301 and 308 on the same machine?

[jumper03 0]

Is there a sewing machine out there that can do both stitches? And I don't mean a straight stitch that is just a very narrow zig-zag - a true straight stitch.

Barring that - if you had to choose either a straight or zig-zag for your first (and only machine for awhile) which would you go with?

Thanks for any advice, tips, links, etc.

Jump

Scars remind us that the past is real

[Hooknswoop 19]

A Singer 20U will do a nice zig-zag and has a knob you turn to lock it in place to make a very straight stitch. I really like my 20U.

Derek

[f1shlips 2]

In my limited experience, I've never seen a picture perfect straight stitch on a zig-zag. However, I think most zig-zags produce an acceptable straight stitch machine. My 217 does well, so do the various models of the 20U that I've encountered.

You can pick up a 20U very cheap if you look around. I'd recommend ebay, but you have to know what you are looking for. I've learned to ask for pictures of the hook (removed from the machine). I also like pictures of the feed dogs and close ups of the machine with inspection plates removed.

Marring/scratching on the hook and its fasteners will tell you alot about abuse and timing issues. Looking at the insides will let you know if the rust on the outside is storage rust, or something worse.

You really can't tell the shape of the thread tensioning devices (discs, springs, posts...) until you get it into your hands. Fortunatly, nylon E-thread will deal with less than a less than perfect thread path than cotton 2-ply does.

I had the most problems with my Bernina 217 when I started doing some household sewing with it. Luckily, I had a similar model at the National Guard rigger shop to compare it with.

--
drop zone (drop'zone) n. An incestuous sesspool of broken people. -- Attributed to a whuffo girlfriend.

[jumper03 0]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3118&item=8198505820&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

like this one?

New is good but damn...is that the going rate?

Scars remind us that the past is real

[Hooknswoop 19]

For new, ya. I got mine used in great condition for $200. It is a workhorse.

Derek

[RIGGER 0]

The "Bernina 217" with a cam setting will do 301 & 308 & 304.

The 304 zz does not need a cam.

If the machine have no cam setting it will do only 301 & 304.

The "Singer 20U" is for 301 & 304 only.

Safe Rigging !!!

[f1shlips 2]

...good luck finding one with the cam attachment. Technically, only certain cams existed in the 6mm model, so most of the machines with the cam attachment are 6mm, but they'll all work on the 8-12mm machines. I think there were 20 cams in total, most are useless for our work, but it does do the 308 quite well. A new hook for a 20U will cost you about $30 USD. A new (ie: scavenged) hook for any model of 217 will cost you over $300.

--
drop zone (drop'zone) n. An incestuous sesspool of broken people. -- Attributed to a whuffo girlfriend.

[aironscott 3]

The Bernina 217 is a far superior machine to the 20U. And yeah - good luck finding one (Bernina) with a cam attachment. If you do...get it! And its not that all 20Us are bad its just that they are hit and miss. Singer has had a lot of their machines made in China and the quality is no where near as good as the ones made in Japan.
If I could have only one machine in my loft, it would be a Bernina. Fortunately for me and my customers, I have enough room for all the other ones as well.
Thanks to Kevin for turning me on to the 217.
Aaron

“God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”