Professor 0 #1 November 6, 2006 Has anyone had any experience with Gemsy sewing machines? I found a Gemsy "20U" on eBay, new for $325, and I'm curious if this is a good machine, or if it's going to fall apart. Ted Like a giddy school girl. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,457 #2 November 7, 2006 Hi Professor, The answer depends (isn't that what you tell your students?) on what you want to use it for. I had a Singer 20U made in China for a couple of weeks. It was too light weight (IMO) for any decent container work. I sent it back for a refund. I have heard that there might be two different Singer 20U machines; some being heavier. I do not know. I know nothing about Gemsy. Jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Professor 0 #3 November 7, 2006 Yeah, I was more interested in the reputation of Gemsy machines specifically. I don't think the 20U line is really intended for container work. I'm just looking for something to start out on, and one of my local riggers recommended the 20U. In lieu of spending $900, I figured I'd see if these were any good. Ted Like a giddy school girl. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YM4 0 #4 November 7, 2006 I have two singer 20u and they are exelent machines. Ive never used them in container work but Ive done some thick sewing and it worked OK. Had to go slow but got it. I used them just for zigzag. Dont like adjusting the thread preasure all the time."It's not the size of the dog in the fight, It's the size of the fight in the dog!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #5 November 7, 2006 the only 20U type machine I recommend for use in container work is made by Singer and even those can be less than wonderful if the operator is not an expert. However that being said, the singer 20U is used extensively by some major manufactures with very nice results but the operators at the above mentioned manufactures tend to be very skilled. Most if not all other 20U knock offs are cheaply made with light duty parts and are simply not up the heavy task of container work. As to the specific name of Gemsy, I have no experience with it but I'm betting its not worth the money you'll spend on it. If some one else has had good results with that brand I'd like to hear about it but, most likely, its built more for the home market where the sewing needs are not as demanding as they are in this sport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #6 November 7, 2006 Do you believe ALL copies to be inferior? Tacsew, CONSEW, and Artisian all sell versions, some stating interchanability with Singer 20u's. One online dealer is http://www.mansew.com/apzig.htm I'd bet that some of these come off the same production line as Singers in China. But I don't have any experience with these. That being said I do know there are replicas out there with lessor quality parts. And a friend has a 20U clone that came with a manual only in Chinese! But in the little time I played with it trying to fix an assembly error from the previous owner it seemed well made.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #7 November 7, 2006 To this brand specifically, I don't have any experience but compare the machine pictured to the ones at Gemsy http://www.mansew.com/apzig.htm, It doesn't come close to even looking like a real 20u or copy. And for $350 with table and motor I'd run away. Quality tables and motors are almost that much themselves. STitch width stated doesn't match 20u's 9 or 12 mm either.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #8 November 7, 2006 A brand that I've got some experience with and love is Juki. I paid under $350 for a used Juki, table and motor and it is every bit as heavy duty as the Singer 20U I looked at for $700 and has mostly interchangble partsYesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,457 #9 November 7, 2006 Hi Professor (again), I have 30+ years experience with older Singer industrial machines. My first industrial machine was a used Singer 31-15, I still have it and I take good care of it. But it will soon go as I have a better machine to replace it with (a Pfaff). The older industrial Singers simply are no longer available; and when you do find them, they are usually worn out (but not absolutely everyone of them, you just might find one). Last year I threw two Singer 17W15 zig-zag machines into the recycle station because the races were so worn they could not make the stitches anymore. The parts are hard to come by and they were not worth the cost (if I could have found the parts). If I were looking to buy a good used, industrial machine (any stitch pattern) I would look for Pfaff, Consew (and they make good new machines, check their website) or Juki. Most of this stuff will be newer than the older Singer industrials. Just my $0.02, YMMV. Jerry PS) If you are really looking for a machine, I suggest you check with Mark Lancaster (he posts here as Masterrigger1) of Skyworks ParaService. I was at his place some time back and he has a LOT of machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrigger1 2 #10 November 8, 2006 Jerry, I wished I had known about the 17W15's you threw away. I have some new hooks and races here! You don't happen to have a 17W15 bobbincase do you? Back to the point at hand: The "new" 20 U machines made today are all copies! Singer has not made a machine in years. Seiko now makes most of the machines today. The 20U IMHO is not a good machine because of it's bad feeding qualities. The presser bar is mounted back too far to the rear of the feed dog. This makes starting a material feed a problem as most riggers already know. My recommendations are to find two machines. A Singer 143W2 or 143W3 for Zig-Zag work. And a Pfaff 463 or 434 for Straight Stitch work. These machines can be found on EBay every day it seems. I just saw a 143 on there for $85.00 for the head only! Cheers, MELSkyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,457 #11 November 8, 2006 Hi Mark, Sorry, nothing left but some bobbins; I'll take a look and see if there is anything else. After what I had spent on them over the years, I was so mad that I just wanted them out of my sight. Yup, a little childish but sometimes it just feels good. I bought a Bernina 217 last year and tomorrow, if the v-belt is in, it will finally fly. I bought a Pfaff 463 about 8 yrs ago for a song and it will soon replace the 31-15. I'm currently in the process of building all new, larger tables for all of my machines. But just when I thought my 10 machines are a lot, I see your place. THE SEWING MACHINE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. Jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NSEMN8R 0 #12 November 8, 2006 QuoteMy recommendations are to find two machines. A Singer 143W2 or 143W3 for Zig-Zag work. And a Pfaff 463 or 434 for Straight Stitch work. Why do you recommend a second machine for straight stitch? Can't you straight stitch with the zigzag machine too? See you in January, Tony Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrigger1 2 #13 November 8, 2006 Two reasons: One, when zero'd down to a straight stitch, there is usally some zig-zag componet left. Not much, but noticable. Two, the feed assembly on a zig-zag is really wide. This makes canopy repairs a little harder to do. It is just easier with a good straight stitch machine! Cheers, MELSkyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #14 November 8, 2006 I have never used Tacsew so I have no real opinion. I have used CONSEWS 20U, and I hated it. It was even a new one. But to be fair, I've had plenty of trouble with other Consew models in the past. Some times you get a good machine from them, some times you don't. But that is another discussion. I have also used the Artisan and thought that it was crap as well. Neither Consew or Artisan could hold a candle to a Bernia, Phaff, or even the original 20U. and I doubt that Consews 20U and the Artisan will stand the test of time like better made models have. It should be said that I am not a casual sewer. For thirteen years, my sole source of income came from sewing. Not over seeing sewers, but actually sewing my self. At the height of production, I personally produced over 100 complete rigs a year and did so for several years. As such, my standards might be a bit higher than some one who occasionally sews a patch on a jump suit or replaces a piece of velcro. (By the way, I'm not trying to brag, I'm simply putting things into perspective.) When I sit a machine, I expect it to do what I want the first time. Not constantly jam, get knocked out of time or bust needles as often as did the Consew and the Artisan. Personally, I don't think thats too much to ask. I guess I am a bit jaded towards knock off 20U's because I have never found one that was worth my time or my money. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marinho 0 #15 November 8, 2006 Agreed with Mel! I also think that zig-zags don't give a nice straight stitch work as a simple single needle. They don't look symmetrical! One more thing is the thickness of the needle. Normally zig-zags use a thicker needle and they are not suitable for canopy work. I believe, and most of you guys also, that there is a specific machine for each type of work. Cheers,Gus Marinho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
