Industrial Sewing Machine: My Experience

In this video, I share my experience using the industrial sewing machine for home sewing. After using various domestic sewing machines for years, I was amazed by the difference in performance and control of the industrial one. From its powerful motor to its ease of use, I was blown away by the capabilities of this machine. Watch my full review and hear about my experiences firsthand.

Industrial sewing machine I'm using is Jack A2. Domestic sewing machine I'm using is Singer Heavy Duty 4423.

VIDEO PARTS:
00:00 Intro
00:48 Why I chose the industrial sewing machine
05:38 Features of industrial sewing machine
10:51 Things to consider before getting the industrial sewing machine
13:29 Extra items I bought for my sewing machine
15:20 Could you make an industrial machine work in a small setting?
16:25 Do you have a variety of presser feet?
17:28 Can you make professional looking clothing on a domestic machine?
18:42 What needle types can be used with industrial sewing machine?
20:04 Are industrial sewing machines excellent for stretchy fabrics/knit?
20:29 In what way does it do more/better then high quality domestic sewing machine?
21:54 What do you use for zig-zag?
22:59 How often do you need any other stitch than straight stitch?
24:29 How does noise/vibration compare to domestic?
25:00 Thoughts on getting an industrial used?
26:49 Is it difficult to give maintenance to an industrial?
28:09 Where did you get that light for industrial machine?
28:37 Can you sew any materials?
29:07 What do you think about Jack vs Juki?

Music | "Coffee" by LiQWYD

[margaretderen]

You are exactly right about the “feeling of control.” I tried for years to get a consistent 1/4” quilter’s seam on a very expensive domestic machine and it was very frustrating. I can only describe it as feeling “squishy” - that the machine has a mind of it’s own. I was talked into buying an industrial machine (Baby Lock - similar to the Juki) and nailed a perfect 1/4” seam the first time and every time since then for 15 years. It does what I tell it to do - not what a computer decides. I love my industrial and will never go back to straight stitching on a computerized machine.

[grinninggoat]

I have an industrial. One of the worries I had was being able to find the oil in my local area when I needed to change it once or twice a year.
I know there are more expensive synthetic oils with additives made for industrial sewing machines out there but I don't used my indutrial in an industrial manner to warrant the extra expense of higher heat tolerances and 3 or 4 shifts of workers sitting at it every day. So, I looked at the cheaper non-synthetic industrial sewing machine oils and their MSDS safety sheets and found, to my surprise, most of them are listed as 100% Thin Mineral Oil, food grade. I can buy that by the gallon jug at my local farm supply store where it is cheaply sold as a "livestock and large animal laxative"! 😂😂😂 it works just fine in my industrial machine without any problems or increased wear on my parts.

I guess I can report to you that my machine has had "regular movements" thanks to the livestock laxative it uses. 😮😅😊

[CanusDirusx]

I love having an industrial machine so much it just marches right through things that a home sewing machine struggles with. I also love how slow an industrial machine will go. I’m not a professional so to get good results I need to be able to go slow. My industrial machine does that beautifully.

[Braisin-Raisin]

I just checked: the Jack A2 costs around € 800 plus about € 100 for shipping. this includes the table. A wonderful, informative video.

[eveleenchan]

Just bought a Jack A2b too, very affordable and nice and powerful. No reason to pay more for the same thing.

[stevel]

Very informative video! It would be interesting to see a comparison between a vintage all metal straight stitch machine and an industrial machine. I've heard that they are much better than modern plastic machines. The Singer 201 is considered by some collectors to be the finest domestic sewing machine ever made.

[Shrinkingviolett]

I love my Juki. I got so spoiled in fashion Design school, and have seen 35 years. But I really am interested in your school. Where does one find a technical sewing skills school vs fashion design school. Domestic machines just are not quite the same unless you go beyond mid level domestic sewing machines. That said, the high end Juki Domestic machines are amazing. Never buy a sewing machine from Walmart or a department store. Get one from a dealer.

