Singer 237 vs Singer HD (Singer "Heavy Duty" Long Term Review Series)
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- Опубліковано 2 лип 2023
- (NOTE: This video is part of an ongoing and long-term series evaluating the Singer "Heavy Duty" machines. At the time of making this video, I have not yet formed a complete, informed opinion about these machines.)
Hi!
In this video, I compare the Singer HD to my beloved Singer 237 vintage domestic sewing machine.
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Thanks for watching! - Навчання та стиль
I just got a free 237 yesterday. It had been stored in a chicken coup for a long time so was pretty nasty. Anyways it cleaned up great and works wonderfully. I was surprised. I don't care for the louder noise the HD has compared to the nice quiet vintage machines.
I bought a 237 largely based on some earlier videos of Jason’s and another UA-camr called Andy Tube, who has extremely thorough videos on maintaining a 237. You’ve got a great little machine there!
I've had a 237 since 1967. Threading it is a PITA. In 60 years, I've only needed to replace the belt...once.
The Fashion Mate sounds like it could do this all day, every day for the next century and not even get tired. The HD sounds like it's made of that cheap plastic that came out of those 1950's bubble gum machines for a nickel.
I like the sound & the look of the 237 best.
Who wants to look at a gray plastic box while sewing? Plus it sounds awful
I'll attach a music box to your drive train then, and it will sound lovely. When you straight-stitch a sail of 14 feet long at 800 stitches per minute, you'll get to hear "Music Box Dancer" 300 times at lightning speed before your bobbin runs out.
Ain’t that the truth. My Rocketeer is so beautiful to look at while sewing ❤
Thanks again for a informative comparison of the two sewing machines. If some users are able to do some simple modifications to a sewing machine, the possibilities with the Singer 237 are much better in order to change it into a much more powerful sewing machine. The obvious thing to do is to add a speed reducer and replace the beehive tension spring to a heavier spring. Such modifications can make the machine sew V138 thread. When I need to make zig zag with such heavy thread, my modified Singer 237 is my go to machine.
Occasionally I noticed a sharp metallic clicking noise from the Singer 237, and I got the same noise from my Singer 237. I have not yet figured out the cause of it. But it is not a nice noise, and I consider it to be a warning for something bad, that suddenly might happen. It is however comfortable to hear the same noise from your machine.
I am sewing on a Singer HD for about 3 years now. I have sewn fabric, webbing and leather and sometimes stuffed so much material under it that I had to hand crank it. The one thing to remember with any machine is to use the correct Needle and replace it when blunt. That makes a huge difference. So far I'm very happy with it .What I do miss is the fixing threads for the binding attachments and I like the sound of the older machines better. And yes, my upper tension setting is also pretty much at its maximum which did concern me at first but since you confirmed it with yours I will just continue as it is. At some stage I modified the foot pedal (adjusted a resistor) to have a smoother start. I think its a good home sewing machine but I probably wouldn't have called it a Heavy Duty. Thanks for the review.
Hi Jason, I watch your videos... I am not a professional sewist but I love to sew... DIY thing... I like your videos... I have my Singer 237, I bought for CAD28dollars🤭 and Singer 15-90😊... love them all.
Jason, just to add to your “I need to go to the shop and buy a machine today” argument, the other advantage of buying a brand new machine is that it will be set up correctly. Frequently a used vintage machine will require cleaning and piling, maybe some re-wiring and occasionally some adjusting. For instance, my 237 needed the needle bar height adjusted - as someone new to sewing, I assumed the missed stitches, thudding and broken needles were my inexperience, not a machine in need of maintenance. I enjoy the process of restoring vintage machines, but hats not for everyone. Just a thought. Thank you, Roddy. PS - I’m very annoyed that this new Singer is performing so well 😂 PPS - I took great joy in seeing you struggle with binding as much as me! 😂 Perhaps I need to invest in an attachment. I look forward to your binding video 😊
Thank you. I am in love with the vintage machines. I wanted to get into sewing leather with a machine. I’ve become so obsessed with the vintage machines that I’ve yet to find time to learn to sew on a machine
I have been sewing by hand since I was a child sixty plus years old. The plastic cams and gears in other newer models is very different. I prefer the iron tanks
I have many now . ❤
Regarding the trick to put the needle down exactly where you want it: you can do that with the HD! Instead of using the reverse lever, you can just adjust stitch length in between stitches. You can do it with the needle in the fabric and on the upstroke (if you can predict the required distance), or with the needle on the downstroke if you want to see your landing spot move under the foot.
