northbear
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Date: 12/9/11 4:07 PM Hello all,
Hope you all can help me out. I am looking to buy a used serger for my wife for Christmas. She has not used a serger herself but has said she would like one. I have an idea of what to get and look for but thought you guys / gals might be able to help.
The local sewing shop has several used sergers they have from trade-ins all costing between $100 - $140. Based on the discussion with the gal there I have narrowed it down to a couple of models:
BabyLock BK4-428
BabyLock BL90
BabyLock BL400
They also had a Brother Lock 1034D and White SpeedyLock 1634 and several others in rougher shape but my wife already has a BabyLock sewing machine which she loves so I lean towards the first three listed.
The shop was very good in that the price includes a tuneup / cleaning and a beginner serger classes and if my wife decides she wanted a different model they would take it back for an exchange.
My thought is to go with the BL400 or maybe the BL90 as these are a bit newer and have differential feed.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
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Rosews13
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CA USA
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Date: 12/9/11 8:38 PM Just bumpin' this up for a nice Hubby. Can't advise, don't know those machines. |
LaurenEmme
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CA USA
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Date: 12/9/11 8:46 PM The only one of those that I've owned is the Brother 1034D. It was my first serger and I really loved it, especially for the price. I only used it to finish seams, so I can't speak to how it performs with other features, but its seams were hard to distinguish from the seams of my BabyLock Imagine. Nice machine, easy to use. I had it threaded and was using it within 20 minutes of getting it out of the box. ------
Bernina 330
BabyLock Ellure Plus BLR3
BabyLock Imagine |
northbear
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Date: 12/9/11 9:23 PM Thanks for the responses. I should mention that I did look on this site(and others) for reviews and only have found one for the BL 400
http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Review/1/2584
Which was positive, so one mark in favor of the BL 400!
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Betakin
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AZ USA
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In reply to northbear
Date: 12/9/11 9:49 PM Sorry, double post..hit send before I was done finished typing lol
-- Edited on 12/9/11 10:00 PM -- |
Betakin
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In reply to northbear
Date: 12/9/11 9:58 PM I am familiar with some of the older BL models and think you are correct about the 4428 not having DF and to me that is a very needed feature. This is a much older model but a good one made in Japan. My dealer says they just do not make them like those anymore. I used to own an older Babylock model but newer than the 4428 and mine was one of the first with DF and it was a terrific serger.
Many that own the Brother model seem to love it. I am unsure if the Brother does a 2 thread stitch though where the BL 4428 might do a 2 thread which is nice to have for very thin fabrics and I think it has an elastic and tape guide built into the foot as many BL models have as do most Juki models. (Juki made the first Babylocks) don't know if they still do.
One bad thing about the 4428 though besides not having DF is the type of needle it takes. I believe it is a DC1XF needle and it might be hard to find in local stores and it is rather hard to insert properly when telling the front from the back because it is a round shank commercial needle and you have to locate the groove in it.
It is so nice of you to take the time to find this nice gift for your wife. I do hope she loves the gift you choose for her.
ETA: I'm not familiar with the other models that you are considering but "if " the BL 400 is styled like the BL 450 these machines are like the Simplicity models which may have a free arm that is not too large as some have, and have 2,3,4 stitch options and also do not use the commericial type round shank needles. The lower looper might have the older style with the little eye at the end where you insert the thread that is a bit more difficult than some models but these models do many types of stitches well.
-- Edited on 12/9/11 10:17 PM -- |
northbear
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Date: 12/9/11 11:46 PM Betakin,
Thanks for the reply! You are correct about the needles on the BL4-428. The lady at the store did warn me that it does take the "industrial" needle which they did sell at the store. Also the the BL 400 does look *very* similar to the 450 and does have the smaller free arm for closer work, which I know my wife likes about her BabyLock sewing machine. Also you are correct and the 400 uses standard needles (as does the BL90)
In the absence of any information about the BL90 I am leaning more and more towards the BL400.
Thanks again!
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Betakin
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In reply to northbear
Date: 12/10/11 2:45 AM You are most welcome but there is much to consider in comparing models and performance of sergers and I hope to not influence anyone in a purchase but am glad if I can inform on a model in some way.
Some sergers are very noisy but even if quiet may vibrate etc. depending on the models so it is good to see them in action. Brands differ in the qua;ity of metals used for their blades and loopers where some are heavier than others and some even reverse they type of metal used in their knives where the upper knife might be of one metal where on another brand that type of metal might be in the lower knife and not in the upper knife.
Some models require a bit more fiddling too so you might wish to check the Babylock 400 when doing a rolled hem..it probably needs to have the needle plate changed to do the rolled hem so maybe then compare this to the Brother machine when doing a rolled hem. Changing the plate does not affect the appearance of the rolled hem though.
I have never owned or used a White serger or a Brother serger but one of my sewing machines is a Brother. There are so many owners of the Brother serger model that LOVE their sergers. There are many threads here on PR on the Brother model that you may wish to check out.
If you haven't done so already, I would ask to see a demo of the models in action and maybe this may help you make your decision on which one your wife would prefer. I hope she loves your gift.
-- Edited on 12/10/11 2:57 AM -- |
northbear
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Date: 12/10/11 6:15 PM Stopped by the shop again and have a bit more information... prices
The BL90 would cost $130
The BL400 would cost $150
The Brother 1034D would cost $150
They also recommended a Jarome 204D for half off ($250)
Originally we were looking at spending $70-80 on each others gifts and I thought I could stretch it to 100 or so. But at those prices I may have to wait for another gift. Also the Brother 1034D *NEW* on amazon is only $200 which may make more sense to do for an extra $50
Still interested in any others who may have an opinion
Thanks again!
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tgm and Kittys
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WI USA
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In reply to northbear
Date: 12/10/11 6:26 PM Checkout this posting on the message board of Sergers/coverstitch machines.....
Getting the most from your Brother 1034D Serger
I do not have a serger but thought this one was a good starter machine from what has been written about it. ....Saving up my pennies. ....That price for a new one is pretty good that you listed. ....
Did you check Overstock.com too??? There is another place too online that people have had very good luck with.... Sew Vac Direct. I have bought sm for my sister from Overstock.com & had very good service. ...
To add; I just looked on Overstock.com ...they do not have any of the ones you listed... there a couple under $200 but none of the ones you listed. There listings change every day so may be worth checking again sometime if you decide to buy online. ; )
It is very nice you are buying her what she really wants for Christmas... Very nice!
I hope this helps a little. 
-- Edited on 12/10/11 6:32 PM -- ------
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