Opinons on machines please

NavyMomX2 · February 22nd, 2009, 11:33 AM

Hi everyone,
I had a storefront embroidery business many years ago, and am now looking to purchase a home embroidery machine. I've looked at several online, but I'd always like to hear what someone who actually uses a machine thinks. I'm not interested in designs, but I would like several font choices. Sewing field - well, it would be nice to have a 10 - 12" field, but I'm not sure I can get that with a little Brother, etc., "home" machine.
If you have a home machine vs a commercial one, would you please give me the pros & cons of your machine.
Thanks!

Eric · February 25th, 2009, 03:18 PM

If you want a very nice "home" machine you should look at the brother PR-600 / PR-620. It is also know as a babylock BMP6 or BMP8. They are the highest end machine you can get without going commercial grade. They are nice machines, I own 4 of them. They are easy to get started with, and you can create things the minute you take it out of the box. It has built in fonts (like 6 or 8 I think) and the largest sew field (hoop) is 200mm x 300mm or roughly 8" x 11.5"

Now for the tough one, Commercial grade machines:
A good rule is to stay Japanese made. That means basically Barudan or Tajima. They are the big boys in the industry. Barudan is the most expensive, but in my opinion worth every penny. I own a 6 head and it is incredible!

Tajima is still a very good machine, but in my opinion, it "ain't what it used to be" I have a newer 2 head, and an older 4 head. The older model machines seem to be a little more substantial. However, they will still never do you wrong.

SWF is Korean made, probably 3rd in the industry behind Barudan and Tajima. I have a hard time staying un-biased here, I have not had pleasant experiences with them, and have a very bad taste from their support. However, people who have them, seem to rave about them, I just can't say that.

ZSK is german made, nice machines, but expensive and over engineered. If something goes wrong, it will be a fortune to fix.

Melco is garbage, it is mostly plastic, and chinese made. However they are "assembled" in the USA. They are not US made like they often times like to claim.

Occasionally you will run into a commercial Happy.... Happy = Sad. They are in the same league as melco.

I would suggest you buy from a dealer or manufacturer. You will pay more, but they will include all kinds of training and or software to get you started, but thats up to you since you have some embroidery experience from years past. Once you have a comfortable grasp and know your machine, then buy one on the used market if you find the need for a bigger or second machine.

With the economy in the gutter, you can get some great deals.
Don't be shy! Make them fight for your business!
Buying commercial machines is like buying a car, beware of sales tactics.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Embroidery is my life. I'm always around.

-- Eric

shirtprints · February 25th, 2009, 08:23 PM

Gotta disagree with Eric on 1 point. I do not consider Melco machines as junk. The newer Amaya's, maybe, even my Melco technician has told be to stay away from them. But I've been doing embroidery for 20 years, I own 3 single heads and a 4-head, they run 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. I have the tech come in once a year and check them out (at a cost of about $350) and we never have any problems. I also have a 6-head ZSK which is a workhorse, the only problem is the Melco is so user friendly, no one wants to use the ZSK. But I have had it for 8 years, never a problem with it either. While I will no disagree with most of the points Eric makes, to say Melco is "garbage", I'm not sure where his experience leads him to say that.

Eric · February 25th, 2009, 09:52 PM

Let me correct that point ... Yes, the older melco's are decent. I bought a new Amaya about 8 months ago, for the sequin feature, and just to tinker with. I had 2 machines in a row delivered DOA (dead on arrival) they both had blown mainboards. That made me panic, I never gave them the 3rd time the charm option.

dangig · February 26th, 2009, 02:00 PM

stand at correction the amaya is garbage pure absolute garbage i owned 4 of them.. terrible.
my boards blew as well. the older melco's were descent but not a tajiima or a barudan. nothing will compare to those machines. Nothing!! stick with those two brands and you'll be fine. the newer tajimas are not like the old ones. The good era of tajiima was late 95 to 01.
01's are good. but try to aim for a 2000 or 99 those were perfect!