Singer Heavy Duty
Verified29 reviews
Frustrating – The reverse switch doesn't reverse. The instruction manual that came with the machine is so basic that l can't perform simple tasks. Changing the foot from regular to zipper foot for example. Actually sewing in a zip isn't even in the manual. Once it is correctly set up.it works reasonably ( no reverse switch action). Just feels slightly less than smooth running. Lightweight. Show details
Bloody awful! – Sailrite it will never be! Over hyped and over rated. Bottom of the pack is what I'd call it, plastic, plastic, plastic......... Show details
Singer Heavy Duty HD6805C Total waste of $800.00 – I may as well have thrown $800 in the bin, The worst machine I have owned and of course the (friendly )staff at spotlight want to blame the customer- you use the wrong needle, you touched the tension, you used bad quality thread. This machine couldnt even sew through 3 layers of cotton fabric without struggling and often breaking needles even on… Read more
the lowesty speed possible. The thread cutter is a hit and miss and works when it feels like it, and as for the needle position always wanting to raise up is just plain ridiculous. There is 1 good thing, the speed is nice. I will use it till it dies as I cant get a refund but I personally say, dont waste your cash and read as many reviews as possible. I have a simplicity that was $275.00, it is way better than this machine
Great machine – I love this sewing machine but l am disappointed with the cover. A paper cover? Come Singer for an iconic brand you can do better. Show details
It's alright – It worked straight out of the box. It has quite a few stitches built-in. It doesn't sew through thick cloth or many layers that well. (I read somewhere that the 'Heavy Duty' name doesn't relate to the sewing capacity but to its durability, which may be a lie but tallies with my experience.) I have found it doesn't do well with generic bobbins… Read more
which is a PITA if you use lots of colours of thread. It is big, loud (mine has a high-pitched whine too), and heavy, but looks good for all that. I would recommend this machine if you are on a budget
Knew it was too good to be true – With decades of sewing experience. I've owned basic Brothers but the price point, one step button hole, all the extra feet and HD decided to treat myself. I should have just spent more money servicing and repairing my old basic model machine. I sew with corduroy, I knew my old machine was on its last legs, but it wasn't a HD machine and it's… Read more
lasted 10 years (with serving and repairs).
My HD machine can only sew on tension 7 or above. It prefers me to use two different brand of threads. It screams error at me when trying to sew through corduroy seams, won't even allow to be manually stitched. Then it decided to stop winding bobbins, sounds like a slipped belt to me. Sounded like that to the Singer Service tech. Mentioned rest of issue to them and they said send it in. So 250km+ to return it and now it's been about a month, I got a call last night, Spotlight has it back.. they cleaned the lint out of the motor. I wonder if this is even my machine, only a 500km trip to find out.
Worst thing is, it's still under warranty but not holding my breath this machine will be fit for my purposes. I wouldn't even donate it to someone!! Been using an Aldi $129 machine since mine disappeared for so long. They are on par except the Aldi snaps less needles and allows you to hand turn through seams. Looks like I've bought a really expensive door stop.
Functional & powerful – I must admit I had some misgivings about the reviews of this machine but I had a chance to grab this at a pretty decent price so I decided to give it a go. I’ve been sewing for decades and did start with a very old singer machine before progressing onto the newer white plastic versions. Out of the box, the machine is pretty light & feels a bit… Read more
like cheaper plastic compared to my trusty Janome myexcel 3018. Upon testing, everything runs smooth. I made a few things to ensure I’m giving it a good test. From soft cottons to thicker denims, it works but a little patience is in order for the folder thicker sections. Sometimes it won’t move so a little manual tugging is required. Even though it touts heavy duty, I wouldn’t expect it to zip through layers of denim like the industrial machines do. The decorative stitches work nicely even though with the lettering, going a bit slower seems to result in nicer stitches. I learnt that when in doubt, go slow. This machine has the ability to go really fast which is handy for long, gathering stitches. Having the digital options, auto thread cutter and thread secure functions are pretty handy. Push button start stop and reverse requires some getting used to if you’re coming from a mechanical machine. I realized that with sewing machines, they’re finicky and quite precise so I learnt a few things. Thread snapping, bunching and not sewing well, you need to re-thread your machine. Check the guide and thread it well. This determines if your machine will produce nice stitches. Your bobbin thread direction and where it goes also matters very much. Each brand, even machine is different. The only things I didn’t like was the foot pedal is really light and flimsy. I will need to find a way to secure it. I can use the push button start/stop but the foot pedal always allows more control. The little box container in front is really tiny compared to most machines. It doesn’t allow for much storage. The janome one has a top storage with molds for each type of foot which can be accessed easily. Bobbin winding is faster and requires less steps than the mechanical one so that’s good. All in all, a nifty machine that comes with quite a few foot options and some simple accessories. If you’re an intermediate sewer looking for an upgrade, this seems to be a good option.
