I would like to get a sewing machine that will handle heavy work such as repairing leather straps on canvas horse blankets. My budget is no more than $800, which seems to rule out a true industrial sewing machine.

I am thinking about something like this Pfaff 130: http://cgi.ebay.com/Pfaff-130-Sewing-Machine_W0QQitemZ350288509867QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Sewing_Machines?hash=item518ed27bab

That is a cool machine. Based on surfing through some sewing machine sites, it appears that the Pfaff is somewhere between an industrial machine and a good quality home machine. It is definitely pretty.

Anybody have any words of wisdom for me?

You can get a rebuilt Singer industrial that will do pattern sewing, (box x, xx, etc.) for around 800-1000. They are pretty much indestructable. Look in the NYC area or in the Carolinas. They are still used by aviation repair shops. I sold about 30 of them when I sold my business about 10 years ago.

I dont think the Pfaff will be heavy duty enough for what you intend.

Too bad. It's a cool looking German machine.

People in the know really seem to like the older Singers.

I could go as high as a $1,000 (I'm not so good as staying within budget ), especially if I can get it in time to put under the Christmas tree.

If you want a straight stitch machine, here are some ghood prices on some w/i your budget. Don't know the company, but good prices

http://industrialsewingmachineman.com/machines/all.asp?dir=usedindssmach&brand=Singer

the singers come up all the time on craigs. unlike fleabay, local has the benifit of seeing before buying.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

that pfaff is not anywhere strong enough. my grandma had one like it... Great for denim. thats about it

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

I bought an old Singer straight stitch industrial machine on a table from a classified ad in the newspaper about 20 yrs ago for $100. Definitely the machine I turn to for any serious sewing. They must be available on Craigslist nowaday. This industrial machine sews at a rate far exceeding any I have found on home sewing machines. Any sewing machine with an oil sump like a car is meant for serious business.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

You might look into this kind of thing.
http://www.alberoni.com/rebuilt.php

I just looked up rebuilt sewing machines and there are some industrial sites. This one has one listed that will do leather.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

Good link: I had Consew & Jukis also and they were almost as reliable as the Singers.

A crazedlist search showed a fair number of Singer industrials in the $250+ range.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

A personal recommendation is: either the Singer 300W or the Union Special 111. These machines were used in auto plants and are tougher than Bridgeport milling machines.

Rebuilt or reconditioned they would fit the price range, especially now.

In 1976 I helped write Chrysler's Power Sewing program for the car plants and these machines were doing leather and vinyl for seats and canvas for convertible tops, so they were pretty tough, doing 50 an hour.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

the main thing if one buys from a private party is condition, esp on the pattern sewers. if they are out of time, then they dont work right and although fairly simple, it takes a certain skill to repair

My mom Loves her Pfaff, says its the closest thing to a Mercedes my dad would buy her. Its not an industreal maching but shes has repairs jeans with it all the time. For a consumer grade unit its stronger, and can handle more then similar Singers. She had it stitch throught her index finger when my sister was a toddler. My sister pulled on her arm and wham, stiched throught her finger!

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Thank you for all the great responses. I know a bunch more about heavy duty sewing machines than I did this morning. My plan to get a machine in time for Christmas is probably a pipe dream, given my budget. I'm going to keep my eyes open for the right deal. Patience is a virtue (sometimes).