The problem is that around here the "rag trade" moved to China and took
their machines with them. The closest true industrial zigzags I have found
are in North Carolina and they are asking $800+. Also they are not very
portable. The "industrial" machines on eBay are a joke.

Talking to the few sewing machine shops around here and the alterations lady
at my dry cleaners they all say that a "commercial" machine will be my best
bet. Commercial models don't have a all the fancy stitches but they are
much more heavily built than the biggest home machine and have more powerful
motors. The CG-550 is labeled 1.8 amps and the biggest home machine in the
shop was only 1.3 amps. The sailrite is 1.5 amps.

I will keep looking but for $250 this thing looks mighty attractive.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
nk.net...
Glenn Ashmore wrote:

SWMBO will not let me close to her sewing machine so I am pretty
ignorant on the subject. I need a machine for making cockpit
cushions, canvas items around the boat and minor sail repairs. I know
I need zigzag, enough power to make it through 5 or 6 layers of
Sunbrella and maybe a walking foot but that's about it. Looked at the
Sailrite zigzag machines but they start at $600.

snip

Talk to people in the "rag trade".

You want an older industrial type machine.

There are only about 3-4 that qualify.

Lew