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Huskylock s25 – Review

Stitchwitch | Posted in General Discussion on

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.

Replies

  1. kelker | | #1

    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.

    1. Stitchwitch | | #3

      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.

       

    2. SarahSews | | #4

      I had thought the S21 does the coverstitch? I need to go and read that again...

    3. SarahSews | | #6

      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.

    4. PaigeODay | | #19

      s21 and s25 Coverstitch & Free Arm

      I have the sales brochure here, and it shows that both the s21 and s25 will do a coverstitch, including narrow 2 row, wide 2 row, and triple row. Also, it says that neither the s21 nor the s25 have a free arm.

  2. meg | | #2

    May I suggest that you go to http://www.patternreview.com; no doubt there'll be a review or two of that machine you're looking at.

    1. SarahSews | | #5

      Nope..

      No review *yet*

  3. User avater
    genevieve | | #7

    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.

    1. siama63 | | #8

      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 !!!

  4. Palady | | #9

    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/

    1. Teifi | | #10

      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

      1. Palady | | #11

        Delighted to read you're
        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

        1. Hartline | | #12

          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.

          1. Hartline | | #13

            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.

  5. Stitchwitch | | #14

    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.

    1. DSwindle69 | | #15

      purchased S25,about a month ago, most satisfied

      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

  6. olivesmom | | #16

    s25
    I recently purchased the Viking S25 serger and I love it. It can do many varieties of stitches and I it is a quiet machine.

    I learned to thread it pretty quickly and if you have had experience on other machines before this should be a breeze for you. It adjusts tension automatically also.

    I would test one out and compare. Whats good for me might not be good for you. Like the previous poster the only downfall I can find is the position of the presser foot lever.

    1. albert.thomas | | #17

      s25

      olivesmom wrote:I recently purchased the Viking S25 serger and I love it. It can do many varieties of stitches and I it is a quiet machine. I learned to thread it pretty quickly and if you have had experience on other machines before this should be a breeze for you. It adjusts tension automatically also. I would test one out and compare. Whats good for me might not be good for you. Like the previous poster the only downfall I can find is the position of the presser foot lever.

      yes I purchased Viking S25 serger last year.It is working very well till now. I also love it.

  7. christopher3 | | #18

    viking s25

    I have a s25 husklock which i enjoy the only problem that i have with it is when i want to do the 4 THREAD SAFETY STITCH WIDE i cannot understand when it says converter required i thought the converter was only used on a 2 THREAD can anyone help me on this one

    Thanks christopher3

    1. dionbeukes | | #20

      4 thread safety stitch,

      Yes, the 4 thread safety stitch is a 2 thread overlock which you will need your converter for and a 2 thread chain stitch which makes 4. You have 4 thread overlock confused with 4 thread safety stitch. (Other manufacturers that do not make 5 thread overlockers call the 4 thread overlock a 4 thread safety stitch)

      So for a 2 needle 4 thread overlock you do not need the converter, (meaning you use the 2 back needles, no converter, lover looper and upper looper.

      4 thread safety stitch wide = left back needle, lower looper with thread, upper looper with converter, and then thread in chain stitch looper, and front needle of your choice, most proabably either the middle front or left front needle. (the right front needle will maybe be too close to the overlock needle, making the 2 stithces too close to each other) 

      Hopes that makes sense.

  8. dionbeukes | | #21

    Husqvarna Huskylock S25 review.

    I read all the reviews on this post and thought I just have to create a profile and post mine.

    First of all I have been working with quite a lot of overlockers through the years and I can tell you that I was not impressed with the S25.

    I was doing a lot of research before I bought this overlocker, and from the beginning were so dissapointed, and thought what shall I do about this. 3 weeks passed and then I decided to go back to my dealer and tell him that I am not happy with the machine and that I wish to return it. He did not hesitate and took the machine back with no questions asked. I paid £1000,00 for it which is a lot of money for a machine that only basically does 2 functions, overlock and coverstitch.

    Just to clarify something that I have read in some of the other posts, Singer did not buy Husqvarna, its the other way round. Husqvarna bought out Singer and severly diminished the model range of all the singer machines, Singer only make entry level machines now. Husqvarna bought Pfaff as well. The Pfaff Coverlock 4.0 is exactly the same machine as the Husqvarna S25, all the Chassis and mechanical parts are exactly the same, its only the outside covers thats different. Its the same machine ask any sewing machine mechanic to compare the 2 and he/she will tell you that its the same machine. Have a look at all the Pfaff machines, this goes for the sewing/embroidery machines as well as all the overlockers. The Pfaff Creative Sensation top of the range machine is exactly the same machine as the Husqvarna Designer Diamond. Even the same hoops will fit the different machines. To get to Elna, Elna used to make good machines that were made in Switzerland, but were bought out by Janome which is a Japanese manufacturer. For the past 10 years or so NO Elna machine is an ELNA anymore, if you have a look at the Janome machines you will see the similarities between Elna and Janomes, its so blatand its unreal.

