got a question for yall out there that are sewing your ghillies... what sort of machine do i need to use? just broke my wifes 99$ singer....haha
Fieldcraft G suits and sewing machines
- Thread starter brutus1776
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Re: G suits and sewing machines
the answer to this depends on your budget. i know you put out a lot of ghillies, so you might want to consider investing in a descent industrial strength machine that is capable of running heavy thread and can punch through several layers of heavy canvas or nylon without bogging down.
big thing is to find a machine with good power and all metal gears. heavy canvas and nylon will destroy plastic gears pretty quick.
best route is to go with a reliable brand such as singer so that you can find replacement parts for a reasonable price if needed. it's not too hard to find a descent heavy duty machine for about $200-$500 in good used condition.
based on the ghillies that i've seen you put together, i would suggest going with a free-arm capable machine so that you can sew canvas/nylon on the sleeves and legs with greater ease. table-based machines will work too, but you're gonna have to undo seams in order to lay the materials flat while sewing.
if you have the money, the ideal set-up would be to have two machines (1 table-based and 1 free-arm)
the answer to this depends on your budget. i know you put out a lot of ghillies, so you might want to consider investing in a descent industrial strength machine that is capable of running heavy thread and can punch through several layers of heavy canvas or nylon without bogging down.
big thing is to find a machine with good power and all metal gears. heavy canvas and nylon will destroy plastic gears pretty quick.
best route is to go with a reliable brand such as singer so that you can find replacement parts for a reasonable price if needed. it's not too hard to find a descent heavy duty machine for about $200-$500 in good used condition.
based on the ghillies that i've seen you put together, i would suggest going with a free-arm capable machine so that you can sew canvas/nylon on the sleeves and legs with greater ease. table-based machines will work too, but you're gonna have to undo seams in order to lay the materials flat while sewing.
if you have the money, the ideal set-up would be to have two machines (1 table-based and 1 free-arm)
Re: G suits and sewing machines
thanks G.Zen... got any more specific models you can point me to??
thanks G.Zen... got any more specific models you can point me to??
Re: G suits and sewing machines
Juki and Consew are extremely heavy duty machines and parts are cheap, a new machine is not, but the parts are.
Ghillie Zen is right.
I have worn out three machines making ghillies before I spent the money on a Juki...a Riccar (no longer made), a Brother (too lightweight) and a non commercial Singer.
Check with your local sewing machine repair shop/guy for used commercial machines or use the net to find yourself one.
My Juki is a table top, and I have a heavily used Consew for a freearm.
HTH
Juki and Consew are extremely heavy duty machines and parts are cheap, a new machine is not, but the parts are.
Ghillie Zen is right.
I have worn out three machines making ghillies before I spent the money on a Juki...a Riccar (no longer made), a Brother (too lightweight) and a non commercial Singer.
Check with your local sewing machine repair shop/guy for used commercial machines or use the net to find yourself one.
My Juki is a table top, and I have a heavily used Consew for a freearm.
HTH
Re: G suits and sewing machines
I saw the title "G suits" and was thinking you were talking about the things pilots wear, the ones where the legs inflate to keep blood in the upper body to keep from passing out.
I saw the title "G suits" and was thinking you were talking about the things pilots wear, the ones where the legs inflate to keep blood in the upper body to keep from passing out.
Re: G suits and sewing machines
sorry about that! haha... figured everyone would know G suit in fieldcraft meant ghillie.
now im thinking about sewing, sewing machines, etc... how in the hell do you re-flat fell the shirt/pants legs after addition of pockets, canvas skids, etc? am i missing something here, but it seems impossible in my head to re flat fell stitch bdu's with a sewing machine without stitching through the other side... what gives? when stitching down the final seam on the flat fell, i always went through the other side of the leg/sleeve right next to the seam i was stitching creating a little lip sticking out on the back of the seam.
is this what the 'free arm' is for??
sorry about that! haha... figured everyone would know G suit in fieldcraft meant ghillie.
now im thinking about sewing, sewing machines, etc... how in the hell do you re-flat fell the shirt/pants legs after addition of pockets, canvas skids, etc? am i missing something here, but it seems impossible in my head to re flat fell stitch bdu's with a sewing machine without stitching through the other side... what gives? when stitching down the final seam on the flat fell, i always went through the other side of the leg/sleeve right next to the seam i was stitching creating a little lip sticking out on the back of the seam.
is this what the 'free arm' is for??
