Sewing Machines

[Windkiller]

Okay here's a weird one
i want to do some cutting down of my own sails
I have a giant genoa from another boat I want to alter as well as eventually sewing my own sails
I know some of the older domestic machines(50s 60s 70s) can handle this work
Anybody have any experience with this or any reccomendations?

[Faster]

Somehow I doubt that many domestic machines can truly handle the multilayer areas of the clews, tacks and heads of a typical sail.. and of course there's much more to 'cutting down a sail' than simply altering the physical size.

Sailrite is a good source for this kind of equipment and techniques.

Sailrite.com | Home

[Windkiller]

I appreciate the advice

I've actually read that some of the older machines can handle this sort of work and I know the corner patches require several layers
There's a big difference between older domestic machines and the machines made today
Mainly in the use of plastics and motor power
Also I realize there's more to sail design than simply cutting things down, though with a genoa that could be entirely possible.As it was a free genoa, it should be a good learnig experience regardless.
It's a ancient profession, but not rocket science.
I generally do most of my own repairs etc on boats cars and everything

Did you have some insight on the various possibly appropriate domestic machines, like the pfaff 360s or the sinker 306ks ..even some of the older japanese kenmores can handle some of this stuff
I was hoping there would be some adventurous exprimental types out there

[killarney_sailor]

We have an old Japanese made Singer if that makes any sense. Very heavy duty with cast iron and even bronze bits. It does not seem up to the task of doing sails though, although it might work better if the sail was completely spread out on a flat surface. Needle penetrates fine but the mechanism for moving the sail along is not robust enough.

[overbored]

If there was any old domestic machines up to the task then why where they not used by sailmakers back in the day when they were not so old. most old domestic machines are not zig zag and do not have a walking foot. my old '64 elna can sew dingy sails and spinnakers but not a big boat clew or tack. my Sailrite Lsz1 even has a hard time with the tack on 30 footer sails.

[Windkiller]

All the machines I mentioned are zig zag
however I forgot to menion the neechi BU another strong zig zag machine

My boat isn't a dinghy...it is however similiarly sized.

[Sabreman]

I have quite a bit of experience using a Sailrite LSZ1 on everything from building cushions, to canvas work, to sail repair. The major difference between a home machine and one that can handle multiple layers of heavy material is the walking presser foot. Most if not all home machines have only the feed dog on the bottom moving. On a commercial machine or any of the Sailrite machines, both the foot and dog move the material in unison. This is why home machines will skip stitches or break needles. It's not because they are cheap - it's because they are being used for a purpose for which they were not designed. One could install a monster motor on a home machine and have the same disastrous results - it's all in the foot. Just because it's old doesn't make it good, or even rugged. Sailrite machines are all metal and of superb quality backed with wonderful customer service.

It's a ancient profession, but not rocket science.

True. It's aerodynamics. The old timers could only guess about what made a sail or a boat fast.

Cutting a sail down to fit the rig will not make it sail right if draft, entry, and overall shape is not considered.

[Windkiller]

I appreciate your experience
i don't however plan to become a professional sailmaker so I won't need a machine that can handle hard usage on a daily basis
Domestic machines can't stand up to this sort of daily hard usage.
That is why they were not used by professional sailmakers
The stronger ones can however do these sorts of jobs on occasion
It's kind of like saying you can't take your car tires off unless you have a hoist and an air gun

Also I think there's no harm in trying something, that is how one learns...that is how professionals learn..I can do many things well that many people think they have to pay big $$ to have other people do.
I researched, experimented and then tried it and got better with further experimenting
I can't afford a sailrite machine so I won't be buying one.this does not mean I can't afford to sail or fix sails.
As to sail design...it's physics
I can get the specs for the sails I need and I can read books! yup!

I think the "oldtimers" knew a thing or two about sail design

And just because something is modern doesn't mean it's designed better...that's for sure

Perhaps I should've pointed out I was making smaller sails to avoid the unecessary debate
Thanks

[Sabreman]

Sorry if you took offense to my recommendation. Just passing it on as requested since I have the experience mentioned in the original post.

It appears that you will pursue with an older home machine. If so, I'd recommend increasing the presser foot down pressure. That may give you enough oomph to move the material. I had limited luck doing this when I attempted to make sailcovers using a home Singer machine.

Just passing on some hard learned lessons.

Happy sewing.

[Windkiller]

Not offended, just not completely agreeing
No doubt I shall learn some more hard lessons of my own!