If you want to be annoyed and disappointed go ahead and purchase – I purchased the Singer 6805C and straight out of the box did not work - doesn't back stitch, doesn't tie off at the end of sewing, and because it doesn't back stitch cannot perform any other stitch than a straight line and even then I cannot change the stitch length. Absolutely terrible. Contacted Spotlight to seek a replacement, have been told… Read more
that I now need to go to a store, on my time and my dime, so that they can "assess" whether a replacement is needed for their faulty good provided. I will be asking for a full refund instead. All round bad experience.
It’s ok if get on sale – It’s a basic machine, and I thought it was an ok price on sale to get back into sewing. My machine has a crooked foot. So I am already trying to find a part and taking it back to the store. It’s not the shank so maybe the shaft. All a bit off putting. We will see how customer service is. Show details
Jumps out of timing. Company won't honour warranty or give service advice – Determined to wriggle out of warranty liability by whatever means, just because I have a case open with seller, or whatever other excuse they can think of. The machine worked OK for a few weeks but when I tried to do a button hole, that threw the timing out. So not heavy duty really, and that was only swimwear fabric. Show details
I love this machine. It's sturdy and easy to use – My sewing skills are basic so this machine is perfect for me. It has some bells and whistles and I've used a few. I bought this during lockdown in 2020 and have used it every couple of months so far for basic alterations including zig zag for overlocking seams. Because I don't use it frequently, I have to use the instructions for changing thread… Read more
colour and bobbins but mostly it's pretty simple to use. After having a 50 year old hand me down Singer, this is a breeze. I bought it on sale at Spotlight for $360 so it was a great price too.
Good Workhorse – I have had my machine for four months sewn block out curtains, pouches & makeup bags lots with cork and vinyl feature,dresses, T shirts,key fobs, blouse,bibs etc I'm happy so far think a lot issues with are with new sewers .Speed 1100 stitches a minute has a good speed is noisy but that is power of motor as it can sew through thick fabric and need… Read more
power to do this.Did notice you have turn your hand wheel hook to have the hook in the top position as if don't threads can tangle but on new computerized machine has a button you can press so this happens automatic.Got mine on sale so value for money. Must use correct needles for what you are sewing & use quality thread I have some examples of my sewing.
A little workhorse – I bought my Singer from Spotlight about 5 years ago and couldn’t be happier. I’ve clocked up lots of kilometres and never had any problems. You need the correct needle for the fabric and the correct foot too. Good quality thread is essential. I often change needles. I also take out the bobbin and gently clean around the area with a vacuum cleaner brush. Usually there’s a lot of lint which obstructs the smooth operation of the machine. Show details
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Best sewing machine – I bought my sewing machine singer 4423 with the overlocker 14hd854 eight months ago . they are both powerful fantastic and the serger is very easy to thread (as i followed the instructions in the manual and watched some videos on youtube). Satisfied and happy with My two singer . Show details
Great! Surprised by the negative reviews – I love this machine. I bought it around 9 years ago. Its had a decent work out and is still going strong. I bought this machine as it has metal gears, just about all other domestic machines have plastic gears which wear out in no time with regular use. It plays up every couple of years, then i get it serviced and its good as new. I see some of… Read more
the negative reviews on here are quite recent. I wonder if they've changed their manufacturer since i bought mine. I'm considering buying another one so i can have one set up with a walking foot, so I'll be interested to see if its the same quality.
Seems to work well – Have only used this sewing machine a couple of times for small clothing repairs. This machine did the job well and the additional features appear to be quite good. Happy with the purchase so far. Show details
I replace it and still doesn't work – I bought mine in Jan 2020, stop working. I replaced it, and today the new one stop working again. I wandering is that the reason that it is heavily reduced in price. Show details
Rubbish waste of money – Used it first time to sew a straight plain seam on two pieces of cotton and bobbin carriage broke loose Bought it two wks ago on special Don’t want a replacement prefer my money back Buyer beware Show details
Factory setting of bobbin tension too loose – I collected my new Singer 4423 during the week and I was very disappointed to discover that the factory had set the bobbin tension way too loose. The machine also came with the stitch width set to 3 and the needle position to the right, so initially I thought the needle was off centre as well until I worked it out. The manual does not provide… Read more
instructions for adjusting bobbin tension. It implies the factory setting is correct and should never need adjusting.
Anyway I fixed it myself thanks to a YouTube video. Still very annoying. So if you are experiencing loose or tight bobbin stitches, seams gathering or puckering, or thread breakage, it could be caused by incorrect bobbin tension.
