Thompson Mini Walking Foot With Zig-Zag?!? (I Didn't Know They Made This!!!)

[@markfuller]

@2:34 ("trying to find out when Thompson disappeared. They were around long enough to have a site."). For what it's worth: the "iwayback machine" shows Thompson's site disappeared sometime between 2009-Mar-9 (the last archive of a real page) and 2011-Feb-2 (the next archive, but no content. It hasn't been archived since then.).

[@joshuarumsey2302]

very helpful video, particularly about the difficulty of mounting the monster wheel.

[@fyrpiper]

I got an industrial table when I bought my Thompson and it was a huge bonus to use with my other machines. Just found a Singer 401A in the MIL's attic and am in the process of getting it going again!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Oooh, a 401A! Nice! Keep us posted on how you like it when it is up and running, it's another machine that's been on my radar, but the right one hasn't fallen in my lap yet.

[@fyrpiper]

@@thejasonofalltrades when I first got it, the gears for the different stitch patterns were all stuck from the old oil, etc but I got them unstuck. After a good oiling she's running smooth as silk. The motor runs great, really quiet and seems to be strong as hell! Got a new footswitch and power cord in the other day but haven't had time to put her through her paces yet.

[@victorchisholm627]

@@thejasonofalltrades a 401 is a great machine, and it's so crazy to watch how the needlebar pivots to make the zigs and zags. I do hope one comes your way but may it not actually fall in your lap!

[@dannyl2598]

Thanks, I have recently discovered the advantages of a zigzag machine and the two things that you spoke of are top on my list. I was gifted a Kenmore from the 1970's. It also makes a very strong "box-X" on webbing.

[@alvinseaside790]

I bought the Mini Walker in 97 or 6. Still got it. Sail rite bought them out.

[@enchantingbreeze2602]

How nice to come across your videos. I have a machine almost like that. Omega brand. Didn't know I had a semi gem in my hands.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I hate to be the bearer of "bad" news, but Omega is one of the many shameless knock-offs of the Sailrite. I'm kind of surprised how high they are priced, too, quite close to the price of a real Sailrite machine. Either way, if you're happy with it and it works well for you, that's what's important! Thanks for watching!

[@enchantingbreeze2602]

@@thejasonofalltrades not really happy with it. It's a monster to work with when you want to do small areas. It's really only good for straight stitch. Yes, They are similar to Sail rite. I purchased mine in eBay, over 5years ago, for $400. Including shipping overseas. It's a heavy item that weights around some 40lbs.

[@enchantingbreeze2602]

@@thejasonofalltrades sold it two weeks ago.😉 No lost in $, had it two years and made good use of it and only $80.00 (less) difference in original price. So I'm making a happy dance and purchased a Consew226. What a beast!!😉

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

@@enchantingbreeze2602 How do you like the Consew?

[@williammitchell4177]

Jason, as a comrade of heavy duty sewing and machine collecting I will say that was a very fair price for that machine. Especially with all the additions that it came with I think reasonably that machine could have gone for about 600-750.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks William! I neglected to mention it in the video, but it came with what appears to be an original receipt from 2004, showing it sold for $899 for just the machine (I didn't realize they were available new that recently). So yes, I'm happy with the price. Eventually there will still be a half-dozen comments about how I got ripped off and how someone paid them to take the machine away lol. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@gergemall]

The deal is still great

[@WINCHANDLE]

Thx for great video. You did really well on the price, considering it included a table and the monster wheel. I have the same machine and got the monster wheel from Sailrite. For some trivial reason the wheel didn't fit right for and didn't pursue trouble shooting & mounting it. If going sailing offshore, I'd work on it.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks! The reason my monster wheel didn't work was because some Thompsons have a different diameter "jack drive" pulley, and it interferes with the bigger wheel. You can get the Sailrite one from them and it should solve the issue. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@robinson101011]

Thanks for the video Jason, very interesting - I think you did really well with the machine and especially with the table.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks!

