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Bag Makers: Tell me about your tools

Old 01-10-08, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by blickblocks
FlippingHades, I asked the machine shop guy here about the Sailrites and he suggested I stay far away from them. For the same price as a Sailrite he was selling some full size walking foot which he said would be a lot better ($975 complete). How much was your Juki?
Well, it's definitely not a real industrial, that's for certain (the sailrite), but they work just fine. Salesmen say anything Like I said above, if knew in advance I'd have been able to afford it, I'd have gone straight to the Juki.

My Juki came to a little over $1700 brand new, with an Artisan servo motor in place of the clutch motor. The servo motor really gives fantastic control, especially if you've never used a clutch motor before.
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Old 01-10-08, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by shants
If you are going to use a consumer grade sewing machine for bag construction, I would recommend learning how to adjust (and fix) your machine's timing. You'll knock it out of whack fairly quickly when sewing through several layers of cordura.

also computer controlled machines suck. I really wanted to point that out.
that is the one thing that irks me about mine. there are some useful features. but having to wait for the computer to calibrate so i can back stitch and what not it is a pain, even more so when you are supporting several pounds of bag in one hand
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Old 01-10-08, 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by FlippingHades
Well, it's definitely not a real industrial, that's for certain (the sailrite), but they work just fine. Salesmen say anything Like I said above, if knew in advance I'd have been able to afford it, I'd have gone straight to the Juki.

My Juki came to a little over $1700 brand new, with an Artisan servo motor in place of the clutch motor. The servo motor really gives fantastic control, especially if you've never used a clutch motor before.
can't wait till my clutch motors burns out so I have an excuse to buy a servo
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Old 01-10-08, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by shants
If you are going to use a consumer grade sewing machine for bag construction, I would recommend learning how to adjust (and fix) your machine's timing. You'll knock it out of whack fairly quickly when sewing through several layers of cordura.
This statement is totally true. I have used all kinds of machines, and even the best ones will fail on you at the worst possible times. The first thing i do when i get a used machines is take the majority of it apart, snap some pics (so i can remember how it goes back together) oil it, clean it, and put it back together. If you do this, you will have a good understanding of how it works. The timing issue is a big one, but it can be managed if you take alittle bit of time periodically and flip your machine upside down and make sure that everything is running smoothly. Its much easier to do with domestic machines, and is completely worth your time. I still have a domestic singer (its a burly one, but still not industrial) from about 1960 that still gets used to this day!
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Old 01-10-08, 04:39 PM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by FlippingHades
I now use a Juki DNU-1541-S. Click here for lots of photos


Yes, the sailrite is just fine for bag construction, although there may be places you have to hand-crank it through particularly thick assemblies. Before I switched to a floating liner, I had to hand-crank it through the inside corners.

If I'd known beforehand that Zugster Bags would be as successful as it's been, I'd have gone straight to the Juki -- it's just a world apart. It's not just a walking feet -- it's a compound feed, which means the needle moves along with the presser foot, which produces neater, tighter stitching, and vastly reduces the chance of the needle accidentally striking the hook. It is, however, not cheap.
Yes it is not cheap, but with a decent tax return and a bit of savings, it might be worthwhile.

I am so far really happy with my bags (www.raytiley.info/bags.php) I've only made four, but they are getting a lot better each one I make. I've had people stop me in the street and ask me where I got it, one person after hearing I made it, asked if she could buy one off me.

The two main problems I have making my bag are:

1. Sewing machine needs to be hand walked, or gets jammed up on thick fabrics.
2. Sewing machine moves while i'm trying to sew (sits on top of a dining room table)

I think instead of investing in a table and such to eliminate just one of my problems with my current machine, investing in "The Machine" that will handle anything I throw at it will save me money in the long run. Plus sewing machines seem to retain value pretty well, so I probably don't have to sell that many bags to break even if i decide bag making is not for me and to sell the machine.