Check out YouTube to find out how to fix it. However, you should not have to.
Is it a not fit for the purpose e.g. to sew, expectation that it would work etc etc – If the product is not 'fit for the purpose''i suggest lodge a complaint with the Department of Fair Trading equivalent in Victoria against Spotlight (find out the proprietor's name address etc). If you paid by credit card you may get your money back - ask for their procedures. If you paid by Paypal contact them for procedures. Do not give up.
Trouble and frustration – The machine is supposed to be able to sew thin 1-2mm leather, but cannot. It skips stitches and sews inconsistent lengths even on fabric, even with a walking foot, correct needle and thread. All this machine has done for me is to sharpen up my hand sewing skills. Show details
Good, solid machine – This is a great machine that sees well and should last a while. The only downside is because it’s made properly it is a little heavy but I guess that’s a small price to pay for a decent machine. Show details
Find out how Singer Heavy Duty compares to other Sewing Machines & Overlockers
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Good on thick fabric – I was after a sewing machine that is powerful enough for thick fabric and not excessively expensive. I got this from spotlight for $300. Seems to work well on my daughter's winter pinafore which killed my old Pfaff 140s, so I'm happy so far. The one step button hole is good too. But their dust cover is so cheaply made, I ended up using my mimco dustbag to cover the sewing machine.. Show details
NOT Discontinued as at Feb 2019 – I just bought this machine from Spotlight Hobart. It arrived by courier today and I have played with it a bit. I don't plan to do any actual sewing right now, so I was just checking out how well it ran etc. I only managed to baulk it at 10 layers of thickish material!!! I'm happy with that :) The instructions on how to thread the spool and the… Read more
bobbin are vague for someone coming from an older machine. The bobbin winding was initially a frustration to me, but I got there in the end. The auto needle threader took some jiggling to get it to sit in the right spot to work. The various sewing stitches work as described. It could have come with some more feet as standard like my old Bernette 730 - that one came with most of the feet listed as optional extras by Singer. The frame may be metal but the covering is plastic. The machine cover is some crappy thin mesh-type rubbish material. Reminds me of the bibs you wear at the dentist - that type of stuff. I was really disappointed in that. It will not last long and I doubt it would keep dust out. For that alone you lose a star Singer. Luckily the old Bernette vinyl cover fits perfectly, so I will use that instead. Note that the 35 year old Bernette vinyl cover is still in perfect condition. After another 35 years the cover Singer just gave me will be long gone and dust! (Yes, I'm a little annoyed about the lack of quality there.) I see this machine as an adequate occasional resource, not anything to get excited about though. It's just a good workhorse for the heavier fabrics, the reason I bought it after all. Also, I waited till I could get the VIP half price on this machine, it's usually $600.00 I also don't see why it's listed as DISCONTINUED, as it is still for sale with Singer today. https://singerco.com.au/product/heavy-duty-4423/
Amazing sewing machine – Really fast solid machine. Stitches really strong and ive had no problems with it. Has all of the functions you need and is perfect for anyone who is quite comfortable with their sewing skills as it has a bit of speed to it Show details
Just the job for thick layers of fabric – Just bought this fabulous machine. After five years of struggling with a fully electronic one which was SO fussy about everything and refused to deal with patchwork bag side seams, this is bliss. It does what it says on the tin and I really do love the 'mechanical' aspect of it too. Not discontinued in New Zealand as far as I know and… Read more
wonderfully sturdy, everything about it is 'easy'. It also sews much faster than my Bernina. Great price, can't fault it :)
Great machine – Purchased machine from spotlight. Is heavy duty and easy to use. Recently cut curtains and sewed them using the Singer. Has standard foots and sewing kit. Doesn't take up to much space in the table. Can sew a ranger of fabrics with different textures and thicknesses. Recommend for occasionally use. Show details
Really good machine – Brilliant machine as far as handling multiple layers of denim.. only thing that has needed replacing was the breast plate, (metal part below the needle).. thread will start to snag. I purchased a new one from ebay.. Machine is running beautifully again. ★★★★ I would recommend a brand new model. Show details
A great heavy duty workhorse – This really is a a robust and powerful machine. It only started to strain when asked to sew through a seam with six layers of denim. Given a reasonable run up, it handled that task too. The machine has all the basic functions with 23 different stitch styles (11 for stretch) plus the usual adjustments of variable length and width for each of these.… Read more
It is not a 'bells and whistles' machine for fancy work but is a solid mechanical ((rather than electronic) work horse.
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Hi Susan, Thank you for contacting Singer Australia. … Read more