[@alp-1960]

I think you got a good deal, considering the machine, table, and other goodies. Way to go! Looking forward to more videos about this cool thang.

[@stoneblue1795]

Oh my, this was informative buddy. Not only do I want a Sailrite zigzag machine really bad, but I have two vintage Singers 201-2 & a 15/91 that would work nice in that table. Thanks for that tip and for this video Jason. I will be ordering a table from them.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks JP!

[@louparsons]

A good video, especially for someone who has a sewing machine problem of their own. And the news about the table cutout made every second of the video doubly useful. Thanks. YVR

[@bushratbeachbum]

Looks like an amazingly useful machine. Very jealous!! Any walking foot machine here is well over $1000, and usually extremely well used, often abused!

[@braxtonec]

You got a good deal. Table and wheel on top of it all.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I'm happy with it, at least! Thanks man!

[@charlesfaulkner8653]

Another excellent video. I’d keep the table, sell the machine and buy the Sailrite LZ1 and call it a day. I love my Sailrite.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

This thing is basically identical to the LZ1 and half the price.

[@readiysteadiy]

Hey Jason - your channel is awesome. Found this on the Sailrite forums: “I went ahead and ordered the Monster II wheel kit for my Thompson PW-400 mini-walker. Just arrived today. It fit no problems at all. It should be noted that the motor guard housing will not fit over the new wheel assembly. so if using it without the guard is an issue for anyone, then order the sailrite guard too or you can trim the thompson one to fit. “ So obviously some Thompson machines can take the Monster II wheel - maybe try that motor guard work around? Also - in regards to your servo motor situation (on hold I read in the comments below) I wanted to add that at Reliable - if they’re setting up one of the Barracudas with a servo - they take off the factory wheel and add a wheel for a Singer 20 U (I guess to take a V belt?) - not sure if that’ll help you with your Workhorse - in fact I’m sure it won’t (as it’s a different belt) but thought I’d throw that out there as something else that seems to work in case you're tinkering….

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I've been distracted by other projects lately, but I think I'm leaning toward using the servo motor for my Consew 225, and possibly mounting the Monster Wheel to my Sailrite. I appreciate the tip, I may yet use the Monster Wheel on this machine, depending on how much I end up using it. Right now it's mostly serving as a bar tacker. Thanks for the information!

[@spotsill]

I paid $150 for my Thompson and it was a 1.5 hour drive 👍🏻👍🏻. Still have not used it got the needles and might try some denim this weekend.

[@alvinseaside790]

Mini Walker? If I’m good condition you scored.

[@spotsill]

@@alvinseaside790 it was definitely worth the trip and I never imagined denim could be so easy to hem .

[@katherinebarbery1762]

Many happy hours sewing 😄😄

[@coribreidenbach9783]

I think we need to trade monster wheels. I used to have the Thompson Mini walker and sold it but kept the monster wheel thinking it would fit my new Sailrite. They are both Great Machines. Nice job on the video.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I still haven't had a chance to play around with getting the wheel to work on this machine, or trying it on my Sailrite. One of these days!

[@danishskiwarehouse]

Congratulations on your find! Totally worth it. I do have a question, and it is from a position of almost complete ignorance. (I’m still waiting to pick up my recently purchased Singer 237 but am still under strict isolation rules over here.). I have seen that it is possible to buy walking foot attachments for 237s. They’re Singer branded but do have a cheap and nasty looking plastic piece on them. Are you aware of these? If so, could you please share your thoughts? I suspect if they have any utility, it would be for the thinner and more slippery fabrics (eg for lightweight tarps), but again, that’s from a position of complete ignorance. Many thanks!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I think your assessment is right on the money! I've been planning a walking-foot vs "walking foot" video for some time, I need to make that happen!

[@rodjones8411]

@@thejasonofalltrades Thank you!

[@Conek2u]

Jason...great video...I have a Thompson Mini Walking Foot machine PW201, I would like to have a table or better yet a case for it. Do you have a source for a case? TOM

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi Tom, My PW-500 came in a generic white plastic case. The machine has the same bed size as my Singer 15-91, Singer 237, Singer Touch-and-Sew 758 and probably many others, so any generic case that fits any of those should work. Sailrite sells their road case-style cases separately, and they would probably fit, but they're not cheap. I hope that helps!