So would the juki you have now, be the machine to buy if you had to buy just one machine?

-ray
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Old 01-10-08, 05:48 PM
  #56  
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Yes, If I had only one machine it would be the Juki - it handles just about anything. My dream workshop includes at least 4 different industrial sewing machines though (easily expandable to 5 or 6 or even more)
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Old 01-10-08, 06:11 PM
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Hey, can anybody help? My machine just did what the shop guy said it would: drop stitches and cut the thread. Apparently the piece that the bobbin case goes into and the piece that goes around all of that is worn out, it's loose. He said it would be $35 for the part and $65 (one hour) for the installation. Is this for real? Or is it something I can replace myself?

I'm really frustrated now since it started off so good.
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Old 01-10-08, 09:44 PM
  #58  
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Before you worry about that, check that you've got the needle oriented properly -- industrial needles don't have a flat side like home machine needles do; they can be inserted in any orientation. If your machine threads from left to right like most, the side of the needle with the long, channel should be pointing left -- if it's the other way 'round, that will shred the upper thread.
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Old 01-10-08, 10:35 PM
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IT WORKED!!!

Thank you Zuggy.
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Old 01-10-08, 11:39 PM
  #60  
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Quick question: What's that trim stuff called? Is it just called "trim"? I need to buy a whole lot of it before I can finish these hip packs.
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Old 01-10-08, 11:45 PM
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Hey everyone, long time lurker first time poster. I find it weird that my first post on a bike forum is about sewing, but you gotta start somewhere. I've been wanting to get a decent sewing machine and started reading all these threads. What do you guys think of this machine?

https://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/for/530598884.html

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
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Old 01-10-08, 11:49 PM
  #62  
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awesome. When I was learning to use a sewing machine, I pulled my hair out for a whole day over that one the first time I accidentally put a needle in backwards :-)

trim, binding tape, bias binding, grosgrain (technically, grosgrain is a specific kind of woven binding).
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Old 01-10-08, 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by getthething
Hey everyone, long time lurker first time poster. I find it weird that my first post on a bike forum is about sewing, but you gotta start somewhere. I've been wanting to get a decent sewing machine and started reading all these threads. What do you guys think of this machine?

https://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/for/530598884.html

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
good deal for what it is it is very similar to adams old sailrite you may have issue with the arm depth and big things or thick things the portable motor doesn't really have enough juice for super thick stuff
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Old 01-11-08, 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by getthething
Hey everyone, long time lurker first time poster. I find it weird that my first post on a bike forum is about sewing, but you gotta start somewhere. I've been wanting to get a decent sewing machine and started reading all these threads. What do you guys think of this machine?

https://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/for/530598884.html

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
It's the same machine that FlippingHade's Sailrite is based on, but not even as good. The more I read about them the less I think of them. Why don't you find an industrial machine shop and look around at a used industrial first? You might find a good deal on a fully refurbished machine.

edit - Retem, it's really not that great a deal. A brand new TuffSew (identical machine) only costs $280.
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Old 01-11-08, 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Retem
good deal for what it is it is very similar to adams old sailrite you may have issue with the arm depth and big things or thick things the portable motor doesn't really have enough juice for super thick stuff
Thanks for the reply. I'm a total bag nerd and i've always wanted to try making my own to suit my needs. Do you think something like that is a good starter machine or should i just borrow my mom's basic singer before i start looking for an industrial machine? Is it just going to frustrate me?
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Old 01-11-08, 02:22 AM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by blickblocks
Quick question: What's that trim stuff called? Is it just called "trim"? I need to buy a whole lot of it before I can finish these hip packs.

the white stuff on this bag is


extra wide double fold bias tape
. There are different widths, the regular kind is really hard to work with on a bag. and single fold cant be used to bind.

gross grain looks a lot nicer, cost a bit more, and is harder for me to find.
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Old 01-11-08, 02:37 AM
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Originally Posted by getthething
Thanks for the reply. I'm a total bag nerd and i've always wanted to try making my own to suit my needs. Do you think something like that is a good starter machine or should i just borrow my mom's basic singer before i start looking for an industrial machine? Is it just going to frustrate me?
I am of the school borrow first, buy later. You really should decide if you like making them first. But it really is fun to do. take it from me. six or eight some odd bags later.

