Just bought a Singer 44s (heavy duty) for $50 used. Haven't built anything with it yet. I have a Consew 226 that I use for most of my heavy stuff. The Singer looks like it will work fine for my lighter stuff, and lighter cordura with just a few layers. Thanks.
Nice review! Which singer heavy duty is it? I'm guessing the 4423 based on the price range you quoted I just got the 4423, I'm really happy so far. I watched the Amazon warehouse and found one for $85 cause the box was damaged, the sewing machine is perfect. If you have this machine my wife gave me a good tip for controlling the speed, sew barefoot! Much better control of the pedal.
How high can you lift the foot? Would it be possible to sew shoulder straps, using one of those thin blue foam pads, so that +fabric and webbing, around 10mm total. I have been looking at the singer 1507 and the singer heavy duty. Not sure I can afford the heavy duty, but besides the weaker motor the 1507 looks pretty similar. Thanks!
@@RedPawPacks Awesome, thank you for the reply. I decided to try out the 1507, I believe the foot will probably be able to raise to the same height as the heavy duty, so hopefully that will work well enough! What do you use for sewing shoulderstraps?
@@RedPawPacks that's a bit of a machine, did you have that available when you started the company or how did you sew the shoulder straps on your first backpack?
@@Therealbrowk First pack ever was sewn on an $80 Brother home machine. I think that pack project literally broke some internal parts and put it out of time. Trashed it after. Then used a "semi-industrial" after that called the Singer 20U53. Definitely a light duty machine, but it worked well enough. After realizing how much I wanted to focus on packs and thicker materials, as well as start making gear for sale, I invested in the Juki.
Thank you SO much ! I’ve tried to look thru countless videos of people just talking finally someone just say it outright- I saw A regular heavy duty ( 150$)and a computerized (220$) HD machine ( both are singer & at Walmart - any thoughts ?
If this is going to be your main machine for the forseeable future, then the computerized might be a nice upgrade. If it has needle positioning sync and/or thread snipping that would be amazing (not sure the model you are looking at). The regular HD has been great to me, so no complaints there. Still use it a bunch-- even though I have 4 industrial machines.
Any tips on "bar tacks" with this machine? Would you use a few stitches in zig-zag or straight stitch? I'm having problems with my shoulder straps. Cheers
It's hard to do a "fake" bartack on a shoulder strap with foam on this machine. My best method: do a straight stitch forward then rotate and do a narrow, short stitch zig zag over the same stitch line. If wanting to reinforce again, do another straight stitch over that.
Hey! I do. I'm still using the machine nearly every day after many years. If your main focus is to use heavier fabrics or make things like shoulder strap assemblies for bags, I'd advise you to look elsewhere. But if you tend to work on light to medium weight fabrics, this is a great machine for that.
I've seen you sewing X-PAC fabric on this Singer machine, how it feels sewing X-PAC on it? And do you use your Juki for sewing outdoor fabrics and what specs you recommend to look for when choosing sewing machine for sewing outdoor? Great video by the way. Also what do you think of sewing speed of this machine, is pedal too sensitive or you can do slow sewing with no problem?
Sewing Xpac on this machine is "acceptable" as long as you keep it to as few layers as possible and use a larger sized needle. The pedal is plastic but is surprisingly easy to control. The Juki 1541 is a great machine for outdoor gear / packs. Generally for machine specs, a walking foot or needle feed is the most important thing.
Hi there! Looking at the Amazon link, it says the machines are $450. Was there an increase in the price recently? Facebook Marketplace has some for around $350. Thanks!
His is the middle of the road HD machine. The 4452 is typically around $350. However prices are up since machines were mass purchased for COVID use and some sneaky people are reselling them for a profit.
Hello, I purchased this machine and I'm wondering if it will go through the heavier XPAC fabrics. Like the VX07, VX21,VX42 and possibly more? Also do you recommend V69 bonded nylon for thread? I want to make pouches and bags from these fabrics
@@irismartyn4088 lol I did not. I sort gave up on sewing and I had trouble with figuring how to design a bag lol. I've offen jump hobby to hobby so no worries. I did enjoy learning about fabrics and fashion when I was interested at the time.
