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I bought the machine for it's heavy duty ability and that it does. The boat cover turned out great. It sewed through many layers of heavy sumbrella fabric with web straps. It was kind of loud. And I would have liked a better controlled presser foot, like my Bernina has. This machine wants to go either fast or slow. I found it difficult to maintain a medium steady pace. And I would have preferred a built in lamp like most machines have, instead of the paste on after market lamp with the cord too short. Overall I really like the machine for it's toughness. Now I can do jobs that I was unable to do before. Vivian from Los Angeles
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I purchased this product to sew some replacement Textilene slings on outdoor furniture and to make custom dog beds of heavy, waterproof material. Previously, I used a New Home DX 2030 machine until I destroyed the feed dog mechanism and could not find repair parts. The LSZ-1 is built like a tank and sews through the PVC coated material very easily. The machine is "rugged" and I probably will use my regular sewing machine for doing finer fabrics since I can run regular machines much slower than the LSZ-1. The machine is not perfect. For example, installing the hinge pins that connect the machine to the bottom of the carrying case is an exercise in frustration. I strongly recommend that Sailrite replace these tiny screws with huge screws that will hold the pins more securely. Even though I was careful not to over tighten them, I must have stripped the puny threads since the screws do not hold the pins and the machine wants to pull out and fall backwards. I will have to be very careful when changing bobbins since the machine must be tipped back to do this exchange. Fortunately, the machine is near a wall so the wall should stop the fall. I've only used the machine for a limited time (6 hrs) but it runs faster than I would like. I've tried feathering the foot control but the motor strains and then takes off faster than I had hoped. Perhaps it takes some getting used to the control. Overall, I'm happy with this machine and can live with the minor annoyances.Read full review
I still haven't had a chance to test the machine much, but general impression is quite positive. I bought it haveing in mind to fix sails, and the machine looks to be pretty good for such needs. Meanwhile here are a few notes/dislikes. ...Compactness of the machine is not a big plus for my needs; when you work at such bulky items like sails more distance between needle and the column would be very helpful. ...The maximum claimed width of zig-zag of 5mm also doesn't look much impressive, limit of 8mm would be more desirable. Not saying about zig-zag with double stroke: two strokes while going right and two strokes going left. ...It's not easy to control width of zig-zag accurately: numbers at the machine's body and position of the width control lever are hard to associate; moreover, at my machine the lever doesn't go as far as to the number 5 but stops at 4 — bad tuning or worse: reduced zone of reliable work? ...A flywheel "clutch" in form of just a locking pin is very primitive, the pin may be easily lost. ...In standard configuration the machine can't be cranked manually; if you want/have to operate the machine slowly or w/o electricity (in the field, on the boat,..) you have to buy an optional metal flywheel equipped with a handle — it looks like a mere extortion. ...One more minus, this time a minor one: installing a belt guard is not an easy job: you'll definitely drop the bad-accessed screw several times before you succeed. Meanwhile within its limits (which might be wider to my opinion) the machine works fine and handles thick packs of material very well. The videos showing the machines capabilities are also very useful. Now about optional machine's case. Regardless symmetrical construction of the case, I can lock mine only in one of the two possible positions — apparent result of careless installation of the locking clamps. ...The machine's base doesn't fit well in the case's table plate: gaps around the base are too wide. At the same time the base doesn't sit deep enough in the "table" — as a result plastic(!) hinges the machine is connected to the table with are overstressed and ready to break. ...A storage box (under a flywheel) has no cover (-?! in nineteen century people did know that such a cover is the must). Inner walls of the case's hood might be equipped with clamps to hold accessories which don't go to the storage box: thread rod, manual, etc. Resume about the case: you definitely expect better quality from the box costing about $60!Read full review
I've used a few old singers (some of the best) but I'm no expert by any means. My good friend has this machine and I borrowed a couple times it to do some canvas for my boat before I bought myself one. These are the best sewing machines ever! The walking foot combined with on the fly zig zag, forward and reverse really fills anyones needs. The reliability and consistency, neat stiches with much lower maintenence, it's the best machine ever made! if you are not an expert at sewing and maintaining machines this is the one. Granted as with all sewing machines this will take some basic know how but I find this one needs less care and handles much tougher jobs than our Singer 401A (also one heck of a machine).
I do a lot of upholstery, drapery and pillow sewing. I have already been through three machines; repairing is not cheap. Anyway, if you are dealing with multiple layers of fabric or leather, including zippers, welting and cushions, you need a machine that can power through thick of materials. SunBrella fabric, leather, vinyl and any other heavy weight fabrics are sewn with ease. You can even using a light weight material with just a couple of machine adjustment. I highly recommend the Sailrite machine, I regret not purchasing it the first time around. Between the cost of the other three machines, and the repair bill, I could have purchase the sailrite machine and even saved myself some money! Hindsight is 20/20.