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Brother PC-420 PRW outside of USA? (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 2/6/11 0:01 AM ET
Halritey, let's keep this simple!
I'm about to join the sewing world, but I need to buy a sewing machine
After much research, I have set myself on the 'Brother PC-420 PRW'
Living in Australia however, I don't know if i can access/buy it? I've had not much luck so far.... Can it only be purchased in USA? I hope not!
I'd be grateful of any help....
Thanks!
I'm about to join the sewing world, but I need to buy a sewing machine

After much research, I have set myself on the 'Brother PC-420 PRW'

Living in Australia however, I don't know if i can access/buy it? I've had not much luck so far.... Can it only be purchased in USA? I hope not!

I'd be grateful of any help....
Thanks!
Posted on: 2/6/11 4:38 AM ET
In reply to meme123321
To be honest I wouldn't buy it BECAUSE of voltage difference
Anything electrical (unless battery powered) from overseas (unless it's same voltage etc). But it's certainly tempting
If you want a brother how about the NX-400 or Brother Innovis 400.
I wouldn't recommend Brother NX-200 (I have this machine) even though it's good it doesn't have a good length and width adjuster (at least that's what i think). What is you budget? What type of sewing do you want to do? What brand do you prefer? I may be able to help you pick a machine. But for really good experience you must go to a sewing dealer. Makes all the difference.
By the way do you live in Sydney?

Anything electrical (unless battery powered) from overseas (unless it's same voltage etc). But it's certainly tempting

If you want a brother how about the NX-400 or Brother Innovis 400.
I wouldn't recommend Brother NX-200 (I have this machine) even though it's good it doesn't have a good length and width adjuster (at least that's what i think). What is you budget? What type of sewing do you want to do? What brand do you prefer? I may be able to help you pick a machine. But for really good experience you must go to a sewing dealer. Makes all the difference.

By the way do you live in Sydney?
Posted on: 2/6/11 6:10 AM ET
Check Amazon UK to see if they'll ship to Australia....or contact the Thread Den in Melbourne who'll be able to advise you. [email protected]
Posted on: 2/6/11 6:11 AM ET
I have a 420 and love it, the manual is really really good orders of magnitude beyond my singer futura. The manual has special info for users in the UK Malta and Cyprus (about the wiring presumably to comply with local laws) so it is most defiantly available outside the USA. It may have a different model number in Australia maybe if you check Brother's Aus web site you can figure out which one.
US Models come a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other so they can be plugged into a socket only one way don't know if you have that there). And is is 120v only, if you use 220/240 you would need a converter only draws .7amp at 120 so a small travel type converter would probably work just make sure it has at least .35amp at 240 and accepts a polarized plug or you could a new ac cord the socket on the machine is a standard 2 prong IEC type you may even have a spare that fits as this is a common connection for computer equipment these days just don't plug it directly into the wall unless you are sure you've got 120v AC unless you like the smell of smoke :). If you can't find locally try http://www.sewvacdirect.com/ they are reliable though I don't know if they will export a 420 wouldn't hurt to ask don't forget about customs though.
US Models come a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other so they can be plugged into a socket only one way don't know if you have that there). And is is 120v only, if you use 220/240 you would need a converter only draws .7amp at 120 so a small travel type converter would probably work just make sure it has at least .35amp at 240 and accepts a polarized plug or you could a new ac cord the socket on the machine is a standard 2 prong IEC type you may even have a spare that fits as this is a common connection for computer equipment these days just don't plug it directly into the wall unless you are sure you've got 120v AC unless you like the smell of smoke :). If you can't find locally try http://www.sewvacdirect.com/ they are reliable though I don't know if they will export a 420 wouldn't hurt to ask don't forget about customs though.
Posted on: 2/23/11 3:58 AM ET
I am in the same situation as meme123321! I'm in Australia and want to buy this machine so badly. Is it definitely NOT dual voltage? I was reading that a lot of machines are but I can't find anything on the Brother website about the voltage of this machine.
Posted on: 2/23/11 7:55 AM ET
In reply to Sendrine
The label on the machine is for 120v only. You can get a step down converter for 240 to 120 and it will work just fine that way.
You can see a rather ugly one
Here
But get one in Australia to make sure it will plug into your wall outlet type. The machine will come with a power cord that has an IEC connection on one end and a US two prong polarized plug on the other, you may need to replace this too depending on what the converter you get accepts, you may have one already from computer equipment you no longer use, IEC is very common.
Good luck.
Ok just looked at Brother Australia. You want the NX-400 it's the same machine just slightly different colors and doesn't have the project runway logo (a show I've never seen so I can't say how much this is worth
), frankly I like the nx-400 colors better. Main problem the SRP seems quite high but if you can find it at discount comparable or slightly more than a 420 + converter + customs fees than you'll be better off especially since you'll know you have a warranty that will be honored locally just in case.
You can see a rather ugly one
Here
But get one in Australia to make sure it will plug into your wall outlet type. The machine will come with a power cord that has an IEC connection on one end and a US two prong polarized plug on the other, you may need to replace this too depending on what the converter you get accepts, you may have one already from computer equipment you no longer use, IEC is very common.
Good luck.
Ok just looked at Brother Australia. You want the NX-400 it's the same machine just slightly different colors and doesn't have the project runway logo (a show I've never seen so I can't say how much this is worth
), frankly I like the nx-400 colors better. Main problem the SRP seems quite high but if you can find it at discount comparable or slightly more than a 420 + converter + customs fees than you'll be better off especially since you'll know you have a warranty that will be honored locally just in case.
Posted on: 2/23/11 8:25 AM ET
Forgot the nx400 has 7 point feeddog vs. 6 and it may have 10 memory pockets for custom stitches vs 5 in the 420 didn't get the PDF to check this. The extra memory would be nice, worth a few extra dollars IMO. Here you have to go to a dealer to get the extra features so I don't, probably the same there, not worth it though if they don't discount much off SRP. Seems stupid of Brother not to just sell the 420 there at the cheaper price maybe the dealers have the market locked up somehow.
Do note the manual indicates the 420 is sold in the UK you might want to check UK dealers and see if this is true, doesn't the UK use 240v? If so a UK unit would work fine for you and maybe be easier to import aren't you part of the common wealth?
Do note the manual indicates the 420 is sold in the UK you might want to check UK dealers and see if this is true, doesn't the UK use 240v? If so a UK unit would work fine for you and maybe be easier to import aren't you part of the common wealth?
Posted on: 2/23/11 7:43 PM ET
In reply to SierraSarrah
Quote: SierraSarrah
Forgot the nx400 has 7 point feeddog vs. 6 and it may have 10 memory pockets for custom stitches vs 5 in the 420 didn't get the PDF to check this.
Forgot the nx400 has 7 point feeddog vs. 6 and it may have 10 memory pockets for custom stitches vs 5 in the 420 didn't get the PDF to check this.
The 7 point feeddog is better than the 6 point feeddog. I do not understand why you told her to buy the 6 over the 7.
Posted on: 2/24/11 1:35 PM ET
In reply to Lil Flo
I didn't, not sure why you think I did. What we don't know is how much discount she could get the SRP on 400 is well more the twice what a 420 goes for, is the 7 point feed dog worth that much more...I think my message was pretty clear the 400 sounds like it is worth paying a bit more for, a "bit" being in the eye of the buyer.
Posted on: 2/24/11 2:14 PM ET
In reply to SierraSarrah
Oh sorry, I guess I misunderstood your post. I've never had a machine with the 6 point feeddogs, but was told the 7 point was better. In my thinking, no it is not worth paying a bit more for the 7 point. I didn't realize that was your point. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
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