- How to Find the Best Spray Paint for Metal - December 3, 2021
- Creative Wood Burning Ideas: To Bring Back Your Inspiration! - November 20, 2021
- Best Iron for Perler Beads Guide: To to Enjoy This Craft Even More! - November 20, 2021
Have you ever wondered if you could fulfill your lifelong dream of building a business around your creative nature? If you have all the right tools, why not give it a go?
This is actually a great time to build a creative business. Just consider how COVID has caused many families to trade their monetary support for big regional or national businesses so they could keep more funds within their communities. With small businesses trying to make a comeback and locals willing to support those businesses, now may be the best time to open your sewing shop.
So, get your vision board prepped, throw around a few ideas for names and slogans, and then get your gear in order. Craft & Stitch guides can’t help with the first two steps in this process, but they can certainly help you find the best sewing gear to start your business. In fact, that is the purpose of this article.
There are plenty of articles on our website about how to find regular sewing machines, but in this article, I am going to guide you through the process of how to find the best industrial sewing machines. I will break down each step along the way so that you can comprehend why you need an industrial sewing machine, what features to look for in an industrial sewing machine, and where you can find them. If you’re as anxious for you to get your sewing business up and running as I am, let’s start researching.
Bottom Line Upfront: My Top Three Picks
If you don’t want to read all the way through, here are my top three picks for best industrial sewing machines.
- Juki DDL-8700-H Industrial Sewing Machine – Best Overall
- Consew 206RB-5 Industrial Sewing Machine – Most Consistent
- Juki HZL-F600 Full-sized Computer Sewing and Quilting Machine – Modern and Computerized
Why Choose an Industrial Sewing Machine?
You may be wondering why you should invest in one of these expensive sewing machines when you already have a regular sewing machine at home. If you’re serious about running a sewing business of any sort, you need the best equipment. You will probably be using your industrial sewing machine for hours on end every day of the week so you cannot use just a run-of-the-mill machine.
Consider these reasons why you should invest in an industrial sewing machine:
- They are designed to handle any type of material, whether thick, thin, heavy, or lightweight
- They are designed to work long hours each day
- They are designed to last for decades
- They are designed to stitch very quickly with some models stitching at up to 5,000 stitches per minute
- They are designed to produce reliable and consistent stitches
What Features Are the Best Industrial Sewing Machines Made of?
Hopefully, I have convinced you that you need one of these machines for your sewing business, and you should not skimp on your equipment. Now, we need to discuss how to find the best industrial sewing machines. When you begin searching online or in a store for one of these machines, keep the following features in mind:
Material
The best industrial sewing machines are built out of metal. This means they have a metal interior and exterior. A metal sewing machine reduces shaking when working at nearly 5,000 stitches per minute. It is a durable material that creates a reliable machine.
The one negative of an all-metal sewing machine is weight. This will be a heavy machine that cannot be easily moved around. Consider the trade-off, though. The reliability of a heavy machine negates any issues that weight brings.
Motor
There are two types of motors available in industrial sewing machines – servo motors and clutch motors. A clutch motor is the original type of motor that these machines included. They are built to be strong and work quickly, but they are also difficult to adjust the speed of the stitching on. Servo motors are a newer type that works just as strongly and quickly as a clutch motor, but they are designed to work fairly quietly and are easy to adjust stitching speeds on.
Speed
Since you will be using this machine for a lot of sewing projects, you will want something that can stitch quickly. However, you should also consider how comfortable you are with running a machine at 5,000 stitches per minute (stm). You can certainly practice and work your way up to that speed, but make sure you get a machine that allows you to adjust speeds until you are completely comfortable with such high speeds.
Stitching
The speed of stitching is not the only thing to consider when you look for a new sewing machine – you also want consistency and the right stitch selection.
The best way to determine stitch consistency is to read a lot of user reviews. If a particular model has a lot of reviews about how inconsistent it produces stitches, keep looking for a better option.
When it comes to stitching selection, you will need to determine what stitches you will use regularly. If you feel that you will use a variety of stitches in your work, you can get an industrial sewing machine with this option; conversely, you could get a machine that has only a straight stitch option, and then, use a regular sewing machine or embroidery machine for monograms and decorative stitching.
Type
There are two types of industrial sewing machines from which to choose. Let’s look at each in detail and compare their pros and cons. A side-by-side comparison should help you decide which type is best for your business.
Base Sewing Machine – This type of sewing machine comes with a separate table that is designed with a slot for the sewing machine to sit inside. Not only is the sewing machine made from metal, but the table is as well.
Pros
- Constructed to be stable and sturdy
Cons
- Very heavy and difficult to move
- May require professional assistance to assemble certain models
Tabletop Sewing Machine –This type of sewing machine resembles a regular sewing machine because it comes attached to a base and will need to be set on a table during use.
Pros
- Comparably lightweight and easy to move
- No need to attach the machine to the base since it is already assembled
Cons
- May not have the stability provided by a tabletop model
What Are the Best Industrial Sewing Machines on the Market?
Now that we have looked at the reasons why you should get this type of machine for your sewing business and what features make an industrial sewing machine the best, we are ready to shop. So that you don’t have to spend a lot of time browsing shops, online and in-person, I have pulled together several available models for your consideration. These recommended products were gathered using the following criteria:
- Customer Reviews & Ratings – To be included in this list, the sewing machine must have at least a 4-star customer rating. I have also taken into consideration what customers have to say about each machine and will list some of the most common compliments and complaints about each product.
