other makes. I'd probably buy one if it was in good shape and cheap enough, but that's just me.
Here's a site with some good background info -
www.needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php/Morse
+thejasonofalltrades THANK YOU! :-D
TheRangeControl Anytime!
I just got this exact same machine and noticed some resistance with the hand wheel on mine, much moreso than my light duty home machine. Did you find this as well or does my machine need a tune up? I've oiled all the moving parts.
Without being able to feel what yours feels like, I can only guess, but here's my take on it: my Thompson feels "stiffer" when I turn the wheel than say, my Pfaff 260, which is the smoothest of all of my machines. The Thompson, in general, feels clunky, and is not what I would describe as "pleasurable to use." However, it's a workhorse, and gets the job done better than my other machines when it comes to layers of heavier fabrics that my other machines have a hard time feeding.
I would hazard a guess that what you are describing is normal for the machine, but if it seems excessive to you, it might be worth finding a reputable sewing machine repair person in your area (if you can) and getting it checked just to be sure.
Thanks for the question, and let me know how it turns out!
What size of needle does it use
These machines use industrial needles, needle system 135X17, also known as DPx17. They are available in a wide range of sizes, similar to home machines. I tend to use between size 18 and 22 most of the time, but the size of the needle is determined by the thread you are using, and the size of the thread is determined by the fabric, generally speaking.
FYI-I emailed Sailrite and told them I have a Sailrite machine and I also have this Thompson Mini Walking foot machine like the one in the video. I asked if Sailrite parts could be retrofitted onto a Thompson PW300 . Particularly the motor and the presser foot assembly. They told me the presser foot assembly should work fine. The motor will be a bit more of a challenge to match our current production machines. But I believe this one would work: www.sailrite.com/Motor-110-Volt-for-Ultrafeeds
hi! maybe you can help me out...
first off thanks for the videos...!
second i am considering buying an industrial because i need a faster machine
i have been using a toyota "jeans" which is like 100$ and i gotta say that i was able to do pretty much everything
obviously a 1000$ sewing machine allows u to make things easily
but i've notice that the speed doen't really change, even for that large price difference
my toyota is 800 stitches per minute
and i couldn't find a machine that has more speed... so i am considering an industrial....
can you give me some advises? thanks!
+Key-Ara Kawaii Orlandi First, I'm an amateur, so take any advice from me with a grain of salt, as they say. Your machine doesn't appear to be available in the US, and I'm not familiar with it, but I generally stick to 1970s and older machines - I haven't found anything newer that I like, and the older machines are rock-solid.
As far as stitch speed is concerned, I've seen a LOT of content on TH-cam and other places where people are trying to SLOW DOWN their industrial machines. 4000 stitches a minute can get out of control really fast! My fastest machine is probable in the 1100-1300 range, and I almost never run full speed, but that might be different for you depending upon what you make with yours (I rarely have really long straight runs of stitching, myself). Most of my time is spent on all the stuff you do that isn't sewing, anyway! (Patterning, cutting, mocking-up, seam ripping, etc.)
Let me know what you're making with your machine!
You might want to take a look at the TH-cam channel of "TheSergeant." He has some GREAT videos on older industrial machines, many of which can be had for well under $1000 (maybe under $500 depending on your market, but you'll likely not have reverse or zig-zag capabilities). Also check out some of his reviews of vintage NON-industrial machines, you might learn some helpful info and save some money if you can identify a non-industrial that works for your application.
If you're like me, you'll end up buying several machines.... Hope that helps, and thanks for watching and asking!
Thanks for the video. What about the thread? Do you generally need to use a different stronger thread with this machine?
+JIMPONYD This particular machine uses industrial needles, so it CAN use somewhat heavier thread, but the thread I've used so far is #69, which I've used in my non-industrial machines with great success.
+thejasonofalltrades Oh, and you might find my "Sewing Machine Basics" videos useful, if you haven't seen them already!
We have a Thompson mini walking foot model pw 200 and need to get a manual and bobbin and bobbin case. Would you have any suggestions for how to get 1) a manual and 2) parts? Thank you in advance!
+Karen Chef A website called tias.com has manuals you can purchase or download. I have NO experience with them, but they have one for the Thompson. Sailrite has bobbins and cases. The ones for their "Ultrafeed" series should fit (they look identical as far as I can tell, and the Ultrafeed machine is developed from the Thompson). I would urge you to contact Sailrite and make sure, though. Good luck and thanks for watching!
where did you get the manual??
The machine came with it when I purchased it. I'm not sure if they are available anywhere online, and I have since sold the machine.
