Sailrite LSZ-1 Review: Best Heavy Duty Sewing Machine for Your Projects?

[@17363]

Sailrite is a great family owned company and their customer service is on point.

[@BagBuff]

In my experience, this is spot on

[@SlipSlidinAway1]

I want to see you build a backpack that's fully lined and uses urethane foam interfacing. I really want to see you build something that's overengineered: a bunch of extra hidden pockets, detachable/convertable/stowable this-or-that, and just generally sick. I want to see you bind it as well. And I want to see it all done on the LSZ-1...all the ups and downs, all the foibles , all the moments you may have to go back and adjust the tension, address skipped stitches, rip stitches and re-sew. I want to see what real sewing looks like by a professional. It may not be the video we deserve, but it's the one we need. Good to see you making content again.

[@BagBuff]

Haha. You definitely deserve better than that!! It would be painfully long. Maybe I’ll put up a short version (for the regular viewers) and a full version for the rest of us haha

[@jkrjhn8]

I second this!

[@fkingbear1834]

@@BagBuff Link the full version when its done I'll watch on repeat while I work..

[@noyjuuhnii]

Backpack!

[@benleibham1131]

I've had my LSZ-1 for 4 or 5 years now and it gets used 4-5 times a week to make all sorts of heavy duty bags and soft goods. Upgraded it with the Worker B and the drop-in table. The biggest issue I run into with the LSZ-1 is when finishing off the final internal seams on backpacks or bags with lots of foam inside. Tough to actually get the seam under the presser foot and sew it (design alterations can work around this). Other than that, I've almost never come across materials it can't sew through. Has been a great first 'industrial' machine for me.

[@BagBuff]

Awesome! It is a great machine. That 3/8” really is its limit. Any time I went over 3/8” it wouldn’t sew. When I do bags with foam I generally make the foam smaller than the seam allowance by 1/4” so it wouldn’t be in the seam when doing my final binding assembly. I even did this with my industrial cylinder arm. It also makes the seams crispier!!

[@benleibham1131]

@@BagBuff Cylinder arms are awesome for that stuff!

[@kir11]

When i came to buy a something more portable than industrial sewing machine for different types of items, i set a few promts: walking foot, ability to stich thick an thin fabrics, plastics, layers with straps and so on. After research i`m googled this Sailrite. BUT. What i really dont like. is a bounds of a walking foot and its mechanism. They not allow to work with small radius and something that a not flatten, some mid and hard formed shapes. Comfy work with just flat layers of fabrics. I found very good for home a old Pfaff 1548. She can take any of the fabrics and have a walking foot also. I sew a layers of a thick, thin plastic and thick cordura, mid range fabrics and very thin nylon without stretching. Pfaff seems to be a very versitile machine.

[@markbaxter9384]

Thanks for your review. I'm just looking at buying one of these and your comments and testing has really helped me make a decision. Great video, cheers 👍

[@tess2721]

I have this machine and the one thing it's missing is a knee lift. It was not designed to even have one. Even my Singer S18 has a knee lift as does my industrial Juki. When you use a knee lift you wonder how you ever sewed without one! It's a vital feature! Great video...thank you for taking the time to post it.

[@BagBuff]

No joke! Definitely takes getting used to!

[@omarhshahine]

I just got my machine as a Christmas Gift and was happy to see your review and praise. So excited to use the machine for bag making.

[@BagBuff]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@DanRansom]

Good stuff Stephen, good to see ya making vids again.

[@BagBuff]

Thanks Dan. I need to get to your neck of the woods soon so we can hang out 🤘

[@quinnjets]

The long awaited return!

[@BagBuff]

Haha. I’m back! 🤠

[@jkrjhn8]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to shows us the machines capabilities!

[@BagBuff]

You bet!

[@USVeganTraveler]

Great video. TKS!

[@BagBuff]

Glad you liked it!

[@prolix21]

Just got one of these for bag making, super helpful video

[@BagBuff]

Awesome! Hopefully you’ll love it!

[@jameskleist9176]

Thank you you told me just what I needed to here.

[@17363]

Love lsz1 everyday

[@BagBuff]

I was so impressed

[@danishskiwarehouse]

Great video, Stephen. Just one thing - I noticed you’ve left the handle on the monster flywheel. The instructions actually say not to do that, only attaching the handle when you’re using it without the motor. (My guess is that’s because the monster wheel will no longer be balanced and may compromise its spinning momentum.)

[@BagBuff]

Ah. Interesting! Didn’t know that!!

[@danishskiwarehouse]

Apparently you can wind a bobbin whilst sewing. I’ve either seen a Sailrite video with the main man (Grant?) saying that or reading it in the instruction manual. I haven’t tried it but it is possible. As for a request, I’d love to see you make a backpack, with perhaps a little explanation on the foam you’d use for the straps because I struggle to find much info on that. Thanks again!