I installed a "worker -B" motor from Sailrite on one of my machines as an experiment. I had to adapt the bracket but it has a built in speed reducer. It's a DC motor with built in DC controller. I'm thinking about moving it to a machine like this 237.
I liked this video.
Unique idea but fantastic idea. I’m excited.❤
Nice video as always! I had a Singer 4423 - it lasted three months! For heavy duty I would recommend Juki Tl series, wonderful machine in all metal construction. Or perhaps the new Veritas Power Stitch (formerly Toyota Power Fabriq), slower than Singer but sooo strong. Now, I am back on a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 930, a strong and versatile machine - sews jeans like butter.
I'm very new to sewing and I did a project this weekend (a stem feed bag), and I really liked the fact that I could see I messed up my bobbin tension somehow and caught an error pretty quickly because of the clear bobbin window.
I think I'd like to make one of these next. I had no issue (other than just general experience) with my project.
Still loving this series. I'm one who would be happy to see a tutorial on making a pouch like that - it's a project that's on my list. All the best as ever, Pete.
One Pete is enough interest for me to make a tutorial! I'll add it to the list :)
Add a vote for a pouch video, please! And, if I may really push things, I’d love to see a video on upgrading the 237 motor to an after market one, if you go down that path, Jason. Many thanks, Roddy
@@thejasonofalltrades Good man! I hope Bobbin will be assisting you.
Yes, would love to see you make a tutorial!
Great - and honest - review ! Can’t wait to see how the HD compares to the 15-91 :). The 15-91 is supposed to be noticeably stronger than the 201 - and way, waaaaay stronger than the 237. But I think that any machine that will sew a daypack of HD waxed canvas with HD shoulder straps is probably all most people need 😎
15-88 can sew everything. It is most produced model back in time in my country and most common on second market nowdays.
That plastically-feel of the modern machines is a turn off. Just not the robustness and a lot more noise with plastic. Same with knob tactile feel.
As far as the speed of the 237 ... see if there is any dried oil in gears/bearings or belt slip happening. The motor might be powerful enough as-is and you need speed, find a friend with a lathe to cut a slightly larger motor pulley or McMaster-Carr or Amazon have pulleys that could possibly fit for under ten dollars.
My singer HD just broke (I over worked it with #69 thread and heavy canvas bag making, among other things) after 3 years. I suspect the plastic gears are worn from the heavy loads and the top thread tension is now crazy and inconsistent. And now after some research I'm finding the singer HD isn't considered particularly repairable by mechanics anyway.
I will be replacing it with a 237, which I should have got from the beginning, and will probably have for the rest of my life.
I would love to see a more detailed tutorial on sewing an EDC pouch like a maxpedition
I ❤ my 237!
I used 237 on the PVC-backed 600d polyester that I fused together to make a 1-mm thick fabric - basically a sandwich with a PVC layer inside. The 237 handled 2 layers of this fused fabric but had difficulty starting. Once I'd give it a crank - it would continue beautifully! So it would benefit from a more powerful motor I guess. I used the upholstery thread and a "jeans" needle that cuts through the fabric
There is a motor from Alphasew that is supposed to be a direct fit for the 237 and provide more power. I don't have personal experience with it, but it might be worth a look for you.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi there. I have a two tone grey Singer 217, which I believe is almost identical to the 237. I absolutely love my 217, and I think it runs alot smoother and quieter than yours. It has a lovely sound and feel. I don't do any heavy duty sewing.
I really don't like the HD Singer at all. It's ugly, and clunky looking and sounding. Not my cup of tea at all.
I also have a Singer 99K hand crank in mint condition which sews like a dream, along with a Husqvarna 19E zig zag which is exquisite, and finally a Janome 627, which has the wide variety of stitches if I'm doing stretch sewing etc.