@@salex2330 fair enough man, thanks for getting back to me! I'm the same with hobbies, I'll always find myself wanting to sew, leaving the idea for a month or so then coming back to videos like these eventually haha.
I find that these machines are too fast.Very difficult to make them go slowly. I tried to adjust the screw under the pedal but it does not change anything. Apart from that, they are good for the price.
Try using the pedal barefoot for more control. I’ve gotten used to the speed (slower than my industrial), but if you haven’t, hand crank the wheel when it’s required
Do you realize how vague and generalizing that statement is? It's like saying every car made by Ford or Toyota is crap, and you shouldn't buy either. Maybe your machine is a lemon, or broken. Singer has been making sewing machines for hundreds of years, and make excellent sewing machines today.
Bought mine 2016 its been bomb proof!
Made life easier.
Just bought a Singer 44s (heavy duty) for $50 used. Haven't built anything with it yet. I have a Consew 226 that I use for most of my heavy stuff. The Singer looks like it will work fine for my lighter stuff, and lighter cordura with just a few layers. Thanks.
That's a good combo to hit a big range of sewing tasks. Thanks for watching!
What about the 6335M, it is supposed to be stronger?
This review was helpful. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Nice review! Which singer heavy duty is it? I'm guessing the 4423 based on the price range you quoted I just got the 4423, I'm really happy so far. I watched the Amazon warehouse and found one for $85 cause the box was damaged, the sewing machine is perfect. If you have this machine my wife gave me a good tip for controlling the speed, sew barefoot! Much better control of the pedal.
It’s the 4423. That is a heck of a deal!
Would this machine be good for lightweight stretchy fabrics? Like Lycra for cycling jerseys and shorts? The heavy duty name kinda throws me off.
Definitely works well for light and stretchy stuff!!
How high can you lift the foot? Would it be possible to sew shoulder straps, using one of those thin blue foam pads, so that +fabric and webbing, around 10mm total. I have been looking at the singer 1507 and the singer heavy duty. Not sure I can afford the heavy duty, but besides the weaker motor the 1507 looks pretty similar. Thanks!
Seems the foot can raise about 3/8". I believe it would work for shoulder straps with a bit of adjusting to get it under
@@RedPawPacks Awesome, thank you for the reply. I decided to try out the 1507, I believe the foot will probably be able to raise to the same height as the heavy duty, so hopefully that will work well enough! What do you use for sewing shoulderstraps?
@@Therealbrowk I do all my heavy work on the Juki 1541, an industrial walking foot machine
@@RedPawPacks that's a bit of a machine, did you have that available when you started the company or how did you sew the shoulder straps on your first backpack?
@@Therealbrowk First pack ever was sewn on an $80 Brother home machine. I think that pack project literally broke some internal parts and put it out of time. Trashed it after. Then used a "semi-industrial" after that called the Singer 20U53. Definitely a light duty machine, but it worked well enough. After realizing how much I wanted to focus on packs and thicker materials, as well as start making gear for sale, I invested in the Juki.
How does this stuff work with 500d codura?
Thanks bro, i was looking for a "cheap" sew machine that can handle cordura
Thank you SO much ! I’ve tried to look thru countless videos of people just talking finally someone just say it outright- I saw A regular heavy duty ( 150$)and a computerized (220$) HD machine ( both are singer & at Walmart - any thoughts ?
If this is going to be your main machine for the forseeable future, then the computerized might be a nice upgrade. If it has needle positioning sync and/or thread snipping that would be amazing (not sure the model you are looking at). The regular HD has been great to me, so no complaints there. Still use it a bunch-- even though I have 4 industrial machines.
