startup embroidery equipment advice

[Shanarchy]

I am trying to expand into embroidery. We don't have a huge budget, or a huge call for it yet, so I'm thinking a basic single head would be fine to start with. I have an old Melco EMC10, and had a tech at my shop the other day. Looks like its' going to need a little work. I'm thinking of trying to find something a little newer to get started with.

Thoughts on Brother machines? There is a Brother BES-4160A ($3000) for sale a few hours away. Also a Brother BES1210AC ($3500). Good? Bad?

Or other thoughts of what I should look for?

[dirkdiggler]

Barudan and ONLY Barudan.  MY OPINION.

[stitches4815]

I understand about not having the cash nor the huge business for anything larger than a single head, but when we started our business we went straight for a 4 head machine.  The reason was we didn't want to get slapped with a huge order and then spend several days trying to get it out because we were only sewing one at a time.  Then the other reason was we didn't want to go through buying a larger machine down the road.  You will be surprised once you start advertising embroidery how busy you will get.  I would reccomend either a Tajima or Barudan.

[mk162]

I think the brothers sew fine, but they are not as good of a machine as Tajima or Barudan.  If I were to buy one today, it would be one of those.

[GraphicDisorder]

Barudan and ONLY Barudan.  MY OPINION.

Knowing what I know know. Pretty much agree. 

Tajima is also good and you can build your business on machines like SWF like I did, they do fine work.  They are not as fast or as good as Barudan or Tajima.

I would not be given a Brother not that you can't start there but I just wouldn't.

[Shanarchy]

My thought was Tajima and Barudan are the best. And I would definitely rather get a a 2 head in one of those, but just can't spare the cash now.

I'd rather not wait on getting the embroidery going. So my hopes was a single head for under $5000. Ideally half that, but I also don't want to be dealing with old garbage that is going to be more difficult to learn on. I also want to be sure to avoid something that will be very prone to breaking down.

[GraphicDisorder]

My thought was Tajima and Barudan are the best. And I would definitely rather get a a 2 head in one of those, but just can't spare the cash now.

I'd rather not wait on getting the embroidery going. So my hopes was a single head for under $5000. Ideally half that, but I also don't want to be dealing with old garbage that is going to be more difficult to learn on. I also want to be sure to avoid something that will be very prone to breaking down.

Don't forget software, a lot of machines that are used will not come with any real good software.  You can easily spend 1k-15k on software that is good for embroidery digitizing.  Unless you plan to send out your digitizing.  Which is a option. 

[Prosperi-Tees]

What everyone has been telling me for years and I still haven't heeded the advice. Buy bigger and lease it if you don't have the cash.

[3Deep]

The best advice I got was from a lady that was selling a machine, she ask me did I own a machine now No, did I ever operate a machine No, then she said this one is not for you and I advice you to buy a new machine and get training and all the good stuff that comes with a new machine just in case you have problems you'll have someone to help you.  So I got a lease and bought a machine local and have not look back.

darryl

[dirkdiggler]

14 years of Tajima under my belt, but when I saw how much better and more detailed the Barudan would sew, I jumped ship and would never look back.