[@clintchilders2473]

Great to see a new video from you! Backpack with internal frame would be cool. Also, would like to see you use a binder that you like. I have the SR binder and am not a fan.

[@BagBuff]

I’ll have to dig through my binding attachments and see if I have any that fit the LSZ!

[@elaacosta]

For binding hand sewing prior to.machine is a trick that solves it

[@NikoTravels]

Would love to see a camera bag that is the best combination of lightweight, sturdy, durable, and has rear access only to the camera (the side that touches your back). Right now I have the Mindshift backlight 26L which is the best I could find but at the same time it is overpriced, a bit heavy for traveling and walking all day with, and the external pockets are ok but do not expand so it is limited what you can put in them. It would be great to have something of the same quality but lighter, maybe a touch smaller but still able to hold a large lens on a camera body (maybe 13” in length max). An additional lens like a 24-70, and a some accessories. I have many ideas for the perfect travel bag. Another option is a camera bag that fits the personal item measurements for airplanes. Now that they are charging extra for carry ons, a bag that would fit camera gear and a lap top while conforming to their “personal item measurement” of 16x6x13 inches would be great.

[@moniquemustard2608]

I’d love to see a weekender type duffle. Something you’d carry on but not need wheels to carry around. Good info on the machine. I’ve been wondering about snapping up a used one I’ve seen for sale.

[@BagBuff]

Great suggestion! Glad the video was useful 😊

[@17363]

I would like to try some neoprene to sew, haven’t done it yet. I have some firefighter turnouts that I’d like to make a few dopp bags out of…material has been sitting on a shelf for a couple years. I need a machine that can taze me for motivation. Great video, thanks for putting it out..much appreciated.

[@BagBuff]

This machine wont tazze you, but you could ask a friend?

[@AnthonyPotts]

I think a weighted vest tutorial would be good. I've liked your videos on how you arrived at the patterns for different things, but I'm not entirely sure how this would go for a weighted vest

[@mikekollross8810]

Another limiting factor is the distance from the needle to the machine by body If you sew large projects any seam in the center requires you to roll/fold/cram the other half in this gap Just something to be aware of

[@ezone913]

Remember the Sailrite is a portable machine meant to go out to sea. Frighteningly powerful in a small package. It's built to sew up a dacron sail and get you back to the dock. Presser foot height is the biggest limitations of that machine. If you are making Tactical gear, Backcountry gear or equine gear, you'll hit the wall in foot height. If you lower the needle bar height a slight and step up to a #22 needle, you can sew the max thickness you attempted. Try sewing with PTFE and you may run out of cuss words. She is a fussy little sewing machine, and you will trash a dozen cap springs learning to sew with it. Crashes and drop stitches are most always operator error. It is not built for production sewing like a Consew or a Juki but there are some jobs in the shop it does best.

[@annelandon7889]

Great video! A back pack video with a hint on how to adjust for women’s shape please.

[@BagBuff]

Oh, I like this!!

[@SlipSlidinAway1]

Awesome video--i've got an LSZ-1 and I love it. But i've never even considered using plastic. BTW what kind of plastic is that exactly? Regarding the binding attachment: i found it disappointing! Maybe i just dont know how to use it properly but I found that i'd have more consistent/better results by wonder-clipping it all on and go from there.

[@BagBuff]

This plastic is a Home Depot bucket lid haha. I use ABS for my builds. I get it from TAP Plastics here in Seattle. The bringing attachment was really a bummer. If it didn’t have that bulge in it it would be great! Luckily I have about 20 attachments in my shop that I’ll be testing out. I used to buy them in bulk when overseas on development trips 😅

[@SlipSlidinAway1]

Thanks for the tip--i'm gonna hit up TAP. Let me ask you this--on the subject of plastics--if you were going to make something with a suitcase-level of sturdiness--how would you interface the fabric? Foam and plastic together, or just plastic or something else entirely?@@BagBuff

[@steviep3736]

Just found your video and it help make my mind up about purchasing one of these machines ,. I have an Singer 20U that i have used but want to sale and get something newer

[@BagBuff]

Great to hear! Glad it was a helpful resource!

[@grifter1964]

Are you getting even windings when you wind your bobbins?

[@BagBuff]

I am!

[@Deeegeeee]

I wind all my bobbins on a seperate machine. I have a..... 5523 😁 on the side i use for thinner projects and bobbin winding while my MC400 is hammering away and my main project is on the main machine.

[@michaellarson2089]

Hi Stephen, late comment but I was wondering how the LSZ handles sewing materials right on the very edge of the fabric? Like 2-3mm off the edge. Do you think this machine is capable of reliably sewing in that circumstance?

