Upholstery Sewing Machine?

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64dart170

64dart170

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Anybody know where I can buy a used industrial sewing machine for doing car seat covers? It's about the only thing I don't do myself right now but have some experience in the past (70's). Need close to Cin. OH or shipping. Currently I do custom overhead electronics panels, pkg trays, door panels, headliners, carpet, dash pads, kick panels, with padding and button tuck too! Now I want to do the seats also!!

I have noticed every Darts seats need redone and I'm not willing to pay $200.00 per seat pad. ($800.00 Labor) on my cars. Plus the materials that are original in my 64 Dart 170 is going to run me approx $850.00!! By the time it was to be done I would have over $1600.00 in two complete bench seats ($400 a pad!) UNACCEPTABLE!!!!

Don't want to drop off seats, 850 in material and another 800.00 in labor and not see them again for 2 months if lucky!

I'd rather spend money on equipment and materials needed, the start making other new covers for my A Body friends!8)

Any ideas? Just looking for brainstorming session cause mine is usually in a fog!:read2:
 
Been practicing on some pretty heavy vinyl with a $150 Brother model from Walmart and it's actually doing a really good job. Add door panels, package tray, etc. and we were looking at closer to $4k so we're dong it ourselves too :)
 
Super T said:
Been practicing on some pretty heavy vinyl with a $150 Brother model from Walmart and it's actually doing a really good job. Add door panels, package tray, etc. and we were looking at closer to $4k so we're dong it ourselves too :)
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Really?!!
We got one of those but I bet ABB won't let me run some foe ostrage and 1/8 foam threw it! LOL!!

I was thinking like the sewing machines at the print co. to sew books together. Dying art form everything is perfect bound with glue now or stitched with wire! Hmmmmm......Thinking Now!:cheers:
 
well i was looking for used commercial/industrial but those started at 400 up to 700 on craigslist. THis thing does 1/4" foam, though you definitely have to feed it slow and help it through. Also does vinyl to vinyl. Haven't tried actual leather, don't plan on using any.
 
Pfaff and Merrow industrial machines are fairly common here is the south where the textile industry once thrived. The problem with those ancient workhorses is the cost of replacement parts.
I should add that you are about to enter a whole new world in seat skins. They fit tight as a banjo string when done right, especially vynil skins. I've seen countless listings on ebay that stated "new Legendary seat covers" and the pics show wrinkles on the sides of the seat backs, lines skewed left or right, etc... Even those correct fit covers were not properly installed.
I mention this because the tighter the skin fits the stronger the stitching and bindings needs to be.
Good luck with it.
 
I did my own on a regular singer but it could not really handle the stronger threads and needles needed to do it correctly. You might try Craigslist or any drapery/laundering service near you.
 
Super T said:
well i was looking for used commercial/industrial but those started at 400 up to 700 on craigslist. THis thing does 1/4" foam, though you definitely have to feed it slow and help it through. Also does vinyl to vinyl. Haven't tried actual leather, don't plan on using any.
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I could pay that 4-7 hundred with the $800.00 I didn't pay someone else to do it! It would be free after that and ready to do more!!:cheers:
 
I have an Adler that I use, it is an older machine but it works GREAT. There is a big difference between using a home machine and a commercial one. Mine will sew 2 thicknesses of dirty old semi-truck tie down straps no problem probably punch through 3 or 4 layers if I tried.... never needed to though! I do seat covers as well. (did the rear in my Barracuda, and all of them in my 59 Suburban). On an older commercial machine, make sure you get one with a walking foot as well as a reverse.
Harbor freight has one for $269
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3914
table is extra I believe, $135...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3929

I have never looked at this one or used it though... It might be Ok or you might be better off with a used one for 5-700.
 
69B-Cuda said:
I have an Adler that I use, it is an older machine but it works GREAT. There is a big difference between using a home machine and a commercial one. Mine will sew 2 thicknesses of dirty old semi-truck tie down straps no problem probably punch through 3 or 4 layers if I tried.... never needed to though! I do seat covers as well. (did the rear in my Barracuda, and all of them in my 59 Suburban). On an older commercial machine, make sure you get one with a walking foot as well as a reverse.
Harbor freight has one for $269
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3914
table is extra I believe, $135...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3929

I have never looked at this one or used it though... It might be Ok or you might be better off with a used one for 5-700.
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OH SNAP! That looks like the ones I was talking about in the printing shop! These are probibly good copies though and have been warned to get the harbor freight warranty too!!! That's well in the $800.00 sewing equipment budget!!

The main thing is, I won't be able to trust anyone else with material that runs almost $100.00 a yard!!! Especially for "Baby"! No one touches her!:-D
Thanks Cuda!
 