[@Rust.Bucket]

Jason, love your content. Honestly; its not easy to find such a manly sewing channel. All the things you cover and sew are the things and reasons I got into sewing as well. Anyway, what I wanted to post here is.....it might be a good suggestion to: Just get the Sailrite. I think during thanks giving or xmas time, they offer a few hundred bucks off plus free shipping. And yes, you got a neat-o variant of the sailrite (a clone...but NOT a clone - a cool talking point for sure); and the price with the table was good. But by time you add all the bells and whistles that make the sailrite liveable as a sewing machine...your a few bucks shy of just buying a new one from sailrite themselves. I tried one of those chinese clones; and it kept falling apart. I bought all the upgrades to make it similar to the sailrite (metal balance wheel, lever guide, etc). By the end of it all...I saved maybe $400 polishing a turd; but it was still a turd. The machine itself kept de-tuning itself; kept missing stiches and slamming the needle into the stitch plate...which bent....then caused it to miss more stitches and hit the needle more frequently. The machine itself was a turd. Don't get me twisted though; I'll put money down saying your Thompson is probably more akin to the quality of the sailrite than my chinese one. I think sailrite says somewhere in their documents that both machines (thompson and sailrite) were made in the exact same factory, by the same technitions. Sailrite just imported theirs to the states and individually tuned/painted each one and added a few bells and whistles to make them stand out. Not sure, but thats the lore I have in my head. Anyways, the girlfriend bought me a Sailrite for xmas with the aforementioned sale. The machine is literally 10 times better. A way I describe it is: cheap dollar store plastic handled screw drivers where you can see the grind marks and the handles crack on the 3rd use(chinese clone) versus a well made matco or snap-on screw driver (sailrite). The sailrite is a beast. I pre-oil the machine for each project; and have done over a dozen various projects involving leather, nylon webbing, covid face masks with sunbrella, even sewed thin kydex with it! And the machine has always impressed me. Its like a Ford F150 from the 80's. Rough around the edges (in an industrial sort of way), makes strange noises....but it always gets the job done without a hitch (even when you think in the back of your mind "I don't think this machine was meant for this...") and since it has AC, good enough for date night. Having had both machines I can lay out mathmatically...for the $400 I "saved" by building up the clone....the sailrite offered the following: 1. Tuned by professionals in America 2. Upgraded stitch plate 3. Polished moving and mating parts which made it run smoother than the chinese one 4. Beefier parts (espically the needle up lever mechanism - which kept bending in the chinese one, causing the upper foot to stop lifting over time) 5. More quality parts. Not only was that lever mechanism beefier, but the chinese one was made of softer metal like a cheap fork type metal 6. Better fit and finish 7. The HARD CASE! The sailrite case is golden. Keeps the machine protected from dust, wood, and metal chips in my shop. - also keeps everything neat and ready to go. The case makes it more like a kit for when you have a sewing project. Just grab the big heavy box and go to work 8. New with warranty. I forget how long the warranty is; but sailrite stands by their produuct. 9. Buying from them supports a good company, and their employees. Who here hasnt watched a sailrite video to learn something? Anyway, just my 72 cents.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi David, Your 72 cents was worth at least a dollar! I agree, and for me, the Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1 is the first machine I recommend to anyone looking to sew primarily heavier materials of the sort I use. I'll probably have one eventually. I have a soft spot for the Thompson machines, though. I'm about 3/4 sewing machine user, 1/4 sewing machine collector, and adding this one to the collection was a no-brainer. I may eventually get an LSZ-1 and have to send this one to a new home, but I'm in no hurry :) I lean more toward industrials these days, and I prefer to buy cheap used stuff, often just because it's how I roll, but also because I can be a cautionary tale for others - watch me waste money so you don't have to! Sometimes old and used (or just cheap) is a good way to get a foot in the door, and sometimes it can be so frustrating as to be not worth the "savings," as you point out. Thanks for adding to the conversation, and thanks for watching!