Re: G suits and sewing machines
yikes... 3K for a consew... i'd rather have another S+B scope!
looking to spend under 500$
yikes... 3K for a consew... i'd rather have another S+B scope!
looking to spend under 500$
Re: G suits and sewing machines
My mom works in "the industry" and says "Singers are shit".
She recommends either a Babylock Grace (~$299) or a go to a reputable dealer and ask about inexpensive (used?) heavyduty machine.
Of course she owns a Bernina and has done all of my heavy stuff with the same machine she uses to make quilts.
My mom works in "the industry" and says "Singers are shit".
She recommends either a Babylock Grace (~$299) or a go to a reputable dealer and ask about inexpensive (used?) heavyduty machine.
Of course she owns a Bernina and has done all of my heavy stuff with the same machine she uses to make quilts.
G
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Re: G suits and sewing machines
Man, I lucked into a chick that was a fashion design major. So, she's got 11 sewing machines, from heavy duty industrial to lightweight home machines.
I'd go for new glass too.
Frankly, I have access to those machines, and have built my last ghillie. Next one I need, SierraWhiskey will be building and the SO can cut him a check.
Man, I lucked into a chick that was a fashion design major. So, she's got 11 sewing machines, from heavy duty industrial to lightweight home machines.
I'd go for new glass too.
Frankly, I have access to those machines, and have built my last ghillie. Next one I need, SierraWhiskey will be building and the SO can cut him a check.
Re: G suits and sewing machines
I got a Sailrite with the walking foot,if you can get the material under the foot it will sew it.I think I paid $600 for it on line and it will mount in a table,I also have 3 Singers made in the 1960's and a old Brother all machines are metal
You don't want to use any thread smaller than #69....
HINT,,,,keep your eye on Craigs list!!!
I got a Sailrite with the walking foot,if you can get the material under the foot it will sew it.I think I paid $600 for it on line and it will mount in a table,I also have 3 Singers made in the 1960's and a old Brother all machines are metal
You don't want to use any thread smaller than #69....
HINT,,,,keep your eye on Craigs list!!!
Re: G suits and sewing machines
While I don't do a lot of ghillies, I do use heavy webbing 1000D and such. I just got my 1970's Union Special Industrial setup and it's a dream compared to the Brother Home machine.
You can do a lot with a home machine, but you have to be careful and run slow. With my industrial it just laughs as it speeds through four layers of PALS, fingers, hands, etc. The motor on it is as big as my head and it's all cast iron and steel.
The best part about it is I got it for $80 off craig's list because the guy just wanted it out of his garage.
While I don't do a lot of ghillies, I do use heavy webbing 1000D and such. I just got my 1970's Union Special Industrial setup and it's a dream compared to the Brother Home machine.
You can do a lot with a home machine, but you have to be careful and run slow. With my industrial it just laughs as it speeds through four layers of PALS, fingers, hands, etc. The motor on it is as big as my head and it's all cast iron and steel.
The best part about it is I got it for $80 off craig's list because the guy just wanted it out of his garage.
Re: G suits and sewing machines
I do all my light to med weight tac sewing on a singer commercial "CG-550". Its kind of in between a home machine and a industrial machine. Can be had, brand new, for about $250 to $300. Have had no problems sewing armor carriers, plate carriers, mag pouches, and any other med duty gear. It does not like to do Holsters or backpacks. When you get to 3 to 4 layers of webbing on top of 1000D it gets bogged down.
I do all my light to med weight tac sewing on a singer commercial "CG-550". Its kind of in between a home machine and a industrial machine. Can be had, brand new, for about $250 to $300. Have had no problems sewing armor carriers, plate carriers, mag pouches, and any other med duty gear. It does not like to do Holsters or backpacks. When you get to 3 to 4 layers of webbing on top of 1000D it gets bogged down.
