Kitebuilder Online

[mike377567151]

I'm new to kitebuilding, but want to build foil traction kites, using mylar or whatever fabric you experts recommend. Question: can someone please recommend one or more sewing machines that will handle my intended plan. Any other indispensible tools that I need? Thanks so much for any info you can provide. Mike Oberlin. Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.A.

[wdrwilson]

Hi And welcome to the forum!!!

If you can find one a Pfaff 1222 or 1222E is a wonderful machine!! They were made by Pfaff in the late 60's and early 70's. You should be able to find them on ebay. Make sure to enquire about the black insulation cord on the top of the machine as some models had problems with the rubber/plastic breaking down and ooozing into the bowels of the machine.

Cheers,
Bill

[Stan]

Traction foils generally use mostly straight stitches, so old "granny" Singers work well. Some beautiful traction kites are made with old Kenmores, Singers and Brothers from garage sales.

I've made some traction kites with my White 1919, an ordinary cheap machine, and it works fine.

And now, we return to the Pfaff Pfaithful...

Stan

[Dorsal]

Pfaff schmaff ! My only recommendation is that you definitely want to own a sewing machine, 'cause hand-stitching is hard work. Beyond that, establish what budget you are willing to spend, and go get a machine.
After all, there are some people who'd recommend you buy a H2 Hummer for your next vehicle, because they feel Hummers are worth it - but I think they are about the stupidest looking, most impractical and worthless piece of vehicular trash ever devised to drag the wallets out of the pockets of really stupid, pretentious people.
In other words, everyone has an opinion. Go buy a machine and form your own opinion, then you'll have one too.

_________________
"The wind is the perfect reminder of God.
The only way we can prove it exists is by observing the things it affects.
That's why I also believe in the wind!"
Dennis

[Stan]

I'm glad you said it, Dennis. I was Pfearful to provoke the Pfaffanistas.

Stan

[skydino]

Dorsal , Rum here .

Dennis PLZ post thast site with the sewing machines on it .

You had put it up on a thread when you talked about your $129 American Denim by Simplicity ??

If for nothing else it gives one an Idea what a used machine is worth .
Oh another thing to keep in mind is that it costs about $59.99 to clean and adjust a machine at a service store !!

New can be cheaper , but running one out of a garage sale for 15 to 20 is a good learning curve too !

It's that nut on the very end of a machine that's what makes it work good or not .

[Kitesquid]

There are many diffrent brands and price levels of sewing machines.

before you go any farther plesase read THIS ARTICLE written by Gary Engval.

Your machine HAS to be able to sew light fabrics as well as heavy fabrics without dropping stitches and to be able to peirce many layers of reinforcing material.

You have to be able to sew a strate stitch and you may want to have a zigzag also.

All other things that a machine does are nice to have features and they include but are not limited to

Needle up

Needle down

Low bobbin indicator

automatic tie off

automatic back tack

thread cutter

decotrative stitches

Dual feed

walking foot attachment

true walking foot

or what I want..... walking needle!!!! which means that the only time the fabric moves is when the needle is in the fabric so the layers cannot move in refrence to eachother. This is EXPENSIVE!!!! but we can dream cant we?

If you get a used machine I recomend that you have it serviced before you try to sew on it. If a machine has been stored for any length of time the oils and greases can gum up and make the machine unable to make a good stitch.

If you buy a machine from a dealer you should be offered free classes. TAKE THEM and disregard the comment that you shold never adjust the bobbin tension.

I recomend that you take some fabric and thread that you inted to ues in your kite building to a dealer and sew on all the macines they have on the floor and mess wiht the tensions and all the features to see what you want and what you need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We all can sew a kite on a $10,000 or a machine that I found next to a trash can on trash day... as long as you can repair it or adjust it or maybe just clean and oil it...it depends on how hard you want to work and how much money you want to spend.

On the big dollar macines, I still only used a straight and zigzag stitch....
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA


P.S. Yet another long winded post by the Squid.....

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

[Progcraft]

Here's 2 cents from a novice.
When I decided to start kitebuilding, I too had the same question (everyone did). I found all the same information Kitesquid and the others just laid out (albeit I didn't get it in one nice little package)
My final descision took all that into consideration, but the ultimate deciding factor was price. I picked a price range within my meger budget then hunted down every machine in town that fit. Turns out, they were all pretty much the same. My final decision was a Kenmore 27 stitch machine. And I'm quite happy with it. The biggest factor in deciding to go with this machine was is in fact the sales lady. She treated me nicer then any of the others. Was more helpfull, willing, and, well, nicer to me.
I like my machine. I've become very comfortable and confident with it and yet, it has no advanced features like needle up/down, true walking foot, or much else. It does have a needle threader and horizontal drop in bobbin (nice and easy and hassle free to use) and I have bought a add on walking foot cause they're cheap and seem to work.

So, your on the right track so far Mike. Get as much knowledge as you can. Load up on info. It's always good. But, don't let yourself get caught up in fancy jargon or features. But, always, always, always ask about warranty if your buying new

Cheers,
Progcraft.

[Dorsal]

Rum - I think the links you were talking about were either http://www.allbrands.com/index.php or http://www.sewvacdirect.com . Cruising those sites will give you a lot of knowledge about pricing and options.
Also, the AllBrands site has a sewing Forum that's monstrous. A lot of nice people there, (mostly into embroidery and quilting) who are very forward with whatever information, help and hints you need.

Another thing to consider is service for your machine. You might pay a little more at the local sewing store (and what's wrong with supporting your local businesses?), but the local store will probably be able to, or have a connection with a shop that will, service your machine. Some online outlets have great prices BECAUSE they know that's the last time they will ever see the machine - they do not offer services, and have nothing to do with warranty issues either. I bought mine right here in town, 'cause the lady there was very helpful and paid attention when I showed her the material I would be working with. She didn't go to the most expensive machine in the store - she showed me the ones that would work with .5 oz. Icarex and would sew thru 4 layers of seatbelt webbing without breaking a sweat.
_________________
"The wind is the perfect reminder of God.
The only way we can prove it exists is by observing the things it affects.
That's why I also believe in the wind!"
Dennis

[wdrwilson]

Hi all,

I agree with Dorsal... Service is essential. I purchased my machine used from my local sewing shop. Wow what a great bunch of people, and if something goes wrong you know you always have someone to call, and go see on short notice if necessary.


Good luck,
Bill