[@fj60erik]

Great video and great machine, it served me well! Must have been a really nice guy to sell it to you for such a fair price......lol. Sorry about the needle plate, I never tried it. If I had kept the machine I would have added a servo motor as well, looking forward to another video after you upgrade. Thanks again and glad you are enjoying it! Erik

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks Erik, it was great meeting you! Whenever you're down my way I owe you a tasty beverage, I'm thrilled with the machine!

[@lizziel4876]

In the video you say that you're going to do another video on tables (at least I think you did!). I've had a look in your lists but can't find one - could you post a link if there is one? Thank you Jason!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi Lizzie, I can't remember if I was referring to the Sailrite table, or tables in general. I believe I was referring to the fact that Sailrite/Thompson/generic portable walking-foot machines will fit in vintage Singer tables (and vice versa). I have the intent to make a table for these machines, but at this point I have no idea when I'll get around to that. The only real table content I've made is making the table top for my Consew 206, that video can be found on my second channel TheJasonWINS. Thanks for being part of the channel!

[@lizziel4876]

@@thejasonofalltrades thank you. I'll have a look at that post on the Consew table.

[@shmser8401]

I recently subscribed to your channel. Didn’t know you had an affiliate link with BigDuckCanvas :( Next time I’ll by through the link. Love your content. Also, just bought an LS-1. I had used the LSZ-1 sewing some things for military dudes in Afghanistan. Loved it but I don’t think I’ll need zigzag. Maybe I will in the future but I also preferred the red color :D

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi Sam, thanks for subscribing! And no worries about the link, I like Big Duck canvas and I'm glad you found them useful. I rarely use zig-zag, but mostly because I didn't have it handy. I'll probably use it more now. I do still love my Ultrafeed LS-1, though!

[@jorgensen8]

Another opinion. Just got a friends Sailrite on permanent loan yesterday. I had bought a Toughsew but it didn't have the monster wheel and needed to slow the machine down, so this appeared to be a cheap solution. When comparing the two machines, the Toughsew ran smoother and quieter to my surprise, but the monster wheel was far better at controlling speed. Now I'm in indecision.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Sailrite would hate me for saying this, but the Monster wheel will likely fit your Toughsew. If your friend doesn't mind, you could even test fit his to confirm before buying one.

[@stonecrestquilt]

I had no idea the Singer footprint was the same as the Thompson!! Thank you!!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

One caution, it's the same size as MANY Singers (I can say for sure the 15-91 and the 237), but not all. But using the Thompson or Sailrite in a vintage folding table is very handy, enjoy!

[@EthosAtheos]

@@thejasonofalltrades That is useful info thank you!

[@kevinrico1194]

Seamster!!! Love the T-shirt! I’m gonna hopefully buy one soon. Thanks for all your awesome videos.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@johnkovach4419]

Are there any videos on threading the PWZ 500

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Sailrite has videos on threading the Ultrafeed machines, it's an identical process.

[@victorchisholm627]

Actually, many vintage non-industrial zigzaggers are "left-homing" machines: there is no adjustment for left/centre/right needle position; adjusting the stitch width adjusts how far the needle pivots from the left-most position; 0 width is straight-stitching, with the needle at the left. I think I've read that it's a simpler design (compared to zizgzag machines that home to centre) and that the straight-stitch is a bit straighter. However if you like to sew a narrow seam, they can be a bit of a challenge.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@fish7400]

Wow! Good find bro! I had no clue they made a zig-zag either. My military unit just bough a brand new consew zig-zag machine for the parachute repairs we perform in the shop.. cost a few thousand tax-payer dollars, and honestly... I think my LSZ-1 does a better, more precise and controllable job. I think I mentioned this to you previously, but I cant speak highly enough about my Sailrite LSZ-1 for anyone considering one. Their support, helpful staff, youtube channel and website are reason enough for me to drink the koolaid. My only regret is that I got the basic package, then slowly bought the add-on stuff as I went. Should have just ponied up the cash for the premium package straight away. Totally worth it.