These machines are similar enough to the Sailrite Ultrafeed that their manual should have any information you need, and I think a video version of the Ultrafeed manual is on Sailrite's TH-cam channel.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Can you sew leather with a Thompson like yours?
Yes, it will sew reasonable thicknesses of leather (upholstery thicknesses for example). I made a wallet with my Sailrite, which is essentially the same machine, out of some leather scraps (some with the fur still on it) and it worked great.
Thanks for watching!
What is your opinion of the Consew 220 industrial machine ?
I don't have any personal experience with the 220, but I currently own a 206RB-1, and my workplace has 3 206RB-5s. I like those machines a lot!
I have an opinion on non-walking-foot industrial machines that might be relevant, though.
The vast majority of what I sew is heavier fabrics, rubber inner tubes, webbing, occasionally light leather, etc. For that kind of stuff, I find a walking foot to be indispensable. For a short time, I owned a Singer 20-33 non-walking-foot industrial, and one of the reasons I sold it it that it was not really more capable than my vintage domestic machines (although it was MUCH faster).
If your sewing involves materials that aren't particularly heavy, you want to sew fast and you want the convenience of an industrial table and knee-lift, then a non-walking-foot industrial might be for you. If, on the other hand, you are seeking a machine that is more capable of handling heavy or difficult-to-feed materials (any machine can penetrate inner tube, but feeding is another thing altogether), then I'd recommend sticking to walking-foot machines.
There is a reason that non-walking-foot industrials are a LOT cheaper to buy than walking-foot machines.
I hope that helps, thanks the question, and thanks for watching!
@@thejasonofalltrades Eventually I want the sailrite but right now it is not in the budget. I got 2 of these with tables about a dozen rolls of bonded polyester thread ( 1 # spools ) nylon webbing about 100 needles and some miscellaneous supplies for $300. Mostly to work on my own camping stuff. These were used to sew molle II and alice pouches.The company lost their govt contract and shut down. I figure it should be something for me to learn with and not break the bank.
I like more And sew, machine shows
I keep watching but I keep missing $$ amount you paid for the Thompson.
I paid about $350, about 6t years ago I think.
Thanks for the video.... What is the model number on the machine? Also, what is the range of needle sizes that it can accept? Thanks again, KB.
Hey Keefe,
This machine is a PW-500. It takes 135X17 needle system needles (that gets a little complicated, Google it and get comfortable), sizes 18, 20 and 22 (according to the manual).
Thanks for your questions, and thanks for watching!
I appreciate the videos. I asked because (at the time), I was bidding on a Thompson Thompson walking foot sewing machine on ebay. I put in a very cautious bid because I'm wary of used equipment that I cannot examine. I've bought some used camera equipment on ebay and occasionally get lucky with a reliable piece of equipment. I've also been burned a few times. Ultimately, I've decided it's a matter of luck. So fortunately, someone outbid me for this machine and I'm totally fine with that. I then considered buying one of several Chinese knock-offs new on Amazon, but am also wary for the same reason. The reviews are mixed. Some get good units, others not so much. After a lot of thought, I've decided to pony up for a brand new sailrite ultrafeed. It costs more, but I think it will mean fewer headaches in the long run.
Where can I order one?
This machine is no longer manufactured by this company. Sailrite is my go-to for this type ion machine. There are many less-expensive machines of this same design, but in my experience, Sailrite's quality is far better, and they have excellent customer service and have continued to innovate and improve on the design.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
The Thompson/Sailrite machines are friggin cool - but so fukn noisy. It would drive me nuts.
I need a this machine
How much u get it for?
I paid $300 or so for this one.
Pfaff 145, 545,1245 . If your going to buy a industrial walking foot machine , Buy the very beat ........
Yep......sailrite with other color.....
Why do you have so many machines?
th-cam.com/video/D1fey3C7kd0/w-d-xo.html
This looks like a sailrite machine.
The Thompson is the design on which the Sailrite Ultrafeed machines are based. Sailrite entered into an agreement with the manufacturer of the Thompson machines, and for some time they were manufactured under both names, but at some point Thompson left the field. But yes, this machine is identical to an older Sailrite Ultrafeed. I have a Sailrite now, as well, and I prefer using it because of the improved reverse lever/stitch length adjuster, but in some ways the Thompson feels a little more solidly built. If you can find one on the used market, I highly recommend it if you're looking for a portable walking-foot machine!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I can hardly see what he is doing, his hands are in the way.
Sorry about that. Thanks for the feedback!
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