The Beast.

[Grebo]

One of the sail repair / making machines at the Volvo Ocean Race Village.
Driven by compressed air, portable as well, fits nicely into it's little 40 foot shipping container.  :P

I will not be getting my pinkies any where near it   :o

May be this little one would be better.



Suzi

[JuneC]

 :o  Holy Cow!  I could stitch up my ripped jeans on that thing - without taking them off. 

June

[Gregg @ Keystone Sewing]

We come across these quite a bit.  Seiko/Consew SKZ-6 head, cut, lengthened, and on one machine raised arm.  Only a few companies in the world who would do this kind of work on sail making machines.  One seems to have an older Jentchman (sp.) puller.  Not as exotic as it may look, to me anyways around these parts.  Certainly not something a canvas or upholstery guy would be able to use.  Sail making machines of this type get very expensive very quickly. 

[Grebo]

The Sanya team have one even bigger  :o but I haven't sneaked a piccy yet  ;D

Suzi

[fragged8]

y thanks Grebo, makes me feel a whole lot better about
getting rid of my long arm  :'(

[bobbin]

What sorts of operations are they performing with that set up, Grebo?  It's not a zig-zag or a triple throw machine is it?  I was thinking it might be used to along the leech, luff (up toward the head of the sail) or esp. the foot where multiple thickness (reinforcements) add a lot of bulk to any stitching chore?

A good friend of mine runs the canvas dep't. in a very nice sail loft and when I went up to check out his new digs I was blown away by some of the specialized machinery in the place.  VERY cool, indeed. 

[Grebo]

I am not sure bobbin, I will try & get another nosy about before they get it all packed up.
They have one machine which is soley for sewing through the sail headboards.  :o Needles like 6" nails.

Suzi