Question about blind stitch sewing machine for neoprene

[marcho]

Do you mind letting me know what kind of machine you have that works? We are looking at finding one that works. We tried the cheap one from Amazon and it does not work with 5mm neoprene.

For anyone else curious, the REX or Consew from Amazon for around $300 will not work for making wetsuits.

Hi pizzajohn, I was almost buying one of those cheap machines.
Could you explain with some detail why they will not work? on Amazon the description explicitly mentions wetsuits.
Thanks!

 

[JP_SCUBA]

Hi pizzajohn, I was almost buying one of those cheap machines.
Could you explain with some detail why they will not work? on Amazon the description explicitly mentions wetsuits.
Thanks!

marcho ... I wouldn't waste your money on a new "Amazon" machine. Most all of the newer ones have plastic gears and don't hold up very well if you do anything more than sew dresses and shirts. Pick up an older machine that has all metal gears and at least a 0.8 amp motor The higher the amp rating the more power it has. Mine have at least 1.0 amp motors. The big thing is you need to use a "Walking Foot" that mechanically advances the neoprene so it doesn't stretch or bunch up. A "Roller Foot" will work but you have to be careful with the foot pressure so it feeds smoothly. I prefer the "Walking Foot". Lots of good older machines available on eBay and Craigslist but you check with your local Sewing Shops and see what have available. A lot of these shops take older machines in trade on newer ones. Others may have different advise but that's just my $0.02 worth ... Good Luck ... JP ...

 

[marcho]

Thanks! Makes a lot of sense.
I am now based in Europe (Austria), which means I have to check what's available here. But I think your advice of asking Sewing Shops is the right way. They could and will also provide advice and support.
When I was living in Southern Italy I used to go diving 3-4 times a week all year long and I used to make my own suits: I glued the neoprene and hand stitched it but it took me months to complete a suit, mostly because of the very slow hand stitching. Now I am older and want to save some time.

 

[pizzajohn]

Hi pizzajohn, I was almost buying one of those cheap machines.
Could you explain with some detail why they will not work? on Amazon the description explicitly mentions wetsuits.
Thanks!

JP_SCUBA nailed it. We ended up buying a bigger machine for our needs. We got the Foxsew blind stitch machine and are happy with it. It was complicated to setup and has a big learning curve, but once you get it, the results are good. After import taxes, etc, we paid $3800 for it.

Blind Stitch Sewing Machine for Neoprene Wetsuit Manufacturer

Specialized Blind Stitch Sewing Machine for Neoprene Wetsuit manufacturer in China, our Blind Stitch Sewing Machine for Neoprene Wetsuit products are popular all over the world with high quality,fast delivery and efficient service.

www.foxsew.com

 

[JP_SCUBA]

JP_SCUBA nailed it. We ended up buying a bigger machine for our needs. We got the Foxsew blind stitch machine and are happy with it. It was complicated to setup and has a big learning curve, but once you get it, the results are good. After import taxes, etc, we paid $3800 for it.

Blind Stitch Sewing Machine for Neoprene Wetsuit Manufacturer

Specialized Blind Stitch Sewing Machine for Neoprene Wetsuit manufacturer in China, our Blind Stitch Sewing Machine for Neoprene Wetsuit products are popular all over the world with high quality,fast delivery and efficient service.

www.foxsew.com

Thanks pizzajohn ... Those Foxsew machines are great machines. I've got a NECCHI Super Nova from the 1960's, Italian made, 1.2 amp motor and it takes everything I throw at it. The presser foot fits the thickness of 6 quarters under it when fully lifted. It's a nice machine and is very smooth. Anyway, Thanks.... JP ...

 

[PR_SMITH]

Our local wetsuit repair uses a Bonis machine for blind stiches.

 

[saddle04]

For anyone buying looking at buying a machine, I have more info here...

We ended up buying the Top Eagle Blind Stitch Machine (TBS-1430) and so far are super happy with it. We have made two wetsuits with it so far and there was a huge learning curve, but once we figured it out, we are getting pretty stitches and all is well. We paid about $2700 for the machine including shipping to Hawaii plus $600 in import duties so it was not cheap!

We are sewing 5mm open cell for free dive suits (that we use for scuba). Next project is a couple surf suits.

Do you know if there is a video guide or manual for assembly of this machine? The 1 that came with it does not help and the factory didn’t have anything.

 

[pizzajohn]

Do you know if there is a video guide or manual for assembly of this machine? The 1 that came with it does not help and the factory didn’t have anything.

There was not a video. If you still need help, send me a PM and I will get in contact with you.

 

[iain/hsm]

In Europe most of the the quality brand manufacturers and sub contractors use the Strobel 142-20 or the model 132-30. Second hand they go for about £2500
You get a full 40 page manual with exploded parts drawings and parts list
Spares available from Germany.

Always bests to get a professional industrial sewing machine engineer to install and more importantly to set the machine up for you as its well worth paying an expert to set the machine. Doing it your self out of the box straight out of some back street China sweat shop from Amazon? good luck with that.

https://globalsew.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/14123-Operating-instr.pdf

https://www.szwalnicze.com/cat_strobel/strobel_142-30-5.pdf