I can actually sew a cordura bag on a home machine., but part of it comes from intelligent design and patience.

my original design was really hard on machines, and my favorite bag was done on a home machine.
my new design is alot easier on machines but it takes a bit longer but the seams are not visible (that makes me happy)
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Old 01-11-08, 02:46 AM
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Originally Posted by c0urt
I am of the school borrow first, buy later. You really should decide if you like making them first. But it really is fun to do. take it from me. six or eight some odd bags later.

I can actually sew a cordura bag on a home machine., but part of it comes from intelligent design and patience.

my original design was really hard on machines, and my favorite bag was done on a home machine.
my new design is alot easier on machines but it takes a bit longer but the seams are not visible (that makes me happy)
This is where I'm at. Working my designs around my machine so as to not put too many layers in one spot. I think it helps in some regard to the quality of the bag but also hurts it a bit. It's really helping me think through the entire bag, how every single seam is going to be layed out.
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Old 01-11-08, 03:11 AM
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what i did first was google search as many bags as i could. then I say what I liked and what and what I didnt.

Then I made a list. of the things i wanted.
https://stupidhurts.org/gallery/album...1/IMGP4544.jpg

I really couldnt sew all that well when i started. but i sorta sketched a basic bag shape. I worked with the skills I had. I am actually really good at origami.


so I was able to make a lot of the forms I needed out of paper to get them to the correct size and shape before I made them out of fabric. all of my bags start out as big pieces of news paper laid out and taped up and drawn and written on before a piece of fabric is ever cut, it lets me make changes and work through my ideas. A lot has changed from bag to bag and each one get closer to what I really really want.


this is how i make 3d pockets
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Old 01-11-08, 05:42 AM
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hey bagmakers, can you tell me everything you know about the business you're in? i want to know what took you years to study and learn so I can enter your market as your competition. Thanks!
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Old 01-11-08, 05:42 AM
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this is ****ing sick!
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Old 01-11-08, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by getthething
Thanks for the reply. I'm a total bag nerd and i've always wanted to try making my own to suit my needs. Do you think something like that is a good starter machine or should i just borrow my mom's basic singer before i start looking for an industrial machine? Is it just going to frustrate me?
it will do just fine but if you plan on making more than one bag every couple of weeks or so or more than one bag a day try to get an industrial I only paid about 100 bucks for mine but its not a walking foot machine ):
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Old 01-11-08, 11:12 AM
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Thanks for all the input guys. This is a great thread. There is a lot of non sense elitist posts on this forum and i almost keep never coming back but a thread like this restores faith. Thanks again. I know this isn't a sewing forum but since there isn't really a big market for sewing for cyclists forums perhaps we should start a thread of bag templates/design tips? Any thoughts?
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Old 01-11-08, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by getthething
Thanks for all the input guys. This is a great thread. There is a lot of non sense elitist posts on this forum and i almost keep never coming back but a thread like this restores faith. Thanks again. I know this isn't a sewing forum but since there isn't really a big market for sewing for cyclists forums perhaps we should start a thread of bag templates/design tips? Any thoughts?
there are atleast four I can think of off the top of my head.
look for the "show your custom mess bag" thread and a few others
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Old 01-11-08, 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by c0urt
there are atleast four I can think of off the top of my head.
look for the "show your custom mess bag" thread and a few others


Somone one should really consolidate the most useful posts from all of the various bag threads into the "Ultimate Bag Thread" and make it a sticky.

Not it.

Blicky, your a Mod now. Earn that star boy!

-ray
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