Is The Sailrite Ultrafeed Better Than The Look-A-Likes?

Hi!

This video is essentially a lecture, and is largely made up of my opinion.

For years, I've been asked my opinion on the many "knock-off," "variant," or "copies" of the Sailrite Ultrafeed. I recently found one for sale at a local thrift store, so I took the plunge and bought it to see how it compared.

The content of this video is my opinion, and is not intended to reflect the opinions of Sailrite or any other person, company or entity. While I have tried to differentiate my opinion from any solid facts, I have a solid bias on this subject, and may inadvertently focus on facts that support that bias. If you think I've gotten this wrong, I welcome your correction, but I would prefer to hear opinions that are backed by some evidence.

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Thanks for watching!

[jakejohnson]

I've had several machines from all major brands and they have all broken down after moderate use within 2 years. I got a sailrite about a year ago and I just know it's going to last me a lifetime. There is nothing it can't sew through and it was designed in a way that will never go out of date.

[stopthephilosophicalzombie]

My Thompson is still running. It appears to have high quality machining and assembly.

[colemine]

I just picked up a used knock off. It was sold under the Tuff Sew brand. I am apparently the third owner at this point. The man sold his boat and didn't need it anymore. It had served repairing sails on two other boats so I knew it was up to snuff for my needs. I am not going to use it for sailing but for building back pack sort of things. I did try to find a used sailrite but there just wasn't anything around. This was the only machine of this build type available. I paid 250 for it and I am happy with the performance so far. If I find myself using it more than I imagined I will upgrade to the real deal. Until then, I am thinking of painting it because that blue on the sailrite machines really has my eye. I am considering adding a cheap servo motor to it, similar to the one you had added to one of your machines or get the sailrite workerB motor to keep it portable (on the fence which way to go). All sailrite parts fit on it so I can invest in upgrade parts and they will all transfer over when I get a new shinny sailrite of my own. I've enjoyed your youtube work.

[documetricsinc.]

The real question is "Is the Sailrite machine worth THAT much more?" Are the sewing experience, reliability and results that different? Can you tell the difference in the stitches in the end product? If you can afford a Sailrite machine, perhaps you should compare that to Juki, Consew or Pfaff, perhaps Yamata, machines.

[bbrachman]

Jason. I have been watching your videos for years. I have seen your opinion evolve during that time concerning the Sailrite machines. You did not wake up one day and say, I feel this way. An evolution. If I was going to buy a portable walking foot machine, I would buy the Sailrite with the Worker B motor. No questions asked. I mainly work with leather. (I still need to see more demos on sewing leather to be absolutely convinced) I do not do enough leather work to justify a new machine. (yet) But, if there comes a time when I need the extra speed and quality, then I will pull the trigger on the Sailrite. Your opinion means a lot to me. As a hands on 'sewer', that is why I regard your opinions as very valid. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for your time.

[LandLockedND]

Well said Jason! Sailrite as a company is fantastic. Their service & support for the products they sell are unparalleled by anyone else in the USA for sewing projects. I am extremely happy with my LSZ machine, hot knife, staplers and snap tool, etc. just need the worker bee motor now. Keep up the good work. Thank you!

[moosepasshippie]

I owned a Consew CP206RL. The case was crap. The instuctions looked like a copy of a copy. There is absolutely no help from Consew with the function of the machine.
Owning a CLSP machine made me learn the basics of sewing machine function and repair. Between the owning a CLSP and Youtube I was able to get it tuned and functioning properly. After 2 years I sold it and purchased a used Sailrite LZ recently. The Worker B motor is light years ahead of the standard motor, forward reverse knob function, and case are worth the cost. Plus, if I have a problem I can call Sailrite and get the problem resolved and they have the parts to repair it.

[SBO]

Useful info and opinions. Same reason I only drive Toyotas and Hondas vs Hundai and Kia. I can't justify the new cost but I'll keep looking for a nice used Sailrite while continueing to advance my skills on my trusty old Singer.