[@BagBuff]

definitely. I couldn't think of a reason why it wouldn't

[@dag4321]

Great video. I'm considering getting one of these but can't decide between the LS1 or LSZ1. I generally don't need the zigzag feature and can always use my home machine if I need to. One difference between the two machines is that the LS1 has a narrower foot, and at Sailrite they mention it's better ant getting into tight corners. Do you think the rather wider foot on the LSZ1 is in any way a hindrance, especially if you will be sewing something on the smaller side?

[@BagBuff]

I’d assume you can pick up the narrow foot for when you are using straight stitch on the LS1. The feet are the least of my concerns. I’d get the machine that does what you need it to do. The accessories can be modified to your specific needs.

[@elaacosta]

What needle are You using most OS My binding issues are needle issues?

[@Youknowthebo]

Awesome video. I'd love to own and learn a sewing machine. But I don't have any space at home.

[@BagBuff]

The space struggle is real!

[@get2craft]

how would Singer CG590 compare to this machine?

[@kahanlikhaha]

does singer hd 4423 can sew zigzag stich to join 6mm or 7 mm cotton braided rope?

[@BagBuff]

probably not

[@andrewkent6283]

Hey Stephen, love your videos and all that you do. Quick question for you… do you offer any consulting style services for helping develop a sewing pattern for a bag? I own a business in the outdoor industry and I’m trying to tap into a new market for us, but need assistance in creating a pattern and had a several questions along with that. Is product design something you have helped other businesses with in the past?

[@BagBuff]

I do. You can email me at [e-mail]

[@lilianisramon1622]

hey, how are you? I just found your videos. I would like to know wich sewing machine do you recommend for a fashion student? Like an Industry sewing machine (like the one you use(I don't know wich it is)) or something more normal like the heavy duty from singer? Or maybe you can tell how I can search for the machine that fits me. If you have the time to answer my question. It would be great! Greetings Lia

[@BagBuff]

Depends on the type of clothing you’ll be sewing. If you’ll be doing denim at all, I’d recommend a medium weight machine that can sew light to medium fabrics. This could be anything from a Singer Heavy Duty to a Sailrite (home portable machines). I’d recommend finding a machine that is a drop feed or a needle feed if you’re wanting to go industrial. Most lightweight industrial machines will cover what you’d need to sew in a fashion environment.

[@AlexKall]

Must be invaluable on a sail boat!

[@BagBuff]

No joke!

[@biomechanique6874]

This might be a bit late but a size 18 needle is way too small for thick leather as the friction grips the thread. For what you tested with both leather and plastic you should be on a size above 21. I tend to use a 23 most of the time but change down to a 21 when working with woven textiles.

[@BagBuff]

Needle size depends on thread size and material. When I manufactured leather goods I used a size 18 needle to keep the holes tight and it worked great 🤷‍♂️

[@17363]

How about bags for dual sport motorcycles

[@BagBuff]

That would be cool! I used to manufacture moto bags for a company called Pack Animal. Pretty slick bags!

[@JM-rf1vp]

My vote is for a duffel, not round… ideally a u-shaped top zip opening. Maybe some end pockets or inside pockets.

[@BagBuff]

Noted! I’m a big fan of a duffel

[@steviep3736]

A backpack that will work for taking kids to a theme Park, to Hold snacks, juice, toys , electronics, and keep them safe and secure.

[@billhughes4731]

Thanks Stephen. I'd vote for a duffle bag, but a bit on the smaller side, like a gym bag, and definitely not round.

[@BagBuff]

Haha. Love the added, “definitely not round”. I agree with you!

[@kazzyminton1803]

I would love to have a pattern for a duffle bag. Oh and is that sewing machine available in the UK?

[@BagBuff]

Duffle bag would be fun! Sailrite does ship to the UK. I think they only do direct to consumer, so I doubt they have a reseller. But I could be wrong!

[@kazzyminton1803]

@@BagBuff ah thank you so much ... I made your lightweight backpack for my son at his request but I know my husband would love an old style duffelbag. I shall have to look into that machine as it looks amazing but couldnt even find a price when I googled it after seeing your video x

[@BagBuff]

They run about $1,100 USD @@kazzyminton1803

[@JM-rf1vp]

@kazzyminton1803 try soilent sewing. They have a partnership with sailrite. There is also an Italian guy who imports them in bulk for the eu and UK. His name is Ferrari something. Look in the sailrite Facebook groups.

