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Huskylock s25 - Review
I am interested in purchasing this serger. Can anyone perhaps give me a review on this serger ? I think it replaces the old Husqvarna Viking 936 serger.
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(post #24142, reply #1 of 16)
I have the Huskeylock s21 and like it alot. I've thought about trading my 5-month old s21 in on the s25 because it is suppose to do a cover stitch which I'd like to have, however, the s25 doesn't have a free arm for working with sleeves or smaller areas. The sales people tell me that it isn't a problem to serge or hem a sleeve (at the wrist) without a free arm, however, none of them are willing to let me watch them do it.
(post #24142, reply #3 of 16)
Thnak you for the reply. I'm not too concerned about the free arm, I normally just sew on the inside of the circle, or if it is very small I just do it like overlocking a flat seam. Is the stitch quality good and is the threading easy ? I'm excited about the S25's touch screen and the sewing advisor. I have the Husqvarna Viking SE and I just love the Sewing Advisor. Most of all it is the only overlocker with space to the right of the needle. I currently have a BERNINA serger and find it very limiting when doing coverstiching or chainstitching as you can only stitch along the edges of garments.
Hi sorry to bump in here. I (post #24142, reply #6 of 16)
Hi sorry to bump in here.
I am looking into buying the S21 and have wondered the samething ...Review??!!...
I have looked on the pattern review but nothing Yet.
Does the S21 have a free arm????
You said you had that machine and the S25 does not have the free arm so I took that to mean your S21 does??
That is a added bonus for me if it does.
I have heard they are Very quiet~
I am going into my dealer next week for a demo run.
I had thought the S21 does (post #24142, reply #4 of 16)
I had thought the S21 does the coverstitch? I need to go and read that again...
(post #24142, reply #2 of 16)
May I suggest that you go to www.patternreview.com; no doubt there'll be a review or two of that machine you're looking at.
Nope.. No review *yet* (post #24142, reply #5 of 16)
Nope..
No review *yet*
I have the Husky 926 - if (post #24142, reply #7 of 16)
I have the Husky 926 - if buying again I would defintely buy a separate cover stitch machine - it's a pest to change over - not sure how complex it is on the s25.
the s serger machines are not (post #24142, reply #8 of 16)
the s serger machines are not the old vikings like 910 936 vikings . singer sewing machine now is part or all of viking to what i was told by a dealer. make sure you ask where they service the machines like service and repairs . i was told they have to be sent out of state taking app. days turn around time . this is if you buy from a so called corporate viking store like in joannes . look for a independent dealer who repairs in house . i learned this all when shopping for a new serger last summer . No i did not buy one of these s series . i bought a janome top of line 4 thread seperate cover stitch when the 1000 were closing out last summer . cheap to !!!
Catching up after being (post #24142, reply #9 of 16)
Catching up after being off-line so this may be missed.
The 936 group has posts on the subject. As happens they're varied. If any chooses to join to read messages, the URL follows.
nepa
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Viking936users/
Hi Not a direct answer to (post #24142, reply #10 of 16)
Hi
Not a direct answer to your question but I recently bought the Huskylock S15, which is the 'baby brother' to the model you are considering.
Here is my experience as some of it will be relevant to all models, so I hope it helps.
The S15 is a neat looking machine which I have found easy to thread. It comes with a DVD threading guide but it is actually pretty easy without using that.
I find it pretty quiet to run and easy to clean and oil. Mine came with a selection of free feet but I have to confess I haven't tried these yet.
The instruction book is great and the machine gives flawless results on all sorts of fabrics (including the 'toughies')as long as you follow the settings advice carefully (again it is really clear).
The S15 does have a free arm (assuming this means being able to remove section to do sleeves? - I am a bit of a sewing novice!)
In terms of stitches mine does 2,3 and 4 thread overlock. It will do 2 and 3 thread rolled edge, narrow edge and flatlock seams too. The quality of all those I have tried is first rate.
Unless I do something particularly stupid the machine never gets snarled up and it runs at 1300 stitches a minute - more than fast enough for me. In fact a little alarming at first but, as I said, I am a bit of a novice.
I have a few small criticisms of the S15, which I would check out on S25, before you buy:
1. The bobbin rests feel a bit flimsy to me. This isn't a problem if it is just to sit in your sewing room but might matter if you plan to move it regularly. I am not sure these would stand up to a lot of moving around (say in a carry case) without cracking.