[louparsons]

I own four industrial machines; a Juki DDL-8700, Juki DU-1181n, Chikon CK-8BL a SunStar cylinder-arm machine that could be the twin of the one in the background of Jason's intro, and I have a Sailrite LSZ with all the doo-dads, including the WorkerB motor kit that is still waiting to be installed. And a mid-70s Sears Kenmore free-arm. All of them get exercised regularly, and, every once in a while, they actually generate a return on my investment.

The LSZ is a great machine for what it is intended to do. It is not meant to do the same work, at the same speed, nor for as long as a machine such as a Fabricator, a 206 RB, or a 1541. Nor are any of those machines capable of a zig-zag stitch, and they are not in any imaginable sense portable.

To attempt to compare their respective abilities is a disservice to the machine and to Sailrite.

Thanks to Jason for another good video, best wishes to you and yours,

YMMV YVR

[pmgear]

I had an exact copy of the sailrite lz1, as well as the a real sailrite lz1, and the difference is in the tolerances and the motor. The knock off would sew but missed stitches and was very difficult to control the speed on it, it was all or nothing speedwise. I upgraded it with a bunch och parts from sailrite and that made it better but if you can, get a sailrite, makes the sewing process much more enjoyable

[fjerik]

I would have loved to see you compare the Thompson zigzag you purchased from me with the Sailrite. I think that would have been a more apples to apples comparison. It was a good quality machine that served me well. I didn't have a need for a portable machine and for less than the sailrite I purchased a Juki 1541 with table. I do agree that sailrite provides a service to the sewing community through support and how-to videos, but it comes at a premium if you purchase any of their products. Smart marketing on their part.

[glpeacock]

I bought a Yamata version and sold it because it was junk then I bought a new REX and it was no better. Sold the REX and purchased my LSZ1. What a difference in operation, fit, finish, and Parts availability! No question in my mind the Sailrite is the better machine. A little pricey but worth the extra cost. Any other high quality sewing machine will cost much more than the big box store brands.

[chucklenz]

I own a Sailrite Fabricator, and I love it...I've sewn edgeing on 1/4 inch plywood (with the proper #21 needle and it handled it quite well) I had purchased an Omega walking foot prior and it is terrible when compared with the Fabricator. If I could go back I would have purchased a Sailrite portable, but I cant so im stuck with this boat anchor.
.

[Ctyworker]

Your right! Their customer service is why I buy their stuff! I own a boat and I just like to repair my own canvas. So I bought their machine. When I call they tell me what to buy and what to do! And it’s been working out perfectly.
I get a kick out of these people that buy the knock offs and try to adapt Sailrite parts on them ! 😂🤣 this one guy bought the big balance wheel and had to use a giant pair of channel locks to tighten the thumb screw to get it to sew!! 😂😅

[caduceus]

After 10:47 worth of conversation, I decided I was not getting the comparison I had hoped to get. Only then did I see your comment of this being essentially a lecture, not something I really want or need!

[seb]

Great video. In my endless search for my first heavy duty machine, a lot of these knockoffs pop up. No thanks! LSZ-1, fabricator or Juki 1541s are my top 3 contenders. Really like the channel!

[RealGrubert]

I have an Ultrafeed. Great machine, but Sailrite is an awesome company for support, project material, and information. Very happy with my purchase.

[louparsons]

I now have the WorkerB motor installed on my LSZ w/Monster wheel. After a lifetime of fixing other people's stuff for money I think Sailrite did an absolutely excellent job on designing and (honestly) packaging the WorkerB upgrade. They include all the new bits you're going to need, I didn't re-use anything other than the primary belt. Decent quality power cord. My only gripe, and not limited to Sailrite, is the vertical adjustment of the final drive belt tension. I substituted appropriate hex capscrews for the motor/controller mount, way easier to install and service. But considering the fairly serious currency exchange (currently $1 USD = $1.28 Cdn) rate I'm still glad I purchased the WorkerB upgrade. And it does do really slow stitching. YVR

[eross]

so I don’t have a need for zig zag stitching that I can think of. so I’m trying to decide between the ls1 and Lz1. the needle offset feature is what i am curious about. do you use it very often? is it work getting?

[OnRappel]

How often do you use zig zag stich? I was thinking I probably don't need the LZS because I can't imagine a lot of instances where I would zig zag with a heave machine like that.