The Powerhouse Stitcher: A Guide to Choosing the Right Industrial Sewing Machine

While standard home and industrial sewing machines share the same basic features and functions, the latter are built to withstand far more intense use over longer periods.

Diving deeper into the subject, here are a few more reasons you might want to consider an industrial sewing machine:

You Need Continuous Operation

A home sewing machine may receive several hours of use daily, but industrial sewing machines can run 24/7.

You Need High Speeds

For the typical home sewing machine, speeds in the range of 600 to 1,000 stitches per minute (SPM) are typical. In contrast, industrial sewing machines can run at 1,500 SPM or more speeds.

You Need Precision

Home sewing machines can be incredibly precise, but industrial sewing machines are still a step up, as — thanks to their robust and sturdy designs — they offer superior consistency and preciseness.

The Main Features of Industrial Sewing Machines

Here are the standards by which you’ll judge your new industrial sewing machine. It is these features that make continuous operation, high speeds, and precision possible:

Automation

Many home sewing machines feature impressive automatic stitch settings and speed control, but industrial sewing machines require far less human input to create the final product.

One Stitch Type

Users can switch between various stitch types with a home sewing machine, but industrial sewing machines often specialize in a single stitch type. Though that makes the machines less versatile, the result is machines with fewer parts that can wear or break down and one that can run at high speeds for far longer.

Larger, Stronger Motors

Not only do the motors of industrial sewing machines run continuously, but they also need to be able to handle thick, hard-to-penetrate material. Their bulky, powerful motors allow them to sew for dozens of hours at a time without breaking a sweat.

Heavy but Durable

Industrial sewing machines are meant to be set in one place and not move, while a home sewing machine may occasionally be put away in a closet. Many industrial machines mount to a base or a table, but even those that don’t will be massive enough that moving one around a shop or factory is difficult.

With that being said, you can expect to get a long operational life from your industrial sewing machine since every part is built to handle the most extreme conditions. Parts will be rust-resistant and made from strong, rigid materials.

More Expensive

As you might imagine, industrial machines are far pricier than their domestic counterparts. Since everything must be overbuilt, the cost of raw materials, design, assembly, repair, and maintenance will be more costly.

Greater Electricity Consumption

In addition to their greater costs overall, industrial sewing machines need more energy to run, which means their larger motors and bulkier, heavier moving parts will eat a bigger hole in your power bill.

What Type of Sewing Do You Need?

Before you spend your hard-earned money, determine the full extent of your needs. Remember, an industrial sewing machine would be impractical for hobbyists; they are intended to be used for large-scale textile manufacturers and other businesses that require voluminous output.

You also need to consider the feed mechanism to match the type of fabric you’ll be sewing. The kinds of mechanisms include the following:

• Drop Feed: Good for standard lightweight fabrics
• Top Feed: Well-suited for heavyweight fabrics and delicate fabrics
• Triple Feed: Necessary for the most rigid materials, such as leather

You may also have to choose between a mechanical and an electronic sewing machine. While modern industrial machines feature more electronic controls than ever, you may prefer a mechanical machine's simplicity and easy maintenance despite the lack of stitch variety or automated features. Electronic machines certainly offer more precise control and customization, but they are also more expensive and inherently more fragile.

Increase Your Sewing Output With an Industrial Sewing Machine From GoldStar Tool

Whether you decide you just need a better domestic sewing machine or you’re ready to advance to an industrial sewing machine, GoldStar Tool is here to provide what you need. Shop our fine selection of sewing machines and find the right one for you today!