Any tips on "bar tacks" with this machine? Would you use a few stitches in zig-zag or straight stitch? I'm having problems with my shoulder straps. Cheers
It's hard to do a "fake" bartack on a shoulder strap with foam on this machine. My best method: do a straight stitch forward then rotate and do a narrow, short stitch zig zag over the same stitch line. If wanting to reinforce again, do another straight stitch over that.
Hello! do you still recommend this sewing machine as the first one? In my country, the actual price is $200. thanks for the answer.
Hey! I do. I'm still using the machine nearly every day after many years. If your main focus is to use heavier fabrics or make things like shoulder strap assemblies for bags, I'd advise you to look elsewhere. But if you tend to work on light to medium weight fabrics, this is a great machine for that.
I've seen you sewing X-PAC fabric on this Singer machine, how it feels sewing X-PAC on it? And do you use your Juki for sewing outdoor fabrics and what specs you recommend to look for when choosing sewing machine for sewing outdoor? Great video by the way.
Also what do you think of sewing speed of this machine, is pedal too sensitive or you can do slow sewing with no problem?
Sewing Xpac on this machine is "acceptable" as long as you keep it to as few layers as possible and use a larger sized needle. The pedal is plastic but is surprisingly easy to control. The Juki 1541 is a great machine for outdoor gear / packs. Generally for machine specs, a walking foot or needle feed is the most important thing.
Hi there! Looking at the Amazon link, it says the machines are $450. Was there an increase in the price recently? Facebook Marketplace has some for around $350. Thanks!
His is the middle of the road HD machine. The 4452 is typically around $350. However prices are up since machines were mass purchased for COVID use and some sneaky people are reselling them for a profit.
Look on Walmart - or Joann fabrics I saw 150 and Joann has one a bit higher
Where did you get that cool lamp?
One of my more recent videos is a review of it!
Hello, I purchased this machine and I'm wondering if it will go through the heavier XPAC fabrics. Like the VX07, VX21,VX42 and possibly more? Also do you recommend V69 bonded nylon for thread? I want to make pouches and bags from these fabrics
Did you ever end up making bags with Xpac using this machine?
@@irismartyn4088 lol I did not. I sort gave up on sewing and I had trouble with figuring how to design a bag lol. I've offen jump hobby to hobby so no worries. I did enjoy learning about fabrics and fashion when I was interested at the time.
@@salex2330 fair enough man, thanks for getting back to me! I'm the same with hobbies, I'll always find myself wanting to sew, leaving the idea for a month or so then coming back to videos like these eventually haha.
Would the machine struggle with 1000 cordura and 1/2 foam? Thanks!
Yes, I would say the machine would struggle. 1000D cordura and that thick of foam requires a heavier duty machine like a walking foot
Great ass video. DIY good stuff.
Thanks for watching! 🙏🏻
Incorrect! I did not see any butts, great or not.
Who do you order your gear tags from for your branding?
Dutch Label Shop!
Thanks for the info! Would this be suitable with Dyneema too?
Yes, it is definitely suitable for dyneema. I’ve used this machine on nearly every weight and it has worked well. Thanks for watching!
Where did you find this for 100?
Seriously, it's more than double that at least.
At the time of the video it was around $130 if I recall. Covid has made the price of sewing machines sky rocket.
I find that these machines are too fast.Very difficult to make them go slowly. I tried to adjust the screw under the pedal but it does not change anything. Apart from that, they are good for the price.
Try using the pedal barefoot for more control. I’ve gotten used to the speed (slower than my industrial), but if you haven’t, hand crank the wheel when it’s required
Wire a dimmer switch into an extension cord and use it to regulate the voltage to the machine.
Damn,
It's an 100USD in USA and 400€ in France. Wow
XD
I had a Singer and is the worst sewing machine , don’t waste your money.
Do you realize how vague and generalizing that statement is? It's like saying every car made by Ford or Toyota is crap, and you shouldn't buy either. Maybe your machine is a lemon, or broken. Singer has been making sewing machines for hundreds of years, and make excellent sewing machines today.