[@mrrustygray]

You a rigger?

[@fish7400]

@@mrrustygray yes sir! We let you down easy! Your life is our business!

[@mrrustygray]

@@fish7400 LMAO says the former airborne with multiple spinal fractures due to a canopy failure. Jump master: only 1 in 100k have issues. me: I guess 99,999 jumped before me. Just ribbing you brother. I was jumping a dash 1B in 89, easy peasy training run, but shit happened. Low level jump, full gear, risers twisted, kicked out, looked up, saw a tear happening, went pucker factor 11, because 10 was not high enough, but was already too low to go reserve. I have friends with close to 1000 jumps over 20 years, no issues. I am an unlucky magnet. VA gave me 30% for it.

[@fish7400]

@@mrrustygray 30%?!?! Thats it?! Damn man... thats a bummer. Glad you're still alive to tell the tale tho! But yeah, your JM was right with the statistics. We've only ever had 1 reserve ride in the last 10 years. But even that one was concluded a possible wind shear anomaly by the life science investigation. Fancy way of saying the pilot was going way too fast for static line jump. Had 4 panels blow out.

[@mrrustygray]

@@fish7400 My theory is that God has a sense of humor. He probably knew that I would go to the desert and die doing stupid things. LOL so it was off to the intelligence side. The Oxymoron, Military Intelligence. I never did jump again, and now conveniently, all my records were "lost" in 1998.

[@Michael-mp1iu]

congrats dude. That is a hefty price... but like you said sometimes you have to pay full resale when something rare comes up. Especially right now that sewing machines are still flying off the shelves because of face masks.

[@dallasshell6455]

I have a straight stitch Thompson PW200 that I use regularly. They use a different presser and walking foot than the Sailright they are not interchangeable. I would like some cording feet, have you found a source for Thompson parts/feet?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, I don't know that there is a good source for parts for the early Thompsons. You might search Sailrite's forums, I've seen discussions about Thompson machines there in the past, but honestly I know almost nothing about the early models. Good luck!

[@mikekollross8810]

I found a Thompson walking foot at Value Village. Paid $129 Canadian.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Yeah, that's the way to get these things, but some of us could look for a lifetime and never find one that way. Congratulations!

[@mikeg9329]

Do you have a. Video on how to thread a Thompson pwz-500

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I don't have one, but if you search for Sailrite's videos on threading the Ultrafeed machines, they thread exactly the same.

[@masterpython]

Is Thompson the same company that made the sub machine guns?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Unfortunately, no lol. The actual company was Datho Manufacturing (I think the guy's name was Dave Thompson or something like that), and they used Thompson as the brand name for the machines.

[@ryanmiller3544]

Looks like an old Sailrite..should be good

[@JWTrexler2011]

Is the Thompson a triple feed, walking foot? Are there other portable triple feed, walking foot machines?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

The Thompson (and the Sailrite Ultrafeed and all of the other machines based on the Thompson design) are not triple feed, only feed-dog-and-walking-foot. I am not aware of any triple-feed portable machine. I have several triple-feed industrial machines, and have used a bunch more professionally, and I honestly have never encountered anything the triple-feed machines could feed that the portable walking-foot machines couldn't. I've had it put forth to me that there could actually be an advantage to the non-triple-feed machines, but I honestly can't remember the argument well enough to repeat it, but in my experience, they function equally well with the materials I've used in them. The main advantage I find to a full-size industrial is having a knee-lift, and the larger throat space is probably second. I hope that helps, thanks for the question and thanks for watching!

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Is it just the way you recorded it in this video or is this quieter than the Sailrite?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! I think the table absorbs some of the sound. The monster wheel might, too, actually. My other Thompson sounds exactly the same as the Sailrite. I need to bring the Sailrite to my shop and put it in the table to see what difference it makes!

