Trying To Choose An Industrial Sewing Machine

Hi all :)
I'm buying an industrial sewing machine, and I'm stuck on two. Would love to hear your opinions!

My choices are between Pfaff 136 6/2bs and a Sunstar km-137a with a recently installed servo motor. Both are straight lockstitch and in good working condition (I have a demo of the Pfaff; she sounds a bit loud, but she works great!)
My indecisiveness lands on the reputation of the Pfaff (long-lasting, smooth stitching) vs the new, quiet, and energy-conserving motor in the Sunstar. And perhaps a bit because the Pfaff is just so much prettier.

I mainly sew clothes for myself, and some household stuff (couch cover, for example). I sometimes work with denim if I need to fix anything, but I currently gravitate toward lighter natural fabrics.
I own a Singer heavy-duty 4432 (IIRC) and a vintage Podolsk 142 (that I'd still be using if it didn't have a production fault that caused it to be too finicky to use).
The industrial will likely be my main machine for most things. I'm using my teacher's Toshiba when I'm in her studio, and the experience on it made my Singer feel very clunky lol.

· 2 months ago

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SewHayleyJane · 2 months ago Admin

Hi, ooh this is very exciting! I've never used an industrial machine so I'm afraid can't give any useful recomendations - but I've never heard of the Sunstar which might put me off a bit. I know Pfaff has a very good reputation.

Can I ask what led you to choosing to purchase an industrial machine as opposed to a household machine?

· 2 months ago

Melissa H · 2 months ago Plus Member

Much like Hayley I have heard more positive about pfaff. In regards to industrials I have experience with Juki 1181 and Thor 1541. I find the Juki is better with thinner fabrics than my Thor. But my Thor is a whiz at all vinyls and leathers six layers easy! I would suggest a semi industrial if your main stitches are for clothes.
I find threads less than a TEX45 are tension troublers for industrials and a thread and neeedles that large is not the best for clothes unless they are leathers/denim.

Having said all that, I am sure you will love an industrial. I do! Best of luck with the search!

· 2 months ago

Jlmcmillan1 · 2 months ago

I own and use a few industrial straight stitchers and oh my goodness, if I had room for all industrials I totally would! The things to consider though are space, as they are HUGE compared to domestics, and intended use/needs. I'm a garment sewist but predominantly stretch fabrics so as much as I adore my straight-stitchers, I use my domestic zig zag and coverstitch and serger way more because the straight-stitch is really only good for woven fabrics. Also, I sew denim and heavy wovens so my industrial head is tuned to accommodate that but for lighter weight wovens I have to either adjust several things including bobbin and top tensions or swap out my head (hence owning several) which is honestly easier and more efficient. Industrials are meant to do one task reliably over and over forever. Domestics don't do any one thing at the same quality level but they are one machine to do a million different things passably. That being said I'm a Juki and Bernina user but know the older Pfaffs are very well-regarded and I'm very leary of new brands and new machines (see built-in-obsolescence). HTH!

· 2 months ago

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