Brother PR600 embroidery machine

Hello,

I have a home embroidery sewing machine combination that I use mostly for hobby and the occasional order here and there from friends and their friends. Now I'm thinking of taking it more seriously and actually go out there and sought out orders. My poor little Singer embroidery machine is great for hobbies and all, but I don't think it's reliable enough. It's pretty old, worn out, and not as maintained as I would like it to be :o

I was thinking of getting the Singer Quantum XL-6000, but I fell in love with the the Brother PR-600 after seeing it at a fair. I didn't get to talk much to the lady operating the machine because she seemed busy or just didnt want to talk to me. I was just able to get the machine brand and model and that was just about it. I did watch her operate the machine for awhile until she started giving me the looks LOL.

Anyways, now I'm all excited about taking my hobby and making money from it. I guess I need input about the PR600 and how it compares to popular commercial single head machines like Tajima, ZSK, Barudan, SWF, and the rest. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks for reading. :)

Location: 
United States

I have been selling embroidery machines for years. When it comes the Brother 600,620, 650 range of machines, i hear the same feedback 100% of the time.

Its a great machine, I love it, but I need a bigger machine. Also, every thread i see with this machine has at least one person trying to sell one, not becuase its not an awesome machine, but because a successful business can outgrow this very quickly.

If you want to learn more about more commercial machines, email me.

The pr-600 is a great starter machine and is a great addition to any company that is using it for sew outs and you can easily learn the machine in your own time at home. The best machines that i had were the Tajima TMEX-C-1201 EMBROIDERY MACHINE that i had bought new in 1999 and recenly sold. i was left with my PR-600 and i was thinking about
selling it when i started to get back into it and found that it is a great dependable machine for not only a beginner but a great machine to stay in touch with my customers for new designs that i digitize and can work back into big orders that i can use some local contract
embroidery shops that do heavy stitching that you don't want to do with this machine.i strongly suggest that you invest in DGML SOFTWARE and learn digitizing which is also a great source of income.

Welcome to the forums :)

That lady knows how to protect her business alright!

In terms of production, the PR-600 is definitely better than home embroidery machines like the Singer Quantum XL-6000 you mentioned and other single-needled home machines simply because the PR-600 has five more needles and because of its cylindrical arm.

Having more needles means less supervision due to automatic color changes and trimmers and a cylindrical arm enables you to easily embroider caps. While it is possible to embroidery caps on home machines, it's not really ideal especially in a production environment. Remember that time is money; the more you can do in less time the better. Plus, I think you'd agree that it's so much more convenient not having to wait around for color changes! Also remember that you may void the warranty of a home machine if you use it in a commercial environment--it's a cost issue for manufacturers/dealers obviously.

As far as comparing the PR-600 to a single-head Tajima, Barudan, ZSK, SWF, and so on, I'm sorry to say that the PR-600 is not up to par with the big boys. In my opinion, the PR-600 fills the gap between home machines and commercial machines--it's built and marketed that way.

Hello Marc

I read your reply with interest.

I'm interested in the PR-600 for short run itmes on a business theme.

I noted your comments that the PR-600 can't compete with the big boys. Presumably there is a big difference in price too?

Do you think the PR-600 is a good starter for a small business or would you recommend something different?

John

I have the PR600 and am interested in selling it. I have been extremely pleased with mine. I just don't have the time. I also have digitizing software if you are interested.

mdawncooper wrote:
I have the PR600 and am interested in selling it. I have been extremely pleased with mine. I just don't have the time. I also have digitizing software if you are interested.
What is your asking price?

mdawncooper wrote:
I have the PR600 and am interested in selling it. I have been extremely pleased with mine. I just don't have the time. I also have digitizing software if you are interested.

What are you asking for it ?

mdawncooper wrote:
I have the PR600 and am interested in selling it. I have been extremely pleased with mine. I just don't have the time. I also have digitizing software if you are interested.

What software do you have and how much are you selling it for? How much are you selling the PR600 for? Where are you located?

Hi! I have a Brother PR-600 for sale, it is in great condition. I just have no time for it. It has 2 sets of hoops, cap attachment, stand, manual, tools. I even have the box it came in. The price is 5000.00. I am 45 minutes east of Cleveland OH. You can contact me at cellholders@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Hi I am interested to buy PR 600 for my girl friend,I would be very pleased if you will inform Me about the prise,Thanks Joseph

mdawncooper wrote:
I have the PR600 and am interested in selling it. I have been extremely pleased with mine. I just don't have the time. I also have digitizing software if you are interested.

mdawncooper wrote:
I have the PR600 and am interested in selling it. I have been extremely pleased with mine. I just don't have the time. I also have digitizing software if you are interested.

What is your price? Where are you located?

mdawncooper wrote:
I have the PR600 and am interested in selling it. I have been extremely pleased with mine. I just don't have the time. I also have digitizing software if you are interested.

Is this still available? How much are you asking for it?

In my experience owning two different embroidery machines for a small business, the PR600 is the best in its price range. I bought mine on eBay for about $7,000 (I just checked and there are two for sale on eBay right now for about that much), but then I had to buy the $700 stand for it because you really need it. The PR-600 is really durable and so you can save some real money getting one second hand instead of paying $10,000 brand new for the stand and cap driver and other accessories. Or even more. If you find a trusted seller on eBay or uBid, I'd recommend it if you are serious about professional embroidery.

John,

My apologies for this late response. You posted around 6 months after my post so I kind of didn't notice. :)

Anyways, back to your question.

datasafe wrote:
I noted your comments that the PR-600 can't compete with the big boys. Presumably there is a big difference in price too?

