The Lotus Grand Tourers

Hi Richard, has your wife been experimenting with needles such as the denim or leather types at all? There is also the tricks of putting news paper under difficult materials (it can be torn off afterwards) or turning it upside down. Try also experimenting with the presser foot pressure. I think an industrial machine was a bit overkill and its not like the feed dogs are any different, unless you are after the walking foot type. The motor is on all the time and the pedal operates the clutch, bit like a car. Ideal if you are at it all day but not needed for a few meters run. If the plastic machine is not stuck on the first hole then it's probably up to the job, you just need to find the best method to sew through spongy foam. Good luck.

Richard

I've got and replied to your message, but not sure if it sent. Also sent you an email.
I'm still interested.

Tony

Got the message Tony, I'll keep an eye on that machine and see if it's going for a reasonable price...

Well, I eventually accepted that the budget I'd aimed for was never going to get what I wanted, so I upped the budget (on the assumption that these seem to sell easily so I should get my money back when the project is done!), and splashed out £380 on this:



A Singer 431 T200A, industrial machine with walking foot. No idea how old it is, but it weighs a ton and consists of some seriously sturdy machinery, a MASSIVE motor, and some very pleasing oiling points.

We'll see soon how much difference it makes to the seat sewing project - we're under way again!

Looking forward to seeing the results!

Pete

rbgosling wrote: Mon Nov 02, 2020 17:26 Well, I eventually accepted that the budget I'd aimed for was never going to get what I wanted, so I upped the budget (on the assumption that these seem to sell easily so I should get my money back when the project is done!), and splashed out £380 on this:



A Singer 431 T200A, industrial machine with walking foot. No idea how old it is, but it weighs a ton and consists of some seriously sturdy machinery, a MASSIVE motor, and some very pleasing oiling points.

We'll see soon how much difference it makes to the seat sewing project - we're under way again!

Does that mean it’ll be too heavy to bring to the restoration show?!

It probably uses too much power.....

Richard

IF the restoration show goes ahead (and if we have somewhere to plug the machine in) I'd be happy to bring it! It fits in my wife's X-type, as proved yesterday, so that can be done. I do remember watching with interest a couple of years back when someone on the Jowett stand next to us was sewing some seats.

I'd hope I'd be finished with my seats by then! If not, that's down to whether my wife Heather fancies doing some work at the show, she's the seamstress rather than me, unless I decide to pick up the skill between now and then. Or I know Tony (MetBlue) in Northampton was planning on some upholstery work, so maybe he would?

Couldn't a trimmer re-do the whole car for £380?

Hawaiis0 wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2020 16:47 Couldn't a trimmer re-do the whole car for £380?

Ummm... probably not. Not that I've looked into the cost, to be fair, so I don't really know. And in any case, at the end of this I will have a sewing machine that I hope to sell for at least what I bought it for, so all it will have cost me is the fabric and cotton (and the goodwill of my lovely wife Heather).