    All this said, many of the international sewing machine manufacturers, sometimes contracts out the manufacture of an overlocker or or a range of overlockers to companies that manufacture in Japan & China. This goes for the Husqvarna Huskylock 936 which was made by Brother and is the same as the Brother 9800LD and same goes for Empisal machines which you will only find in South Africa which is also made by Brother and then just an Empisal Badge put on it, hence Brother have no interest in selling sewing machines in South Africa as they sell Empisal rebranded machines there. 

    To get back to the S25, on first impressions the machine looks great, touch screen controls for differential feed and stitch lenght, electronic setting of all 5 tensions for the 5 threads. And what sold the machine to me initially is the big space to the right of the needle which make sense when you want to use your machine's coverstitch capability.

    Now to get to the cons, not only was this mentioned by other reviewers, but I need to say it again. The machine is terribly noisy, and the stitch quality is not great for the price of this machine. According to my opinion the motor is not up to the job, as the machine makes a very loud knocking sound when you try to overlock slightly heavier fabrics, the same noise you will hear sometimes on other overlockers when your blades & needles are getting blunt. This overlocker is supposed to stitch together 2 layers of denim without a problem, I havent even tried to do that. The S25 does not come close to the quality of the previous model 936, I know I have one, and my mother has a Brother 9800LD which is the same machine. The machine's finish is poor. The needleplate does not meet flush with the rest of the sewing bed. The front cover is flimsy plastic and does not line up to the right of the machine surface and will definitely not stand the test of time believe me. Overall this is just a very cheaply made, very plastic machine that is not worth the price tag of a £1000,00. The machine is made in Taiwan as well, its printed on the box which says a lot. It says Designed in Sweden, anyway there we are. I took it back and got something else instead.

    Just to say, Bernina still makes the best machines, they are definitely the rolls royce of sewing machines. A few months ago I bought a Bernina 830 sewing/embroidery machine brand new from my dealer after many many months of research. (I own a Husqvarna Designer 1 and a Husqvarna 400 Computer sewing machine as well. ) The quality is just amazing, the machine is solid, the bobbin mechanism is stainless steel, as going for the sewing surface its stainless steel as well, the list goes on and on, and not to mention Bernina sewing machines are the only machines on the market with a 7 year full parts & labour guarantee. I mean come on where does this compare to all the other machines that only gives you 2 years, for a few hundred pounds more you get a much better deal. Ask any Bernina owner, this is my first Bernina and I am not one bit sorry I bought it. 

    To come back to the S25 overlocker, thankfully my dealer here where I live is a Husqvarna, Singer, Silver and Bernina dealer, and maybe because I spent £6400,00 on a sewing machine he decided to take the overlocker back without asking me any questions. 

    I have decided to get the Bernina 1300mdc overlocker as a replacement to the S25, which is a machine made by JUKI and is the same model as the JUKI MO-735, but the quality compares to that of Bernina. I am sure Bernina will keep a very watchfull eye on the manufacturing of that machine.

    Just some more information, Bernina has just launched a new range of Overlockers in USA, which will have the same programmable foot pedals as the Bernina machines, which might made me think that this new range will be designed and manufactured by Bernina themselves. They will launch the new overlockers in 2014 in the rest of the World, so maybe wait before you want to buy a overlocker/coverstitch machine and see what Bernina has to offer.

  9. Msbling | | #22

    Husky s25 I've got issues

    Hi guys, I was hoping that some of you husky owners might be able to give me a pointer or two on how to,get the fabric out easily from the needles and the foot when the s25 is in coverstitch mode.

    iive found the YouTube video that shows how to pull the needle threads down , but it still seems harder than it should be, are their any other tricks?

    1. kaylez | | #24

      Coverstitch

      I have an old Huskylock that does the cover stitch. I manually reverse the stiching when I finish by turning the wheel backwards to release the threads. This is a tip they taught when I bought the serger. I would expect this to work on all their coverstitch machines, but I may be wrong. It is an easy thing to try.

  10. 17shammrocks | | #23

    S25 OVERLOCKER

    Hello all, if you're interested in this machine which i am,  go to youtube, there's a continuous stream of videos 1-30+ videos to view.  They are fantastic, from opening the box to ....... I watched about 20 of them.   Have a look!

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