OK! Talked with ABB.
Aurora Darts is going interiors!:-D
I already have background talents with custom Vans/Pic-ups 70's to present Padded Dash boards with button tuck, door panels, overhead electrronics panels padded with tuck, exterior upholstered fender flairs, vinyl tops, have helped lay out seat covers and installed but not actual sewing but have watched it be done.:read2:
ABB will show me that and we'll use the old covers for patterns after careful disassembly (disection of seams with exacto knife)
I know in my area we have a few guys who do seat covers with no set hours, hit & miss communication, IF you can find them! They all charge $200 per cushon = $800 per 2 bench Dart. I think I can beat that with actual business hours with ethic of being on top of things and available. I have always loved doing the custom interiors and find the end results overly satisfying!!!
Besides 2 out of 3 Dart need their seats redone. We also live next to river and alot of boat seats need redone!
I think I'm on to my new living! I can do year round in my basement and garage, and don't have to deal with the paint and the problems that go with it full time.
I think I'm gonna be the new vinyl dude round here!!!!
Anybody around cincy need work? I'm gettin my sewing machine and new glue guns next week!!! PM me if ya need help with your dash right away! I have demos here you can look at!:cheers:
The seams have 2 material layers, a cord seperating has 2 layers and 1 fiber tape for a total of 5 layers for each seam minumum, plenty of strength there, so sewing machine will have to cut it.
There's a really cool secret about installing very tight covers over fresh new foam, anyone know what that trick is? (sunday morning quize to help you do yours)..........Class.........class...........anyone........class............Ferris do you know?:read2:
 
chuckwagon2004 said:
The vynil needs to be set in the sun to cook prior to install maybe??
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Yes Cuckwagon, that is the #1 fight with the vinyl is tempreture. Thats why if your drive your cars in winter and have all vinyl seats you should start your car trying not to sit on seats until warm. The seams always rip in the winter after about 4 years or so.

Heat is Definately a plus with the help of my "secret prcedeure" LOL!!!

Hints::read2:
"It's all a bunch a garbage anyway"
"Only trailer trash would do it that way!":-D

That helps with the answer right? I know someone out there has had to do this!

Don't worry, I tell ya in a few mins! LOL!!8)
 
I have a Consew 225 Industrial Sewing machine and table for sale. It has been set up recently at my local sew shop.

S5300199.jpg
 
chuckwagon2004 said:
Ok here are a few guesses :
The Oven
BBQ pit / Smoker w/ vinyl in a brisket pan LMAO I bet thats it
Ive run out of guesses I guess
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LOL!! Ok OK!!!
I just came in from working on Fern, cut my finger, came on for my meds (corona) and FABO!

Here's the secret:

Fresh foam seat,
Garbage bag goes over foam.
Seat cover starts out inside out,
Put top on, roll over and if needed you'll get the slide you need from garbage bag. Easier to fit tight ones. You can rip the bag out but my preference is leaving it in there, always a little give and settles itself + if the seats get wet it won't soak through!
Many opinions on this, I no pro but did a few. Some people will say I'm nuts, and well that's true!

Oh!, warm materials in sun then go in the shade to wrestle it! We don't want any of us older geezers to pass out from the exercise!!:toothy10:
 
67Dart440GT said:
I have a Consew 225 Industrial Sewing machine and table for sale. It has been set up recently at my local sew shop.
Click to expand...

Thanks man!
I'm cypherin' on it a spell but like evrything else the shipping kills it. I can order new and it's delivered to my door by Big Brown!

Good Luck on the sale!8)
 
No problemo... I think Greyhound shipping would be the best way to go. They are the most reasonable shipping I have seen.
 
64dart170 said:
LOL!! Ok OK!!!
I just came in from working on Fern, cut my finger, came on for my meds (corona) and FABO!

Here's the secret:

Fresh foam seat,
Garbage bag goes over foam.
Seat cover starts out inside out,
Put top on, roll over and if needed you'll get the slide you need from garbage bag. Easier to fit tight ones. You can rip the bag out but my preference is leaving it in there, always a little give and settles itself + if the seats get wet it won't soak through!
Many opinions on this, I no pro but did a few. Some people will say I'm nuts, and well that's true!

Oh!, warm materials in sun then go in the shade to wrestle it! We don't want any of us older geezers to pass out from the exercise!!:toothy10:
Click to expand...

LOL didnt know about the garbage bag, makes sense though. I have only done an old truck seat back in the day and it was a beater. I will remember this for the dart. Bottom on the front bench needs replaced I wonder if year ones tan will match up with it.... :toothy10:
 
I would love an industrial machine too. I've done all my covers on my Sears Kenmore, which fights me every step of the way. :toothy10:
 
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