They're all wonderful machines but think my preference leans towards the more vintage.
Thanks for the great video👏☺️
The motor on the Singer HD sounds more powerful than the 237 however, the HD sounded very cheap and "plastic" compared to the hum of the 237. I'm eagerly awaiting getting my serviced/reconditioned Singer 421G and putting it through it's paces!
Great video. I am looking forward to your video about binding and I am very curious about the binding attachment for the 237 you mentioned!
Thanks!
Since it will be a little bit until I can get to making that video, for all but my dedicated binding machine I use a Sailrite 1" swing-away binding attachment. One issue I have with the HD machine is that it doesn't have the 2 threaded holes in the bed that virtually all of my other machines do, so I can't use it on that machine, unfortunately.
For small, simple, straight and consistent thickness items, the swing-away binder works pretty well. It's no comparison to a right-angle binder on a cylinder-arm walking-foot machine, though :(
I hope that helps, thanks for watching and commenting!
@@thejasonofalltrades That attachment looks interesting. I have so far only used a clip on binding foot on a modern machine and will give the binding foot (the one with the ice cone shaped part) that came with my Singer 401G a try since I use that machine now all the time.
The reverse lever on the HD is great for quickly reversing at the start or end of a seam or if you are doing multiple back and forths to reinforce something. The one I used just felt cheap and plasticky, though. The bobbin winder is better than the one on the 237 but neither of them come close to the glorious one on my 201K. The carry handle on the HD is also useful but I still don't want one
Got my first singer was a 466 then seen a 413 love the look of them and i prefer using the older ones to my new ones i got been looking at a 527 for $40 just like the look of them if the 527 isn't gone by this weekend i think i am going to buy it for $40 can't go wrong.
Your 237 makes a clacking noise and it shouldn't. Adjust gear clearance in upper compartment.
I put a larger motor on one of my 237's, (yes, have several). Problem being the new motor lacks low speed control. I like power over speed, so I have wondered if there would be a market for a bolt on speed reducer. The original motor driving a larger pulley that is connected to a smaller pulley that drives the hand wheel.
From the number of comments I've gotten suggesting that exact thing, I'm thinking there is at least some market for that!
I have the Singer 4423. I bought it about 9 years ago and I'm happy with it.
For a new sewer it may be a bit fussy. I guess it depends on what you want to use it. I had a hard time getting 1/4 inch seams (quilting) at first. Once I got it , I'm a lot happier.
The needle placement can be fussy. I think that is what cased my seam allowance to give me some trouble.
Everything else is good. I'm a hobbyists and I've been sewing around 40 ish years. I learned as a little girl.
I sew some denium and that is why I bought it. My other machine broke when hemming jeans. This does well for that.
I would like to learn how you made your pouch, or at least a link to the pattern. I'm an experienced sewer. (Wannabe seamstress)
I think I have the Singer 237. I have an old Singer my aunt gave me. It has been stored in the utility room for a long time. If it is not a 237 it is a very similar machine. I know for sure it is a Singer. I've never actually used it. It probably needs to be cleaned. ( dusty)
I know for sure I have a Singer 4423
I just checked my old Singer and found out that I was wrong about the model number it is a 414G
I have a 237... I like it, but I had to replace the motor and the new one has almost no low speed control; it's basically all or nothing. It is probably because the replacement motor/pedal is cheap and low quality. Other than that, I like the 237. For a more modern machine with some HD capabilities and more features than my 237, I got the brother st150 hdh and I love it.
Love this video, I just got a 237 for $20 Canadian and it works great.
I had a Brother SE400 sewing/embroidery machine that I paid about $500. That model is made of plastic and once it started malfunctioning, I tried to open it up to clean it and oil it. The tabs that held it together were breaking and I couldn't put it back together without the power connector falling out. There is no way for a normal consumer to service it and it's half the worth of the machine to send it in for servicing. Once my current plastic machines break, I'm not likely to buy another.
