Need some advice

I am looking into buying a machine. I have a Baby Lock Ellegante and now I want something more commercial. My budget is less than $8000 so I am looking at used machines but they are hard to find. I don't want something that is 15 years old so my options are limited.

I can get a brand new BabyLock BMP9 but then I only get 6 needles and a smaller sewing field.

I want to stay with a reliable brand. How do you find used machines? I am in Washington but would travel to Oregon or British Columbia for the right deal. Are their used dealers anywhere?

SunEmbroidery's picture

Unless you know you'll be embroidering designs with lots of colors I wouldn't be too concerned about a machine that has only six needles if its in good condition at the right price. 97% of the designs we do are five colors or less with most being 2-3 colors. Yes, having the capacity for more colors will save time but that may be the comprise you'll have to make to stay withing your budget.

Step # 1 is to decide what is the largest design you will need to sew. The Happy Voyager is a great machine, but will not sew larger than 12 inches by 12 inches. It has 12 needles, and is semi portable, but a good workhorse. 8 or 9 needle Brother or Happy machines are good workhorses as well, IF they have been maintained. Cost should not be your first concern. Any of the 3 machines I mentioned will work for 10 years and sew very well if you maintain them. 3 hours a day, times 5 days a week times 50 weeks in a year times 10 years and a $3,000 difference up front could wind up being only 50 cents a day! Do the math for the amount of time you will use it and see what it comes out to be.

look at the used embroidery machines forum on this site. Also try embroiderytrader.com or the embroideryyellowpages.com
A machine 15 years old is still a great machine. Mine is 20 and works like a charm 12 needles on a single head. Its a Toyota 850 I bought it used. Just make sure it comes from a seller that kept it well maintained and serviced.

U are lucky, as its hard to find exact machine

Steve
Embroidery Digitizier and Color Separation
20 Years Experience
(Price : 10 USD Flat OR 1.5 USD/1000 Stitches)
First Two designs Free to Try
gnizitigid@gmail.com

I have a Toyota 850 in good working condition. Hoops, stand, upgraded cap attachment, editing software, magnetic hoop attachment and hoops. Would consider letting it go for around $5000. Works good and was gone through and updated by a tech three years ago. I am looking to get a 9100 to link with my other 9100. Any interest, let me know. Located on Mn/ND border.