- Stitch Consistency – While checking customer reviews, I will be looking for what is said about stitch consistency. Since this feature is a high priority, I will note what is mentioned in my description of each sewing machine.
- Stitch Speed – I want you to have full control of your sewing machine, so I will note the speed of stitching each machine offers, as well as, how adjustable the speed setting is.
Juki DDL-8700-H Industrial Sewing Machine
This is a 70-pound tabletop sewing machine model. It features only one stitch, the straight stitch, but it stitches very consistently. It can handle all weights of fabric without struggling and is considered a very easy-to-use sewing machine.
Customer Reviews & Ratings: As of the writing of this article, this machine has a 4.3-star customer rating. Customers are raving about how quiet and powerful this machine is.
Stitch Consistency: Customers have commented on how well this machine stitches and how easy it is to manage.
Stitch Speed: This machine has a maximum stitch speed of 5,500 spm. Stitch speed is adjustable.
Pros
- Includes sewing machine table
- Includes DC Servo Motor
- Includes an automatic lubrication system
- Includes a retractable feed dog for freehand quilting
- Built from a full metal frame
- Adjustable stitch lengths
Cons
- Professional assembly recommended
- Does not have a walking foot
Consew 206RB-5 Industrial Sewing Machine
This is a tabletop model that weighs 200 pounds when assembled. Although it can be difficult to assemble, sewists of all skill levels will find it easy to use once it is together. It only stitches straight stitches, but these are done in a consistent manner.
Customer Reviews & Ratings: As of the writing of this article, this machine has a 4.3-star customer rating. Customers encourage caution to those interested in purchasing this machine because it is very difficult to assemble.
Stitch Consistency: There are currently no comments about stitch quality.
Stitch Speed: This machine has a maximum stitch speed of 3,300 spm.
Pros
- Includes walking foot feeding
- Designed with an adjustable forward and reverse feed
- Includes an LED lamp
- Includes a bobbin winder and storage compartment
- Includes a quiet Servo motor
Cons
- Does not include instructions for assembling the table
- Not recommended for use on synthetic or knit fabrics
Juki HZL-F600 Full-sized Computer Sewing and Quilting Machine
This is a base sewing machine that is modern and computerized. It is easy to use and very versatile. Not only can you access hundreds of different stitches from its computerized dials, but you can also move it from one table to another.
Customer Reviews & Ratings: As of the writing of this article, this machine has a 4.6-star customer rating. Customers are raving about how sturdy this machine is and how well it works for all types of sewing projects, but especially for quilting.
Stitch Consistency: Customers agree that the stitches offered and performed by this machine are all great.
Stitch Speed: The maximum speed is 900 spm, and customers have commented that it works powerfully and quickly and the speed can be adjusted.
Pros
- Includes 625 different stitches
- Relatively lightweight (33.6 pounds)
- Includes an extension table for quilting
- Includes an automatic needle threading system
- Includes a knee lifter
Cons
- Some customers have had trouble using the alphanumeric stitches on this machine
Brother PQ1500SL Sewing and Quilting Machine
Customer Reviews & Ratings: As of the writing of this article, this machine has a 4.8-star customer rating. Customers are raving about how well this machine works for their projects, and they concur that it is worth the money to get.
Stitch Consistency: Customers have commented that the stitching is even no matter how fast you choose to sew.
Stitch Speed: This machine has a maximum stitch speed of 1,500 spm. Stitch speed is adjustable.
Pros
- Includes a wide work table
- Includes a drop-in bobbin
- Includes 7 sewing feet
- Includes a Pin Feed system to precisely feed through fabric no matter what thickness it is
- Includes an automatic needle threading system
Cons
- Customers have commented that it is difficult to learn how to use
- Customers have commented that it is difficult to thread unless you use your left hand
- Some customers have had issues with the tension of the thread
FAQs
Question: Do Industrial Sewing Machines Use More Power than Regular Sewing Machines?
Answer: In recent years, there have been vast improvements on how much electricity these machines required. While they used to pull a lot of wattages, they are much more moderate in what they use these days. Compared to the 75 to 150 watts per hour that a regular sewing machine averages, these are not so bad with an average of 130 to 180 watts per hour.
Question: Should Industrial Sewing Machines be Cleaned and Oiled?
Answer: Yes, these machines should be thoroughly cleaned at the end of every workday, and they should be oiled at least once a week.
Question: Where to Find Help with Assembling an Industrial Sewing Machine?
Answer: If you are struggling to assembly your tabletop sewing machine, then you should first contact the manufacturer to inquire whether they have some troubleshooting videos or documents. If they do not, the next best thing to do is search YouTube for videos on how to put together the make and model of your sewing machine. Another option is to call a local small appliance repair store and ask if they have any experience with assembling your sewing machine.
In Conclusion
Starting a new business is scary, but this labor of love can be so rewarding in the long run. I hope you can get your sewing business up and running soon and that this article has helped you find the best industrial sewing machine to meet your needs. I know I found one that I will get if I ever decide to dive into the world of sewing as a source of income. The Juki HZL-F600 Full-sized Computer Sewing and Quilting Machine is definitely the option I would buy.
Once you have your machine put together, come back and let us help you find the best thread for quilting or an embroidery machine to add to your business. Whatever crafting gear you need, Craft & Stitch is here to help you find the best.
Research Citations: