Sewing Machines for saddle pads

Penny4

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Hi, which sewing machine do you recommend for the sewing of saddle pads/saddle cloths/numnahs?
I am not familiar with such machines. A bit wary of one running away with me due to the speed of big machines.
I will be sewing standard good quality saddle pads, making adjustments and sewing webbing onto the pads. This is for horses on my yard and not on a large commercial basis, but the machine will need to last.
Thank you for any help on this subject.
 

HorseMaid

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Hi, I've no experience of modern machines but I have a vintage pfaff 260 which was made in the 1960's. Its strong as an ox, weighs a tonne and I've used it for all sorts including fixing my horse's rugs and sewing new zips onto an awning. It's also got about 80 embroidery stitches. Completely reliable.

So from my perspective a vintage machine such as mine would do the job! They can also be picked up pretty cheaply, mine cost £20 in a charity shop.
 

sarahann1

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I have had a shot of an industrial straight stitch sewing machine, you’ll be fine, they’re definitely faster, but not so much that you can’t control it. I want one badly now but have no space for one ?
 

sbloom

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Singer have just released a new heavy duty domestic sewing machine, no idea if it's up to doing what you need it to do, but I've used a regular domestic machine to insert zips into windproof fleece which is really tough work, so you may not need a full on industrial one, but I'm no expert. I'm sure the exact right industrial machine would make life a lot easier. Might be worth joining a leatherworkers or similar group on FB.
 

scruffyponies

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You can't go wrong with an antique Singer 15k, 66k, 99k or 201k.
I have a hand crank (1917), and love that it sits there looking pretty until I want it, and is ready for action without even plugging it in. They'll tackle stuff which would have a modern electric machine expiring in a puff of foul smelling smoke. Rug repairs... no problem!
All spare parts are available, not that you'll need them, and they take standard needles.

Just better decide now who will get it when you die, because the damn thing will outlast you :D
 
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Penny4

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You can't go wrong with an antique Singer 15k, 66k, 99k or 201k.
I have a hand crank (1917), and love that it sits there looking pretty until I want it, and is ready for action without even plugging it in. They'll tackle stuff which would have a modern electric machine expiring in a puff of foul smelling smoke. Rug repairs... no problem!
All spare parts are available, not that you'll need them, and they take standard needles.

Just better decide now who will get it when you die, because the damn thing will outlast you :D
Ha! Ha! Thank you for your reply Scruffyponies!! I will look these up online and see how I get on...also work on my will :)
 
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Penny4

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Hello, Thank you for responding to my post. How much do you want for your machine? I live too far to collect so would have to discuss meeting location.
 

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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Hi, I've no experience of modern machines but I have a vintage pfaff 260 which was made in the 1960's. Its strong as an ox, weighs a tonne and I've used it for all sorts including fixing my horse's rugs and sewing new zips onto an awning. It's also got about 80 embroidery stitches. Completely reliable.

So from my perspective a vintage machine such as mine would do the job! They can also be picked up pretty cheaply, mine cost £20 in a charity shop.

Ohhh!! Well I wonder whether these are the machines we used to use at school! They were pretty hefty I seem to remember, had to be with us lot constantly abusing them; tho' half of us pony-mad gals didn't stop to think that when we were all "grown up" we'd be tied to the needle and thread sewing our blimmin horses' rugs for ever!!
 

cremedemonthe

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I have an antique 45k (treadle) made in 1915 and still going. Tried selling it last year and it had loads of spares for it but no takers, only time wasters. It was slow but it plodded it's way through dozens of girths, saddle cloths and numnahs like in the pictures. Still a few around if you look., Oz (Saddler)
 

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Penny4

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I have an antique 45k (treadle) made in 1915 and still going. Tried selling it last year and it had loads of spares for it but no takers, only time wasters. It was slow but it plodded it's way through dozens of girths, saddle cloths and numnahs like in the pictures. Still a few around if you look., Oz (Saddler)
Hi Thank you for your reply. Do you still want to sell? If so how much?
 

Penny4

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I have a 99k I'd be happy to sell, probably collection only, I'm in Suffolk but travel with work.
Hello, Is your 99k machine working and can I get spares for it? I live in Powys, SY22. Not sure if you come up to this part of the country?
 

Penny4

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I have an antique 45k (treadle) made in 1915 and still going. Tried selling it last year and it had loads of spares for it but no takers, only time wasters. It was slow but it plodded it's way through dozens of girths, saddle cloths and numnahs like in the pictures. Still a few around if you look., Oz (Saddler)
Hello, as your machine is not working very well, and I have no knowledge of how to repair and do not live in your part of Wales, I think I sadly have to pass on the purchase. Thank you.
 

sbloom

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Hello, Is your 99k machine working and can I get spares for it? I live in Powys, SY22. Not sure if you come up to this part of the country?

It was working last I tried, it was fully reconditioned and barely used by the previous owner. I'm sure you can get spares but no sorry, I don't come beyond Warwickshire.

Hello, as your machine is not working very well, and I have no knowledge of how to repair and do not live in your part of Wales, I think I sadly have to pass on the purchase. Thank you.

I think he's saying it's slow (unless Oz pmed you more info) as it's a treadle rather than it not working?
 

scruffyponies

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Spares for 99k are readily available. My daughter has one. Bombproof, as is my 15k.
45k is (I think - correct me if I'm wrong Oz) a more specialised machine for leatherwork.
 

cremedemonthe

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Spares for 99k are readily available. My daughter has one. Bombproof, as is my 15k.
45k is (I think - correct me if I'm wrong Oz) a more specialised machine for leatherwork.

Depends on foot and needle, mine can do leatherwork, I don't use it for that though as I hand stitch all my leatherwork but it's particularly good for repairing horse rugs as it can go through around 1 inch of material thickness.
 

cremedemonthe

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It was working last I tried, it was fully reconditioned and barely used by the previous owner. I'm sure you can get spares but no sorry, I don't come beyond Warwickshire.



I think he's saying it's slow (unless Oz pmed you more info) as it's a treadle rather than it not working?

Thanks, it does work and i have used it to make cable parachutes in the last year or two when my other industrials weren't working (waiting for spares).
It does have issues in that the flywheel has 3 fractures in the spokes (it's cast iron) making the flywheel wobble when working and if the drive belt is too loose it tends to jump off the guides now and again but I live with it as I use it very rarely.
If I were going to regularly use it, I would do away with the treadle and convert it to an electric motor instead.
I call it thumper as it thumps away happily all day.
Misses the occasional stitch but it IS 106 years old.
It's sitting in my workshop as a museum piece.
Oz
 
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