Singer Heavy Duty 4411 and 4452 Review

During a visit to the Gold Coast Sewing and Vacuum Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, I had an opportunity to review a couple of heavy duty Singer sewing machines… the basic 4411 and the newly released 4452.

According to Brad Parker, proprietor of Gold Coast, Singer offers several different models in its Heavy Duty line. The 4411 is the basic heavy duty mechanical sewing machine, offering 11 stitch options.

Singer Heavy Duty 4411 and 4452

The 4452, however, although it is a mechanical sewing machine as well, offers a few additional features, some only found on electronic or computerized models – including an automatic needle threader and a one step buttonhole.

At A Glance

All of the Singer Heavy Duty sewing machines look pretty much alike. They are all grey with red and white markings.

Grey with red and white markings

These sewing machines are truly heavy duty, with metal construction, a metal bed and dials to control stitch selection, stitch length and width, needle position and tension.

The needle plate has seam guides etched on both sides of the needle and there is a drop in bobbin with a see through cover and a reverse stitch lever above the needle.

A drop in bobbin with a see through cover

The sewing machines in the Singer Heavy Duty line are all outfitted with a series of dials that control all of its functions. On top, there are three large dials.

From left to right, these dials control the tension, needle position and stitch width. On the front column are the stitch selection and stitch length control dial.

On the right side, beneath the balance wheel, there is a small dial to adjust the width of the buttonhole stitches.

Features

• 11 decorative and utility stitch options (4411)
  • 6 utility stitches
  • 4 decorative stitches
  • 1 four step automatic buttonhole
• 32 decorative and utility stitch options (4452)
  • 6 utility stitches
  • 7 stretch stitches
  • 18 decorative stitches
  • 1 automatic buttonhole
• Reverse stitch
• Drop in bobbin
• Free arm
• On board accessory storage
• Adjustable presser foot pressure
• Adjustable stitch length and width
• Extra high presser foot lifter
• Sews up to 1100 stitches per minute
• 3 needle positions
• Automatic needle threader (4452)

Working on the Singer Heavy Duty 4411 and 4452

Following the on board threading guides make threading the Singer heavy Duty sewing machines as simple and uncomplicated as can be.

Winding the drop in bobbin and putting it in place is equally as easy… so easy in fact, that a child in elementary school could easily handle the tasks.

Because of the speed that this machine is capable of, however, I do not recommend its use by youngsters or people of any age who are not accustomed to and comfortable with working on sewing machines.

The convenient dials make selecting stitches easy

The convenient dials make selecting stitches, changing the needle position and adjusting the stitch length and width as fast and easy as possible. Simply turn the dials to the desired settings and the job is done.

The large metal bed makes the Singer Heavy Duty sewing machines sturdy and durable, capable of handling heavy fabric, thick leather and anything you might want to sew.

The adjustable presser foot pressure is ideal because you can also sew delicate fabrics such as silk with equal quality. As with any metal sewing machine, the heavy duty Singers are not lightweight. They are not very large, but definitely not designed to be what anyone might mistakenly call ‘portable’.

The quality of the stitches produced on these machines is consistently good… reminiscent of the Singer sewing machines our mothers and grandmothers had.

Stitches produced are consistently good

The stitches are so well defined, I was tempted to question whether or not they were actually made on these machines. There is no vibration and a minimum amount of noise.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• 4 Snap on presser feet:
  • All-purpose foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Buttonhole foot
  • Button sewing foot
• Seam ripper/lint brush
• Quilting guide
• Needles
• Bobbins
• Screwdriver
• Auxiliary spool pin
• Spool pin felt
• Dust cover
• Owner’s manual
• Bonus heavy duty accessories (4452)
  • Even feed/walking foot
  • Non-stick foot
  • Clearance plate
  • Heavy duty needles – size 16

Owner’s manual

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

When you stop and take a good look at the Singer Heavy Duty sewing machines, you can quickly see that they are actually very good at what they are built to do.

They can handle heavy fabrics as well as delicates. The stitch quality is excellent. They are faster than nearly every sewing machine built for home use and they are sturdily built. The metal construction and solid frame guarantee vibration free sewing.

The noise level is acceptable in that you cannot expect an all metal machine to be whisper quiet, but with proper care and lubrication, you will be able to work on this machine without someone having to shout when they try to speak to you.

A machine that can sew this fast is definitely not for the faint at heart. Because Singer Heavy Duty sewing machines are capable of sewing at such high speeds [up to 1100 stitches per minute], I do not recommend their use by children or beginners of any age.

These machines could very well be classified as ‘industrial’ meaning that they are best suited for commercial use. The weight, speed and stitch quality are certainly good enough for a tailor or dressmaker’s shop. I could easily see one of these machines being used to make and/or repair boat sails.

Brad Parker, the owner/operator of Gold Coast Sewing and Vacuum told me that he has one customer who uses hers for making shoes… which brings me to the question most people have…. longevity.

At one time, Singer sewing machines could be counted on to last for decades. I have a sewing buddy who inherited her Singer from her grandmother.

Although she has other machines, that old Singer is her preferred machine because of the stitch quality and durability. In the mid 1980s, I purchased a Singer from JoAnn Fabrics.

It worked great for a couple of years then it spent more time with the repairman than it did with me. Eventually, I sold it at a yard sale for $5 and was glad to be rid of it.

Only time will tell if the new Singer Heavy Duty sewing machines will turn into heirlooms or end up on the junk pile after a few years of service.

After reviewing these two, however, I have a feeling that they will be around for a very long time. Computerized and electronic sewing machines are ideal choices for people who want to have all the conveniences that they offer.

In order to maintain their efficiency and to guarantee that they continue to operate at their peak performance levels, it is necessary to have them serviced at least once a year.

This is not a bad thing. After all, as one sewing machine dealer pointed out to me. “You have to take your car to be tuned up and have the oil changed”. So why not do the same for your sewing machine?

All metal mechanical sewing machine

The major advantage of owning an all metal mechanical sewing machine is that you can sew just about anything and everything on it. You are not required to take it to a service professional nearly as often.

In addition to the economic advantages of not having to take it in for servicing as often, you have the added savings of a more affordable acquisition cost. Singer Heavy Duty sewing machines range in cost from about $200 to $450.

Although they are not in my opinion suitable for use by beginners or children, these machines are ideal for the busy home sewing room as well as the sewing professional who is in the market for a sturdy, affordable machine to get your home based business up and running.

When considering the benefits and advantages of a mechanical sewing machine for making clothes and accessories from scarves and hats to bags and shoes as well as home décor items from toss pillows to curtains and drapes to slipcovers for upholstered furniture at home, there is simply no contest.

With the sewing machines in the Singer Heavy Duty line, you cannot expect to have access to hundreds and hundreds of different stitch options like you would with a computerized sewing machine.

Nor should you expect to be able to do perform all of the embroidery and quilting functions that a computerized sewing machine can offer. What you can expect is smooth, high speed sewing and superior stitch quality at an affordable price.