Sewing machine, does it make sense to buy used?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will get better quality used and possibly free or very cheap than whatever you can get for 200 dollars off Amazon. Lots of people upgrade to a better machine and just want to be rid of the old one without being wasteful-- they're not looking to get rich off of it.

This.

[Anonymous]

Let your teen do what they want with this. This is so weird and controlling. If it doesn't work out, it's for a hobby. Just set a limit on when you are available to drive them and how far you're willing to drive. They pay for it any any repairs themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not buy used as often they need serviced or repaired and its costly. Buy a $200 one.

This is my reasoning too! -OP

That resoning is very incorrect.

Get an older model used machine for $100.00 +/- on ebay, facebook or a thrift store.

It will be far superior than anything you buy new, not just superior to the cheap machines but superior to the expensive digital machines.

The older machines are very simple mechanically. Most maintenance can be done by anyone with a modicum of competence. Get the intitial servicing professionally done so the timing of the machine is correct and tge belts are in good shape. After that, your sone should be able to clean and maintain it on his own for years before it will require a second servicing.

The new machines are pure junk.

Your son is correct. He wants an older model used machine, not a new machine.

You will be throwing away your money if you spend $200.00 on a new machine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It makes much more sense to buy used or pick up a free one. Older ones are much better made. I started using my mom's 1970s model when I was about 9 years old. Its not rocket science. Cheap Amazon ones are harder to use and more likely to break.
And I am glad your teen cares about the environment enough to avoid buying more plastic junk from China.
Not sure about the hassle factor - but let your teen do the arranging and make sure it's at a time convenient to you. I have found that most people are decent and just trying to rehome their used items.

+1. I’d never buy a new sewing machine. The older ones are so much better.

[Anonymous]

I’m sitting on three great machines.

[Anonymous]

I would buy a new or used one from the last 4 years or so.

Think of it like a car. A 25 year old car does not have the features of a new car so therefore harder and not as fun to use.

The key to sewing is practice. If it's hard to use they won't use it as much and then it will collect dust. Plus they will likely use youtube a lot to learn and not many tutorials are on old machines.

I sew with a 25+ year old machine because I learned how on that machine. I bet a newer one would be easier to thread! lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes.

That is the best way to purchase a sewing machine.

Look for an older model made in the USA or Japan, mid 90s or earlier, back when the important parts were still metal, not plastic. Avoid made in china from the 90s on. Those are full of cheap plastic and will break if he uses it often or on heavy duty stuff.

Get something simple, with straight, zigzag, stretch and blind hem. Don't waste money on fancy decorative stitches or a computer screen. He won't use or need 90% of the fancy stitches. Get a basic dial to switch stitches. If there is accommodation for a double needle (2 thread holders on top) that is a bonus.

Avoid singers, especially singers from the 90s on. 80s or earlier singers are fine. White brand is a solid, well made machine, as are any sewing machines used in home ec in the 80s or earlier.

Make sure it has a front loading metal bobbin. Don't waste money on a machine with a plastic drop in bobbin. Those tangle and break.

With the metal front loading bobbins, he can easily take apart the mechanism and clean it between uses.

Avoid the self threading machines. Get one where all the threading mechanisms are visible and accessible when you open the door.

You should be able to find a high quality older machine on ebay for $100.00 ish. Getting it cleaned and serviced, if necessary, should be less than $100.00. But it might not need that done, even if it is old.

My mother is a professional seamstress and also used to sell high-end machines. The above is excellent advice.

[Anonymous]

I bought a used Bernina twenty years ago at G Street, and it's still going strong. I take it in for servicing/oiling once in a while, but otherwise it's been great. If you do get a used machine, you might want to get it serviced, but you'll still save a lot of money vs. buying new.

[Anonymous]

I would try to pick up an older one locally. The older ones are really heavy due to the metal and will cost a lot to ship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not buy used as often they need serviced or repaired and its costly. Buy a $200 one.

I totally disagree.

The older ones are often bare used, and far superior quality to the newer machines.

-Professional designer and lifelong sewist

I had a really nice sewing machine. I just gave it away. I had the best of intentions. It was in great shape. Don't waste your money on a new one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would buy a new or used one from the last 4 years or so.

Think of it like a car. A 25 year old car does not have the features of a new car so therefore harder and not as fun to use.

The key to sewing is practice. If it's hard to use they won't use it as much and then it will collect dust. Plus they will likely use youtube a lot to learn and not many tutorials are on old machines.

I sew with a 25+ year old machine because I learned how on that machine. I bet a newer one would be easier to thread! lol

It is not at all like buying a car.

The old ones, even used, are quite superior to the new ones, mechanically and structurally. They are sturdier, simpler and more reliable. Very few sewers need the majority of stitches on the newer machines, and they don't need the computer stuff unless they are doing digital embroidery.

The new ones are poorly constructed, have cheap plastic parts in stress points, and require more maintenance. The threading mechanism is completely inaccessible unless you take the machine apart. The auto tension feature is NOT helpful (manually adjusting tension is far superior The drop in bobbins are plastic, and the mechanism to fix tangles or adjust bobbin tension is completely inaccessible. With the old models, the bobbin casing is metal and very simple to take apart to clean, adjust, fix tangles, or replace parts.

A better analogy would be washing machines.

The old sewing machines are like your grandma's 50 year old baby poo colored Maytag that is no frills but has never needed maintenance except maybe opening the back and DIYing a belt replacement every decade or so for $20.00, works like a dream, and cleans everything,

VS

The new sewing machines are like your expensive front loading energy efficient washer that looks and sounds pretty, but stinks if you don't take it apart and clean the seals regularly, doesn't a actually clean, leaves behind stains and smells on the clothing, requires an expensive repairman to deal with any issues, and when the mother board breaks, the repair costs twice as much as the cost of the machine so it's better to throw it out and get a new one.

[Anonymous]

My thoughts exactly! I am using the sewing machine that was my mother's sweet 16 present (my mom is in her 80s). It works great. The new machines are garbage

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let your teen do what they want with this. This is so weird and controlling. If it doesn't work out, it's for a hobby. Just set a limit on when you are available to drive them and how far you're willing to drive. They pay for it any any repairs themselves.

I am ok paying for it. What I don’t want to waste is time. But I guess it’s inevitable.
I told him he should find one he likes and I’ll drive him. I guess it’s like one more practice or outing with friends. I’ll have to resign to it.

[Anonymous]

Ok thank you everyone, I have two ppl I know who are giving away sewing machines so I’ll take them up on it first.
If it doesn’t work out I’ll ask DS to show me which one he wants to buy and I’ll drive and pay but he’ll have to test out the machine. I hope we don’t get scammed lol.
-OP

[Anonymous]

I hope it works out well for you and your son. Honestly the vintage sewing machine people are one of the most wholesome communities on Facebook. They help people restore their machines all of the time.

There are lots of youtube videos available about servicing too. If your son wants to sew heavier fabrics like denim then you might really need an older machine as they tend to be a bit more heavy duty.

I also have my grandmothers 1940s Singer and it still works like a dream.