[valeriemaitre]

Thanks Julie, you made it so clear. No doubt, I’ll have such a beauty soon or late. 🤩🍒🇨🇭

[ellie]

I have had both industrial and domestic sewing machine. I bought my domestic machine first and after a few years bought industrial sewing machine. I regretted buying the industrial because I hate that it took up a lot of space and dominated the room. I am too space conscious and get overwhelmed by clutter and items that take up space. I sold my industrial after having it for 1 year. I think anyone considering buying industrial should consider the space the machine would take up.

[johannvanniekerk]

Thank you for this very insightful video, Julija! You have a gift for presenting information in a clear and thoughtful way.=

[weekenddistractions]

I agree that industrial machines rock. I have an old Juki 563. I don't do clothes (save a little repair now and then), but do bags, packs, etc. If I had to get another machine, it would be a post-bed unit with a slide-in flat table. It's more versatile and can get at things that a dedicated flat-bed machine just can't.

[manarhelaly]

Thanks very much
Actually i recently bought an industrial sewing machine i didn't receive it yet
Its brand is "brother "
It is used machine
Its price 500 $CA
I have one domestic sewing machine its brand is singer i bought it since 10 years ago
When i find your video i was very happy because through your video you emphasize my idea
And i will keep the two in shaa Allah

[mariasilva-tozi]

I have jack A5e and is the most wonderful present I gave to myself.

[kulettee]

Hobbyist here who have decided to get an industrial machine. Price was one of the reasons I decided to get one. I was eyeing on a semi-industrial machine. I am from the Philippines and getting one would cost me $800 minimum + custom fees. With the industrial sewing machine I got locally ( Juki DDL 8100e), I paid 23, 000 pesos (a little over $400 USD) that includes shipping and servo motor. I didn't see any downside with my domestic machine until I upgraded. I didn't worry about the machine eating the fabric from time to time and the vibration it makes. But the moment I switched, these things have stared to bother me and was able to justify my purchase of an industrial machine.

[melenelewis]

I bought a walking foot medium to heavy weight industrial machine ....absolutely love it even though I haven't done much sewing on it yet ...but I had to buy a servo motor because I found that it was too difficult for me to control as the speed was so fast ( I'm a newby with this but hope that I can eventually put the original motor back on when I have managed to get to know the machine better) . The servo motor has made it a bit easier to sew with. Thanks for your Super helpful sewing videos. Watching you from Johannesburg South Africa.😊

[india]

Something else to consider is oiling. Some machines have various points that you have to manually oil every day, sometimes more than once. Some machines also have an open oil system, where under the table is a container with a pool of oil with various wicks sit in. Some machines have a closed unit, that you top up infrequent, y and you don’t have to manually oil any parts of the machine.

[martacz.]

Couldn't agree more with everything you said. Let me add one thing considering buying the second hand industrial: if there is possibility to check the machine, if it has the auto thread cutter, if it's not 40 or 30 years old - I'd consider buying. Once I heard that industrial machines are made to work 24/7 for about 30 years... If a machine is 10 years old, it should serve well for at least 10 more. I LOVE mine (bought second-hand ;) )

[TerrydeAlaska]

I love your video and explanations! I have a Singer Heavy Duty domestic machine and want a machine to sew thicker fabrics. I've demoed the juki 1541 industrial machine and it just purrs. I've been told that this industrial machine doesn't work well with light fabrics like cotton and will bunch up and pucker and not to buy one for that reason. I'd love to see you do a demonstration of sewing light fabrics on your industrial machine.

[rhineslamprecht]

Thank you so much for such an informative video. My A2 is on its way😊😊😊. Looking forward to many more videos on these machines.

[liekie]

I can feel your frustration about the domestic machine. Originally I am also a trained seamstress (even though I never worked as a seamstress) and after finishing college I didn't feel like sewing at home, since I felt with my Singer sewing machine it was not possible to sew anymore. I wasn't able to sew straight seams: the presser foot was wiggling around (it was a click-on foot) and the machine almost jumped from the table when sewing. So after I graduated I didn't make any garments at all and very ocasionally I used my sewing machine to repair something or make a store bought garment wider or smaller.
Until 2020 when I got my high-end Bernina, which is a heavy machine. Since then I am a happy sewing bee, allthough so far I mainly made quilts :D