If you’ve got a sewing machine at home, chances are it’s a domestic one – a sewing machine that can do a very large number of things, albeit while running only for a few hours."
Crafteveryday Admin
What You Must Know about Industrial Sewing Machine
Industrial sewing machines are something different.
They’re highly specialized, performing only a single task – for example, sewing buttons or zigzag stitching – but they’re quiet, run for hours and hours, are almost entirely computerized in many cases, and are much larger and heavier.
Now, that might sound impractical, but if you’re looking for an industrial sewing machine then you need to understand exactly what they are, and why they’re different.
What Makes It Different from Domestic Sewing Machine
Seeking Perfection
As the name suggests, an industrial sewing machine is used in industry – this means factories, and large-scale productions.
It also means that more than one machine is used in the production of a single garment – and that each machine is built specifically for the highest possible quality, speed, and efficiency in its own task.
Think of it this way – you need different machines and needles to make leather jackets than you do to make lace panties, and you can’t really make both in the same production line.
Once these machines will be running for hours every day, for weeks and months and years, durability is an important factor as well.
A Greener Tomorrow
Since industrial sewing machines are specialized towards staying on for a long, long, long period of time alongside a large number of fellow machines, keeping things green and environmentally-friendly – by reducing power drainage and noise.
That doesn’t stop them from sewing at possible speeds of 8,500 RPM – higher than the redline of pretty much any gasoline-running engine.
Minimizing Human Input
As technology improves, humans are losing importance in the world of simple labour – in time, that’ll mean more engaging jobs, shorter work weeks, and more leisure time.
It also means more efficient and standardized results, as a large number of industrial sewing machines are operated via a few button pushes.
Versatility Over Exclusivitive
Industrial sewing machines aren’t quite as brand specific as your domestic sewing machine – if your motor or presser foot happens to kick the bucket on your Singer, you’ll have to get yourself a replacement piece from the very same brand.
That isn’t true for most industrial sewing machines – they’re generic, so parts are often interchangeable.
Industrial Is Not Necessarrily Portable
Industrial sewing machines aren’t meant to be moved around – they don’t weigh 10, 20, or even 30 pounds, rather, they’re usually attached to large surfaces, their motors running under the table separate to the machine.
Nonetheless, they’re available for the everyday customer – just, make sure you’re making good use of the machine, otherwise it would be a bit like buying a semi-truck to transport your two kids to school. Once a week.
Some Details You Should Remember
Specific features - Remember that industrial sewing machines have very specific feeds, needles, and mechanisms.
A couple types to watch for are:
- drop feeds (a feed mechanism that lies below the sewing surface, a common feed).
- needle feed (the needle acts as feed, for multiple layers of fabric).
- walking foot (a presser foot with more mobility, for spongy materials).
- puller feed (a feed that pulls material as it is sewn, even tent and canvas).
- and manual feed (a feed controlled by whomever is working the machine).
Sitch types - they are important, as well.
Industrial machines are versatile in the brand of parts they can have, but they’re quite rigid in terms of what they actually do – meaning, don’t expect the same stitching patterns you had on your domestic machine when getting yourself an industrial sewing machine.
Size - size matters. Both for your pocket and your table – and, of course, the plans you have for the machine.
Keep in mind what you actually plan to do, what kind of fabric and material you plan to work on, and what kind of stitch types you’ll be working with, and you’ll have a much better idea of just how big your dream machine will be.
The larger the machine, the faster the motor, the more stitches you’ll get done in a minute.
Finally, don’t get scammed. If you’re buying second-hand industrial sewing machines, then double-check a few things to ensure you’re not getting heavy duty domestic machines unfit for industrial work.
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