[@randal1470]

Neat, had no idea about that machine either, great score! I think the price was ok, it looks to be in excellent condition and the table is a huge bonus. I noticed it seems to sound a bit different than the sailright...are the gears nylon in the Thompson as well? Or am I just hearing things that are not there. Two thumbs up on the lighting upgrade by the way. Servo motors. Bah. Payin all that money jus to make it almost work as good as a treadle. 😄 I have to check your store for the sew hard sticker

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! Neither the Sailrite nor the Thompson have nylon gears. I think the difference in sound is due to being in the table, I think the mass quiets it down a little. Hey, send me an email at thejasonofalltrades @ gmail . com (remove the spaces). I want your feedback on the sticker design!

[@randal1470]

thejasonofalltrades oh geez, sorry, I’ve not seen inside either, I made an assumption based on the noise from the machines as they run, that the sailrights had nylon gears. My mistake, my knowledge base revolves around a small group of singer industrial machines for the most part. I’ve only seen inside the Fabricator model, which I consider an excellent modern variation on the 111’s. The 1200 would look some sexy in that table btw. 😄 I’ll send a mail in a bit, I’ll put “VinlandBushcraft” in the header.

[@HyperactiveCom]

Thanks - Does the workerB motor fit on this?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! Yes it does! In my initial review of the WorkerB, I installed it on this machine as well as the Ultrafeed. Thanks for watching!

[@SH-kw2ln]

Do you have information on the pinnock mini walking foot machine? I was lead to believe that this was before sailrite so I'm wondering if Pinnock was first or Thompson was.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, I had never heard of Pinnock before this comment. In my searching, I've found one expired classified ad in Australia referring to a Pinnock walking-foot machine, but I can't find any other information about it. If you have any additional information or sources, I'm very interested to know more!

[@daurye92]

Great and versatile machine! I wondered what you think of any JUKI "LZ" machine in comparison to those? Alexander Dyer once reviewed a JUKI LZH 1290 for instance. I could have gotten a JUKIDLU-5490N-7 with servo motor in near mint condition for 400€ which I ended up not buying because without zig zag it isn't very versatile for the money and the buying it for only being an industrial machine didn't make much sense to me. Do you have any experience with JUKI LZ machines? Unfortunately Thompson machines aren't available to me and sailrites are way to expensive even though I'd prefer a portable machine over an industrial.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I haven't used that particular Juki, but my experiences with other Jukis have all been positive, and they're pretty much the top of the heap among industrial machines. Like pretty much everything else, I suspect the older ones are better built than the newer ones. Finding a walking foot machine with zig-zag (other than the Sailrite/Thompson design) is challenging. Thanks for watching and commenting, Simon!

[@daurye92]

@@thejasonofalltrades Thank you for the reply! I have found a few other mainly vintage pfaff industrial models that in some caaes also have walking foot and zig zag. Pfaffs anf also Singers are much more available here in germany. I guess I'll have to do some more research to find a machine that bozh fits my needs and my budget. Thank you for your help!

[@diedre20020]

Could you put a servo motor on a machine like this? I have a family sew zig zag machine that looks just like this and I was considering it but wouldn’t know how to do it.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I am in the process of installing a Sailrite Workhorse servo motor on a Sailrite table with a Thompson machine. There will be a two-part video releasing probably in the next two weeks. Short answer is yes, you can, but you’ll need a table to mount the motor, and pulleys on the motor and the machine that are compatible. I hope that helps, there will be info in the videos, including some obstacles I’ve alrwady encountered.

[@diedre20020]

Did you ever get that two part video done for adding the sailrite servo motor and table

[@thejasonofalltrades]

@@diedre20020 Hi, unfortunately my review/installation video is on hold indefinitely. I'm very happy with the motor, but my particular needs make using it with my portable machines not the result I wanted. At some point in the future I intend to use this motor with one of my other machines. Sailrite has excellent installation videos that should have any info you need, though!

[@nahnahbethr661]

Where did you get your attachable led light?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

This one is a Sailrite model (it came with this machine when I got it). Works great! Thanks for watching!

[@edwardwilliams9613]

How to assembly my lift bar for pw500 thompson

[@thejasonofalltrades]

If you check out Sailrite's channel, they have lots of tutorials on repairs to their machines, they should apply directly to yours. I don't know for sure if they have exactly what you need, but there should be something that helps!

[@lorrainegollnick5167]

Can I make this machine sew a straight line too??

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, Yes, all zig-zag machines will also so straight-stitch (with the possible exception of some very specialized industrial machines). I hope that helps, thanks for watching!

[@avtradings]

did you aver install servo motor on this machine?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I have installed the motor and am awaiting the belt. There will be a two-part video coming, hopefully in the next week or so. Thanks!

[@rachelsewell7744]

I actually have one of these machines that I no longer use and have decided to sell. However I'm unsure of where to list it in order to get it to someone who would appreciate it.

[@nina1805]

Hi, I would be interested to buy, do you still have it?

[@rachelsewell7744]

@@nina1805 sorry but I sold it.

[@amoledor]

I saw a video on KZbin a while back and can't find it now but it had a machine that winds bobbins as you sew and automatically cuts it off when it is filled. Was that one of your videos or do you know a machine that does that?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I've never used one, but there are bobbin winders out there. I've seen inexpensive ones at the local fabric store, but I have no experience with them at all.

[@amoledor]

@@thejasonofalltrades It was on the machine though. So you can sew and wind at the same time on the same machine.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I think maybe you're referring to the winder on most industrial machine tables, maybe. It's screwed to the tabletop near the handwheel, and a wheel on the winder engages with the belt that runs around the hand wheel to the motor under the table to the motor. As far as I know, it requires an industrial motor to work, because of the belt arrangement. On some domestic machines, you might be able to set up a separate thread spool on a thread stand and run it to the winder on the machine, but it depends on how the bobbin winder is threaded (some follow part of the same path as the sewing thread, which probably wouldn't work). I hope that helps!

[@MrThedennisblack]

I just saw that video today. It was an Alexander Dyker video about the Juki 1541.

[@amoledor]

@@MrThedennisblack Thank you

[@harrygrady4106]

What’s the needle size for this machine?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! The needle "system" is 135X17, aka DPx17. You can get needles in that system in many sizes (I think from 12 to 23 but don't quote me), I typically use size 18 to 20 for the projects I tend to sew. This needle system is an industrial needle, and probably not available at most sewing and fabric stores. A great source is Sailrite, and their website has some great info on matching thread and needle sizes. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!

[@scratchnbell]

Hi my name is Scratch I have a sewing machine problem.

[@EthosAtheos]

Is your problem like mine, you don't have the room to set them all up all the time.

[@scratchnbell]

Fortunately not yet but I'm about there. My wife calls it my sweat shop

[@huntergreen99]

Jason, I looked for a link on where to buy this or buy some like it do you have one you would give me? A link not a machine LOL well hell LOL sure I’ll take the machine too if you want. Ha ha

[@thejasonofalltrades]

If you want a brand new machine like this one, Sailrite.com is where to go! (I don't have an affiliate relationship with them, but I am happy to recommend them.)

[@jesusvaladez885]

Got my lsz1 in pristine condition for $200 and I didn't turn the machine on just turned by hand and pay

[@thejasonofalltrades]

That's a great deal, congrats!

[@cubworx7397]

I didn't know Lamborghini made sewing machines.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

LOL, no just tractors. One day I'll finally get that second tractor :) The Berninas I recently got have Pirelli belts, though!

