Evening all.
I've recently got my hands on a quality industrial sewing machine. Its deff able to do leather, canvas, sails etc.
But I got no idea how to use it.
I'm hoping I can play around and maybe pick up some skills.
Does anybody have one or can help me out.
Looking for any sail makers or kite repairers who have experience with this stuff. I've got a pile of questions and I'm sure with more experience I will have even more. Wouldn't mind learning as much as possible. Something constructive when the wind dies, I suppose.
Anyway. Appreciate any help.
I've searched online for some help, but all PDF downloads of instructions are so blurry and poorly done that you can't actually see the diagrams. They certainly don't make it easy for the D.I.Yer. ....
I'm not expecting to build my own kite anytime soon. But it would be cool if I could do some minor repairs and modifications and stuff.
If anybody has done stuff like this then please give me a shout!
Cheers
Select to expand quoteRagzilla said..
BRAND: CONSEW
MODEL: 332R - 1
Nice. ^^^
Does it do triple-step zig-zag stitch ?
Sewing machines are very temperamental things and it would be very hard to really learn too much over the net. If it is already set up for lite weight sail work it may just be ok straight up but if not you really need to decide what you want to sew, then get the appropriate needle size and thread weight. Then play around with the foot pressure and thread tensions until it is laying down a decent stitch. If you're starting from scratch maybe get a sewing machine mechanic to set it up for you initially so as you know for a fact that it works ok and to give yourself a starting point to tinker from. Every older machine is quite different and will probably take a bit of patience to get it working nicely.
Hi
agree with Brien.
My first google came up with the company with hundreds of user/service manual.
I have bought long time back semi industrial 1972 Phaff which was a model with the 3 step zigzag which kites use
which is a must have stitch (stretchy but super strong.
If u take it to get serviced get a quote first,super expensive.
Over the top threads are Tenara brand which gives 20 year garrentee.
check out sail rite brand in USA they have heaps of videos other than that like the man said just dive in with manual and give it a go but read,read,read first.
Ive been doing all my own repairs for years even a couple of leading edge tears.
After keeping track of my time the repairers are really cheap except your kite is back in action quicker with no waiting for it to get done and post back and forth. 
Hey mate.
I do loads of sewing. I've never sewn any of my kite stuff before though. I make a lot of bags, packs and back packs, stuff like that. Yes it depends on what kind of sewing your doing but all sewing machines work the same way. Once you understand the basics you can apply it to anything.
If you have any questions just send me a msg and I'll be glad to help.. If i can =)
seeing as theres a few sailmakers in here by looks of it. how long you think a jenome mini will last stitching up kites on 4 month long kite trips. www.janome.com/en/machines/sewing/sewmini/ id imagine itd have to pay itself off relatively quickly just afraid its not upto task/breaks after 100m