[@kazzyminton1803]

Ah that is so kind of you @@JM-rf1vp THANK YOU

[@Literature-ft8ru]

If I can make a vest thats waterproof with a parachute built in and added cargo pockets and belt clip attachments to hang your measuring tape, and what not I want to make clothing to be the equivalent of being a walking swiss army knife and being protective against viscious dog attacks. With sewn on self defense non lethal slightly heavy led cord tip straps for fending off perpetrators of assault. And finally having a sewing machine strong enough to poke through diamond braided reinforced water resistant canvas. Installing buttons to pop open for breathable flexible strong fabric for hot locations so it can breath. Super strong magnets embedded into the fabric to hold anything you want. A wrench, a hammer, a shovel on your back. An axe on your back with an ejection clip to release whatever you attached to your back like a video game character. You know, clothes you can wear to go to grab a hot coffee and have it spill all over you and feel nothing and have no stains.

[@skeeet5758]

Just started watching the videos is there anything within like a 300,500 range for a guy that likes to make wallets and belts. I used to get into doing some out of work I was sketched up some patterns... I'm not above a hand stitch I'm not above it. Honestly if you only you know do a few I used to make shoes too that were hand-stitched. I see those little $100 hand crank options that they say they use for cobbling. I had an old saddle machine that would do shoes but man. People break into your house to get stuff like that around here I found one that was old it took me a while to get the parts to fix it I sold it to a guy I thought he was just going to steal it

[@skeeet5758]

I had that old saddle machine I found a guy that had parts and then soon as he had my address he was right over there drilling over it it was more than I needed I just used it to stitch up some shoes😂😂😂... He just had a couple parts and honestly he said he wanted to see it but he was sitting outside of her house looking through the freaking window to see if he could see it he gave us the Willies. It was fair money. For whatever that thing was at the time I can't even remember it's been so long ago but it would stitch just about anything. I just don't get into the old stuff anymore if you find parts and you find some weirdo that's got the parts. Oftentimes it's bait to finish whatever they're working on or something I don't know it's just too much. I found it at a place that they were just getting rid of stuff at an estate sale or something I can't remember it was old it was missing some stuff

[@skeeet5758]

I remember one other thing about that machine it had like these heads that you can change out... For the different thicknesses like I had three or four maybe more the lady had found the rest of the stuff that went with it. She brought it over to our place and dropped it off. She couldn't find it but there was a guy there that took and I bought the machine he was trying to get it off of me he found one of the Jaws and he just wanted one jaw for whatever reason... I had a guy that made me a custom-made hunting rifle. At first he took it was like a pusher it kept breaking The Pusher off. So he fixed it he tig welded it back together... And then you know it broke a couple times so in the bottoms of the shoes to the top and then he took and made me a new piece out of some kind of metal he had a water jet... Also he worked on watches so it was something that he liked to do... I used to get into some watch repairs but you know that brought around stray dogs too... But I had the sky make the parts he did it a couple times and then he said well you know I can't guarantee it and if he couldn't guarantee it he wouldn't do it... I said I really don't care I just like to use it I just got into putting bottoms on the tennis shoes and stuff like that and making my own stuff... But this guy you know eventually came around he had some more other pieces that went with it and he had some of the pushers and he said that's the problem with the machine so eventually you know we agreed on some money I couldn't keep getting the parts fixed and then he made a better Pusher and it started breaking stuff... It was sloppy wore out. The old timer that had it he did a lot with it so he wore it out they had one that they were keeping... could you tell me the name of a machine that's like that where you got the Jaws that you can change out I mean some of those jobs were like. 12 in and then they made deeper ones too I can't remember it's been a long time ago. I remember the needles were really expensive some of them were the size of a either a 8 penny nail a 16 penny nail... It was crazy. What I didn't like about it whenever you would stitch a shoe down to the soul even with wax twine it would get your feet wet if you got in the puddles or something... Either I didn't know how to use it but I would love to know what kind of sewing machine that would have been. It had like a some kind of little dimple machine finish on it it was nice. It was just wore out

[@Whatsnormal637]

I named mine "Drako" the blue dragon. You get it under, it will sew. 🤺💐

[@Whatsnormal637]

Puckers also pressure foot tension. 🤺💐

[@bobporter7742]

Backpack or Travel Tote.

[@BagBuff]

Noted!! Nice and simple 😎

[@skeeet5758]

Nice machine it's about 1300 bucks...

[@markseppelfrick9061]

tactical sling

[@AC-uf8ez]

Motorcycle adventure saddlebags

[@BagBuff]

That would be rad

[@JordanGladstone-l4p]

Corkery Lock

[@bluesbob5611]

Back pack

[@Ingrid97_]

Almeno 10 secondi , per una volta , ce la vuoi lasciare l'inquadratura sulla macchina che cuce !

[@FromFoodToFlesh]

It’s portable….. Only good thing about it.