[@Farmfield]

Sailrite didn't develop the zig-zag in that machine, Japanese Riccar designed that on top of the Singer class 15 design in the 1950-60s. Then Singer and Adler implemented it in their machines in the 60-70s. And Thompson didn't design the walking foot machine, it was completely based on the Tailor Bird sewing machine which in turn was based on the Singer class 15 design. So the Sailrite is just a Singer class 15 with the Tailor Bird walking foot and the Riccar class 15 zig-zag design on top... 😂 So no need for shame, not buying the Sailrite, like all of these sewing machines, they're a mix of different company ideas and designs and there's 100+ years of patent lawsuit warfare between all of them... 😁

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Perhaps "design" is the wrong word for me to have used. Sailrite received a US Patent for their "design improvement" (I think that's the wording, but don't quote me). To my mind, when a person/company/entity designs or improves a product sufficiently that they are granted patent protection, and then another entity makes a direct copy of that product, that is ethically wrong, and I won't buy that copy product. Imagine if Ford hired a production factory to make F150s, and the factory pulled every other truck (and more likely than not the ones that failed some aspect of the inspection process and couldn't be sold as Ford products) off the line and put a "Jason" badge on them and sold "Jason F1500" trucks for half the price of an F150. The difference is Ford and the auto industry in the US are powerful enough that the powers that be would likely swing into action to put a stop to that. There isn't a powerful sewing machine lobby. Cars are a great analogy, actually: all cars do the same thing, and in nearly identical ways. There is nothing stopping one from designing a car that operates exactly the same as any other car, or even contracting an existing manufacturer to use some or all of their existing design to produce your own car (for example, the new Toyota Supra is almost entirely a BMW). However, you can't legally reproduce an exact copy of an existing car, or have the factory that produces them rebadge them for you so you can undersell the original because you didn't incur development, tooling and other associated costs. So yes, zig-zag machines already existed, and like a ZF-8 transmission, the class 15 bobbin case is widely used in sewing machines. A portable, walking-foot zig-zag machine has been recognized by US patent as being sufficiently unique as to be deserving of patent protection. And not to put too fine a point on this, but we aren't talking about other companies making SIMILAR machines, or machines with the same functions. We are talking about factories using the tooling and designs that were contracted and paid for by one company to then undercut and compete with that same company. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. As I have repeatedly said, everyone has to make their own ethical and budgetary decisions, and I own several machines that are, essentially, copies of other machines. But I have a strong opposition to buying a poorly made knock-off of a machine that is innovative and currently patent-protected, especially when my personal experience has been that Sailrite is a company that consistently provides excellent products, unparalleled customer service and fantastic technical support. That's just one man's opinion, though! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@seoulman2u]

A sewing machine problem..lol

[@hassanizaher97]

Ich möchte nähmachni.

[@hassanizaher97]

Hallo spreche Sie Deutsvh.

[@stonecrestquilt]

Okay I paid exactly $200 for my Thompson zz machine. I do not like that Sailrite has no competition for parts. They set their outrageous prices and people actually pay it.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

That's a great price for your machine! I'm curious as to why you think Sailrite's prices are outrageous. When a company designs a product, does research and development, has tooling made to manufacture the product, arranges for production of the product, conducts quality control to ensure the product is good, creates packaging and documentation (i.e., instructions), provides customer support and warranties on that product, are they then supposed to sell that product at a loss? What products of theirs do you think are outrageously priced?

[@GoggleAX]

Quilterbee Tarpley please also consider that they are a family owned and run U.S. based company, provide a TON of free information via their website, EXCELLENT customer support and continue to design, import and make available, quality, well built parts, products and related doo-dads. In my best thinking, these additional aspects likely play into the overall VALUE they bring to the marketplace and yes, to provide a living wage in the U.S. and make some level of acceptable/worthwhile profit for their efforts their part by part prices aren’t likely to be the lowest. A lot of other cheaper parts are certainly available for you or anyone to purchase if that’s how you choose to spend your money, certainty seems like a reasonable proposition in a free-market based economy.

[@richardgivens251]

Quiterbee.......you get what you pay for and how do you know what’s too high , like what are your qualifications , could you make the parts yourself? What about all the free help they provide, the website they maintain......... Your should put your “ thinking cap” on before you comment?

[@michaelthompson9127]

You stole it. Hey I bought a thompson pw-301 brand new in a sealed box never opened on ebay for $450 compared to a new LS-1 it's half price. When are you ever gonna find another brand new mini walker though.