I seen a video of yours (don’t remember which) where you briefly say that your plier style stapler is the office type. What size staples do you commonly use and are they just standard staples? Thanks
Hi! Yes, standard staples just as you would use for paper. I have used other styles, but regular paper ones work fine for me.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
What's the other channel? I didn't see the link.
www.youtube.com/@thejasonwins3765
I had a Singer 44s that is similar to the 4423. I gave it to somebody thinking I would find a more capable replacement later like the Janome 3000. I didn't notice any real improvement. I am a novice, (and now a collector with more than a dozen machines). I have not found a machine that will not sew what I have so far made. All the machines seem to be geared with 800 stitch or better per minute in mind, using a similar motor, (.7 amp), so how much power difference could there be? If there was a brand geared at more like 500 Stitch per minute, I think it could take a market share as the torque would be much greater. All round domestic machines also need to be able to use small needles like #9. The additional power may bend these. The machine would need to be marketed for jeans with #16 needle.
I’m in a very similar position with my sewing machine adventure. I love the mechanical aspect and designs of various models and makes . ❤. Best wishes.
The 237 runs in a treadle. In fact, it was offered in one back in the day. Try THAT with your HD! 🆒
LOL that's true!
In case you're new around here, the Singer 237 is at the very top of my list of favorite sewing machines (I own more than 30 machines). I entered into this long-term review series of the Singer HD with a bias very much AGAINST the HD. I have been pleasantly surprised by its performance so far, though, and for many people a new machine is a better alternative for several reasons. So while I still prefer the 237 (and many of my other machines), I need to be fair to the Singer HD so that someone considering one will hopefully have a realistic idea of what it can, and can't, do. I can assure you, I won't be ditching my 237!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@thejasonofalltrades
Someone gave me a 237 a year or so back. When I opened it up to service it, I was looking at nearly the same guts as a class 15, which we all know will run for over a hundred years. Add to that a simple zig zag and I knew this was the perfect basic sewing machine. I've been on the lookout for them ever since. The only thing I'd like better is if the reverse lever returned to forward automatically like more modern machines. I have the usual assortment of sewing machines, including a few industrials, but I suspect the 237 will always have a place in my stable.
You've answered a few questions I had about the HD. It seems like a solid machine but I'm deeply suspicious of anything made in the age of planned obsolescence. I bet the hook driving gear is plastic.
"Not That" Heavy Duty? 😆
Thanks for indulging all us Bobbin fans.
I have a "Fragile, Handle With Care" sticker (it might be visible in a few clips in this video, I'm not sure) that I've been waiting to put on this machine, but unfortunately it continues to perform better than I expected! I still definitely take issue with the "heavy duty" name, though.
Bobbin says you're welcome 😂
Thanks for being part of the channel!
How much did the 237 cost when it was new? And how does that compare if you adjusted the price to modern prices? Because if it cost more than 230 dollars in adjusted dollars, then the HD is 'cheaper'.
True what you said about a machine's longevity, though.
Hi!
I addressed this in another video in this series; what I am comparing here is the relative cost today of two options - a vintage machine and this currently produced one. What the vintage machine originally sold for is irrelevant to the question of which one is a better buy TODAY. A 237 brand new was probably a $700 machine in today's dollars, but you can buy one for $25-50 today, and that's what I'm concerned with in this evaluation.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching and commenting!
Jason, you said you had considered an upgrade (more powerful) motor. I'm interested. Where would I find it? Thanks.
Hi!
Here's a link, no affiliation - www.sewingpartsonline.com/products/alphasew-motor-and-foot-control-kit-fm190
I still have never gotten around to buying one of these (and they cost a bit more, now lol), so I have no firsthand experience to offer. If you get one, let me know what you think!
I included the incorrect link, that is to the motor with the pedal included, if you only need the motor then just scroll down on the page and you should see it, sorry!
@@thejasonofalltrades Thanks!
I ordered one. I'll let you know if it makes a noticeable difference.
