Buying used ZSK 12 head embroidery machine

tambet111 · June 4th, 2017, 05:55 PM

At the moment using single head Brother PR1050X machine 2016 year and wilcom program. Everything is new and very easy to use.

Want to buy 12 head ZSK embroidery machine. The year was something around 1990 (the owner wasent quite sure). Owner said it hasent worked for 4 years becouse previous company went out of business. Operates with floppy disk. How hard is to rebuild to use USB?
Does this old ZSK reads also files from wilcom program and how can i transfer files from computer or usb to machine? How hard it is to get spare parts?
What to look when i go buy this machine? How should i test run it and how to check mechanical parts etc? What do you recomend to me?

I have many questions put will be very thankful for any information.

Robert Young · June 5th, 2017, 10:33 AM

27 years old? if it is GIVEN to you, maybe otherwise, just walk away. walk

tambet111 · June 5th, 2017, 01:58 PM

The price is good
But the machine has not worked for 4 years (stayed in dry garage tho)and is 27 years old like you said. My question is that is there any chance i can use it in embroidery business or is it more wasting my time? What should i look for when i go see this machine?
How about finding spare parts later and if the machine fails can i sell it for spare parts (is there market for this kind of machine parts?)
Same kind of model is the machine as in this video:

Robert Young · June 5th, 2017, 02:23 PM

I am sorry, I would not waste your time and even look at it.

tambet111 · June 5th, 2017, 03:27 PM

So machine is worthless even in working condition?

Approximately how old embroidery machine 6 or 12 head do You recommend to look (for later i can order spare parts and wont break right away)
Easyest is to buy new one but 12 head ZSK brand new..... very expensive

or in long term best solution? They are also selling 2006 year 6 head brother that is far more expensive.

Is there any tips buying used embroidery machine? For example if buying a used car you can find tips on internet what to look and examine (Oil leaks, wheel bearings, etc) is there same for embroidery machines what to look certainly with extra attention?

Robert Young · June 6th, 2017, 09:21 AM

For your first large machine i would recommend something much newer with a warranty or service package like you probably have with your Brother machine? After working on that machine for normal maintenance and troubleshooting then a pre-owned is definitely the way to go to save money. But only after you know what you are doing as far as the machine goes.

I have absolutely no faith that I could find someone to work on a 27 year old ZSK! Mechanically they could but I would be spending hourly for them to figure it out. And don't even talk about the electronic side! ha.

My machines are all 2006 model SWFs and they still sew like new. We only bought them however because we already had years of experience with Tajima machines... so we felt comfortable buying the cheaper "knockoff" machine since maintenance probably would not be an issue. here we are 11 years later and no one has ever been hired to work on them.... not one time! (knock on wood or my head)

realistically it really depends on your business plan though. What are you planning on sewing, how many items per week, Is this a 1 shift machine or a 3 shift machine with weekends thrown in as well? Do you have enough work right now to warrant a machine payment or are you buying it HOPING the work will come? are you planning on being the operator or are you in a position to afford the machine and an employee all at once?

your written business plan will answer all these questions and let you know the number of heads your machine will require and I bet it will even steer you towards the age of the machine. Otherwise I guess if the time to prepare a business plan is not seen as beneficial then probably doesn't matter what ANYONE purchases.... in a year it will be an over priced clothesline or dust collector. Kinda like all those wonderful items of exercise equipment SO MANY have bought with the best intentions... .where are they now? lol

LogoAdvantage · June 22nd, 2017, 10:12 AM

I think you will find that is a flats only machine (non tubular) Most shops in the US would have almost no use for the equipment even it if was running perfectly. Its great for doing Towels or sheets but not shirts and hats. It also has the old DOS control panel and I do not think you can upgrade it but if you do it would be very expensive. Only one good tech for that machine in the USA on the electronics. Most of the others would not even know what they were looking at on a machine of that age. Most ZSK machines over 8 heads are NOT tubular machines but there are a few larger tubular machines here but not many. As a note I work on ZSK machines and have for many years and own quite a few of them myself and I would not be interested in that machine if it were free and running. Much less for sale and not been used in years. Get a newer model with a better control panel system ! Much better investment !!