2. The drop down front is a bit intransigent at first and can be a bit awkward to get down and get back up into position. Given how great the rest of the engineering is, this could definitely do with a bit more thought from Husqvarna.
3. The foot pedal works fine and has a reasonable response to changes in pressure (although not as precise as my sewing machine), but you may find yourself looking at it in slight disbelief. It is shiny black plastic and looks very like the one my Mum had on her 1960 Pfaff sewing machine!
4. The tweezers which come in the pack with it are completely useless. You do need a pair for threading so I would buy a precision set, assuming you don't already have some(around £5 - £6 in the UK), as it will save a lot of cussing!
Otherwise this is certainly a great machine and I would definitely buy it again.
Colleen
Delighted to read you're (post #24142, reply #11 of 16)
Delighted to read you're satisfied with your s15.
As best as I know Viking/Huqvarna sold to the company now making the machines under Singer name. Any buying a machine with this name is buying just that. The name. the quality once attirbuted to Singer is long gone.
What was once Sewdish made is now done elswhere. I've read China. Taiwan, & Singapore. Would guess it could be a combination of places.
May you continue to enjoy your model.
nepa
I am interested in the (post #24142, reply #12 of 16)
I am interested in the Huskylock s-2, and I was told it has a coverstitch! Rare for a mid level machine. Any comments on this machine would be appreciated...before I buy either a Bernina or Viking.
A quick addition to my prior (post #24142, reply #13 of 16)
A quick addition to my prior comment, I was told the parts were made in sweden, assembled in China -- for Huskylock s-21. Bernina is made by Juki in Japan as far as I know. The assembly might also be in China.
I purchased the S25 and this (post #24142, reply #14 of 16)
I purchased the S25 and this is what I think. I like the space to the right of the needle, not many sergers have this. The serger also comes with an extention table, which comes in handy. It is very easy to thread, especially the loopers. The conversion from normal serging to the cverstitch and chainstitch is VERY easy.
I have a rather long list of what I don't like. The presserfoot lift is behind the presserfoor and is not situated in the same position as the 936. This means you are always lookig for it and you need to use you left had to operate the lever. This is very annoying. The machine is VERY noisy. It sounds like a World War II Spitfire ! I beleive none of the sergers, even the BERNINA, were made in Sweden or are made in Switzerland. Sergers are ALL made in the East because it is very labour intensive. I must say, so far my stitch quality has been good and the tension has been fine but not brilliant, as you would expect from one of the most expensive sergers on the market.
To be honest, I expected more. I also hate the cheap plastic on Husqvarna Viking machines these days. I seriously doubt the longevity of these machines. As a sewing machine I have the Husqvarna Viking SE which is just BRILLIANT. It is truly my dream machine. I will not be purchasing a Husqvarna Viking whilst they are under the SINGER brand. I'm from South Africa and thankfully I have a wonderful dealer. If it wasn't for her I would not buy Husqvarna Viking products.
It is such a pity because it use to be such a wonderful product. I would not recommend this machine and the coverstitch and chainstitch functions on sergers are overrated in my opinion. You need an industrial machine for a proper job. Stick to the tried and tested twin needle and save yourselves A LOT OF $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Husqvarna Viking will, if not already, pay the price for selling us out to the world of cheap "toy-plastic" products. BERNINA is the only real quality product remaining but unfortanately it does not inspire me like my SE does. I will just se till she cannot anymore.
I have heard very good things about the ELNA sergers and you can get about the same for half the price. I also think Made in Japan is FAR better than made in China. I had the TOL BERNINA serger and the coverstitch and chainstitch are also useless, but for everyday overlocking it is a good machine and much quieter than the S25.
Yes, I do have buyers remorse.
purchased S25,about a month ago, most satisfied (post #24142, reply #15 of 16)
I have had a husquvarna viking sewing machine and surger since 1996, and i traded in my 936 that I purchased in 2002, it was still in very good condition, I only had it adjusted from time to time, the new surger makes a great stitch and threads much easier, two new improvements is the cover stitch is much easier to set up, also the chain stitch, my dealer has a very good in house machinest.
The only thing about the S25, I don't like is where the presser foot lift is, but I think it is like any thing new , its a matter of getting used to
s25 (post #24142, reply #16 of 16)