I just bought a singer heavy duty because my vintage kenmore just tanked (i think.. but i don't feel like going to get it fixed right now). It seems to be preforming pretty well but i can't get over the annoying sound it makes while stitching! With vintage machines its like a low humming and I actually find it quite pleasant but the singer hd sound is annoying honestly.. hopefully i can get used to it
I'm enjoying this series. I think the only way to sew the binding on more accurately would be either to sew each side separately, or align both sides, and then tack it carefully so that you know you'll catch in both sides. So slow compared to using your binding machine, but I like sewing slowly (and slow cycling...) so it doesn't bother me. I've been thinking about making an EDC myself and haven't found a video that shows specifically how to make one, which I was surprised about, but I did find this one, which would be a great one to adapt to an EDC - ua-cam.com/video/SQyDZ6PFFzU/v-deo.html I think if you did one, Jason, it would be very popular.
😂😂😂 “Not that”… very funny! 😂😂😂😂😂
i used to use the 4432 singer plastic one it was a night mare i prefer my singer 319k or the 320k /306 i rekan my old machine is faster an smoother the timing would go out of time on the plastic one an the stich qaulity was not as good as the vintage one
Wher is it for sale singer 237
Why is there "not that" written on the Singer Heavy Duty machine?
Hi!
That's just a little joke. My main criticism (so far) about these machines is I think the "heavy duty" name can be misleading to newer seamsters. So far, the machine has actually impressed me with its capabilities, but I had VERY low expectations. To me, it's "not that heavy duty," but my opinion could change with further experimentation.
Put that Singer Heavy Duty up against a 1970s Kenmore with a 1.2 amp motor and get back to us!
You might want to check the other videos in this series, I already did just that, and I was as surprised by the results as I suspect you might be :)
@@thejasonofalltrades I can't find it can you send me a link? From your comment I assume you concluded that the modern Singer HD can outperform my Kenmore 158. I'd really like to see that!
@@lisalu910 This video - ua-cam.com/video/5WSTgxF8Sok/v-deo.html - is an "addendum" to the series, where I use my Kenmore 158.1752 to sew a project I recently sewed on the HD machine. The video where I sewed the project on the HD is here - ua-cam.com/video/B3YvDBxl4PI/v-deo.html
I'm not sure how much of the series or my other content you have watched, so just in case, I have LONG been a strong advocate for using vintage sewing machines, and I have been a bit outspoken about my lack of confidence in the Singer Heavy Duty machines in particular. My primary motivation for buying this machine to do a long-term evaluation was to prove once and for all that it is not a good sewing machine; I was dead wrong. Do I think it is as well built and long-lasting as a vintage machine? Absolutely not. Can you buy a vintage machine that will perform as well, or nearly so, for a lot less money? Absolutely. BUT, in back-to-back tests against a variety of tried-and-true vintage machines, the Heavy Duty has held its own and even outperformed many (if not most) of my vintage machines in my limited testing.
There are almost certainly some things the Kenmore will do better than the HD, and in many ways they could be seen as equals (take a look at the speed comparison video in this series). But on this ONE project, with the two machines I own, the Singer performed ever-so-slightly better than the Kenmore this time.
I hope that helps, thanks for your continued interest!
I think should start our own in-joke that the "HD" stands for "Home Duty", because all of the lessor machines sold for the home are TOO WEAK even for light domestic sewing, such as hemming a dish towel.
I have one from this series, and have owned others in the past. They are the standard, basic, competent entry-level sewing machine for the house that by default FOOL EVERY MALE into buying it, because "Heavy Duty" doesn't mean to any American people "stronger than those incredibly weak 'toy' sewing machines girls use to make fashion-forward curtains for their bedroom", which is what SINGER means by the phrase.
I say that in American commerce, "Heavy Duty" is a legally MEANINGFUL PROMISE to the market that no stronger tool exists in the entire line, and that the MOST difficult tasks CAN be done with this tool. I think SINGER should be legally FORCED to severely alter it's messaging so that no man is fooled into thinking that they could sew a pair of denim jeans together with this thing not breaking after it makes 6 pairs, if it can even be coaxed to produce 1 pair.
If everyone knows that the pattern in life is that thousands of men saw the words "Heavy Duty" on this line of machines, and thought "I can make a pair of jeans and my own backpack & gym bag with this!", only for each one of those men to privately discover, that these "HD" Singers aren't fit for those tasks, then perhaps we have a class-action lawsuit we could win? How can it not be a legal cause of action, when every man in America was fooled by the same advertizing on the box?