Perhaps a bit OT. Straight stitching only. These days, all you do is unwrap it (after unbolting it from the pallet). A co-worker used to call it the pickle foot because it kinda looks like a pickle fork–at least the long toe. I would say the difference in mechanical reliability and maintenance is minimal. I don’t recommend the smaller portable walking foot machines unless you really need the portability. Is that perhaps what people mean when they use the term “compound feed” or “unison feed”? First, let’s clear up any misconception you may have about a real walking foot sewing machine. And used machines? You can also find used and second-hand machines with a long life still left in them. Although, you can buy an attachment that will mount onto a domestic machine, just like you might mount a buttonholer. A walking foot machine is built for industrial use. Suspended Headliners, Molded Headliners & Sun Visors. You said you set the MOTOR for thread trimming. They’re so cheap you can practically get them free if you know where to look. Thanks for the demo of your new machine. [DH is setting up to shoot some videos here and I’m just killing time till he’s ready for me]. Everything from slippery light dress weights to piled fabrics (velvet, why I got it) and even garment weight leathers (walking foot machines used to sew heavier leathers are also needle feeds). Is there a price difference? Unison feed is similar and probably more often used in one area over another but still, “compound” is intended. My table saw doesn’t have a 20 amp requirement! I had a friend who swore by these, all of his were needle feeds. -The ability to climb over differences in thicknesses without getting stuck. I am an on-set tailor and need to carry my machine to every job, I’m sure it would make my job that much easier!!! Here are some things to look for when purchasing a walking foot machine: Be sure it’s a real walking foot machine. By the way all 2 needle machines are Needle feed machines. Oh, one last word and that is power. I ran the machine as slowly as possible so those who fear the runaway speed of industrial machines can realize their fears are for naught. It would be interesting to see it do a big zig-zag … the needle must really travel a lot, is there much vibration when sewing at high speed since it has 3-axis movement. But we saw a great pocket welting machine at SPESA in 2007 that I think was $6,500. When I used to sew B’way costumes for a living we used a velvet foot to sewing napped fabrics–which is shaped like a V if you look at it from the front. It means the needle doesn’t just go up and down like all sewing machines, or left to right like zig-zag sewing machines, but also forward to rearward. The athletic knit mesh fabric is AirKnit, though I don’t know if this is a tradename or if it is a fabric name. Kathleen started production patternmaking in 1981. Machine speed Benefits of a needle feed machine -Walking foot machines are a staple in the upholstery industry. It’s at least ten years older than the needle feed. The manual should also tell you about some basic adjustments and maintenance procedures for your machine. The other is a normal machine in which the needle only moves up and down. Drop feed mechanism – The drop feed mechanism is commonly found in domestic sewing machines and a majority of industrial sewing machines. Dave K, the mechanical difference between needle feed and bottom/drop feed (the “usual”) machines is fairly modest. Kathleen writes nearly all of the articles on Fashion-Incubator.com and hosts its forum, the largest private online community for apparel manufacturers on the web. I could look it up but I’m too lazy right now. Something made me wonder why one wouldn’t simply purchase a needle-feed instead of a regular feed. 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