Yes there is a big price difference between a new Tajima, Barudan, etc. and a Brother PR-600.
datasafe wrote:
Do you think the PR-600 is a good starter for a small business or would you recommend something different?

It really depends on what type of work you'll be doing. There is nothing wrong with the PR-600. If you are always on the move traveling at fairs, shows, kiosks, etc. and you are all alone (a one-man show), a PR-600 will suit you because it's lightweight and very portable. The PR-600 weighs 80 lbs. Although the Tajima Neo is compact/portable, it weighs in at 180 lbs. so an average person can't just move it around as much as the PR-600 without some help. The PR-600 also cost thousands less than the Neo.

There are drawbacks to the PR-600 compared to, let's say, the Tajima Neo since I've mentioned it already. The PR-600 has 6 needles while the Neo has 15 needles--this is a huge difference. Obviously, more needles equals increase in productivity and convenience. With a 15-needle machine, you can have the most common colors always ready and waiting on the machine. So it's certainly a plus even if you don't get to use all 15 colors all the time per design. If you will be doing mostly corporate/company logos, then a 6-needle machine is fine because most logos of the type are less than 6 colors. If you will be doing mostly jacket backs or large designs, it's best to have a 15-needle machine because those type of work usually have more than 6 colors.

The PR-600's maximum embroidery area is 12" x 8" while Neo's is 14" x 20". The Neo also has more specialized features that an embroidery veteran craves for that a novice embroiderer might not realize. For example, the Neo can operate as a flat head which is fantastic if you do lots of patches/emblems and heavy/unstable goods. It can do narrow items like gloves, socks, and even pockets. Neo's are also networkable.

So it really depends what your needs are :)

I would always prefer to have as many needles as I can afford, even if I have to buy a used machine.

I have a Tajima single head 15 needle for sale, with all hoops, including cap frames and cuff frames, software, stand, the entire shabang! I am the only owner, purchased in 2001 and hardly used it. It has been regularly serviced. I had hopes of starting a full time business but it never evolved past a part time business and now life stepped in and I have a job outside the home. Also, I just don't have the room for it anymore since my spare rooms are no longer spare! I am thinking of downsizing to the Brother PR-600 and using the space in my laundry room. So if anyone is interested in purchasing a Tajima commercial machine package for 14,750. (I paid 23,000) contact me, and if anyone is interested in selling a Brother PR 600 for a reasonable price, also contact me.

Rosemarie wrote:
I have a Tajima single head 15 needle for sale, with all hoops, including cap frames and cuff frames, software, stand, the entire shabang! I am the only owner, purchased in 2001 and hardly used it. It has been regularly serviced. I had hopes of starting a full time business but it never evolved past a part time business and now life stepped in and I have a job outside the home. Also, I just don't have the room for it anymore since my spare rooms are no longer spare! I am thinking of downsizing to the Brother PR-600 and using the space in my laundry room. So if anyone is interested in purchasing a Tajima commercial machine package for 14,750. (I paid 23,000) contact me, and if anyone is interested in selling a Brother PR 600 for a reasonable price, also contact me.

Hey Rosemarie.... I have a Brother PR600. We purchased this machine last christmas with the metal stand made for this machine. These pieces are usually sold seperately, however, we purchased them together. It comes with the hat hoop, also sold seperately, and 5 other hoops. We also have the PE design software version 7 with the card reader. This machine has only been used for a few personal items, nothing big. I would say all total use may be 24 hours and that is generous. We love the machine but can't justify the cost for what we are using it for at this time. We would like to have 9500 for everything. Let me know if you are interested.

Thanks
Rachel Roark

Hi Rosemarie, I have recently purchased a couple Amaya XT embroidery machines and no longer need my brother PR600. I have it available for sale for $6,000 which includes the hat kit, several frames, miscellaneous thread, bobbins and some backing.

Let me know if you are interested? Send me an email toddr@allinonepromos.com

Thanx Todd

I have the PR600 and would like to sell it. Mine has been a huge success for me. I simply do not have the necessary time. If you're interested, I also have digitising software.

i own Australia based embroidery digitizing and vector conversion company Called EMBPUNCH

Having owned two different embroidery machines for a small business, I can say that the PR600 is the best in its price range. I bought mine on eBay for around $7,000 (I just checked, and there are two for sale on eBay right now for around that price), but I had to buy the $700 stand for it because you really need it. The PR-600 is extremely durable, so you can save a lot of money by purchasing one used rather than paying $10,000 brand new for the stand, cap driver, and other accessories. Or maybe even more. If you're serious about professional embroidery, I'd recommend finding a trusted seller on eBay or uBid.

i own Australia based embroidery digitizing and vector conversion company Called EMBPUNCH

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i am located in Bolivar, MO. wanting 8500.00 and would be willing to meet half way. i want to say that we have just over 10,000.00 in the machine and what few goodies we have purchased. we also have approximately 30 spools of robison-anton textile thread what will go along with the machine. 1100 yard spools. also want to say that we have a couple hundred prewound bobbins. all goes...
thanks
rachel
sorry for the typo in the reply to your post (9500.00) i am only asking 8500.00.

Hi! I saw your post and just had to reply. I bought a PR 600II to start a home-based embroidery business. It was perfect for hats, shirts, just about everything. But, I opened a retail location at the end of last year and already need to buy a larger machine to keep up. My advise is if you plan to open a store, go ahead and start bigger than a PR. Good luck!