Ok! This guide is for you! (THE BUYERS) HELP IN BUYING THE CORRECT MACHINE FOR YOUR APPLICATION.  I have read all of these guides written by sellers of sewing machines. They all started selling machines and were using the title (industrial sewing machine or Industrial strength sewing machine OR HEAVY DUTY SEWING MACHINE) and then seemed to be upset when others started doing the same. I agree that many novices came along thinking they could sell garbage using the same words as the others.These sellers don't last. The title INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH is meant to merely convey that they are of superior work strength and will do the same work in an industrial manner such as every day.A true industrial  machine was meant to do one thing for 8 hours a day 40 hours a week. (It doesn't mean  they are for sewing  shoes ,bridle leather or holsters). This should be remembered when you buy one of these. Do not expect it to sew such Items as saddles,holsters thick dog collars,shoes and bridle leather. A better word would be professional as tailors and such use them to do many stitches. These very powerful machines will not sew more than 1 quarter inch on a day to day basis 8 hours a day for 5 days a week but may sew thicker heavier material once in a while unlike the  machines of the same class made today. They have to be completely cleaned and oiled at the end of each day. Some are even modified to sew longer stitches for leather and heavy materials which I do myself ,but within reason as if you go too far it can mess up the machine. But there are sellers who go too far and even remove the original badge and put a self made sticker on the machine or motor(watchout for the home made (made in JAPAN)motor labels which look really good except for the letters being to big(the 1.5 amp will be really small on a real label).  One seller sells a cheap  Alphasew chinese motor with a ( Very Well done) homemade sticker  on it. I have been in electronics for 28 years so I should know,Plus the Japanese wouldn't use the exact same housing design as the chinese made alphasew motors which used to be ok but are JUNK now! Another seller puts HEAVY DUTY stickers on the machines,Even on beautiful Pfaff 130's and 230’s right on the front. God ! I hate it when someone does that. Don’t buy from someone who does this as they are not in tune with the real beauty if these old machines and are sleeping good at night knowing they are  jipping people. Also sellers who sew aluminum cans etc….. Imagine what that does to the bed,and needle plate. And why would you want to sew thin aluminum. Leather is much harder to sew.You sailmakers know what I mean. Anyway this is what you want to stay away from as well as sellers who put down other unnamed sellers ( Yes, As I just did sorry !! ).Just trying to give you Things to watchout for without going too far. The ebay buying experience should be a pleasant positive one. Not a negative, stress mongering one. Watch out for machines from canada ( some canada sellers are ok but most are not). THE MAIN THING IS…… These machines can be crap or they can be what you need.Especially watch out for the pfaff 230,260,262,360,362-These are awesome machines  but are generally stuck from sitting(a normal problem with these machines which can be corrected but only by a knowledgeable vintage expert. Ask the seller if the zigzag can be adjusted to differents widths, and that, that function works. Write the seller and tell him what you are sewing. If you get a response that tells you their machine will do the job or they tell you what you need then you have a good seller. And if it doesn’t do the job and they said it would, then contact them and try to work it out. Any seller worth his salt will be glad to help you. I don't offer a guarantee as these machines are old and expensive as well as DANGEROUS to ship and I will not fool you buy saying there is a restocking fee or no return shipping, Instead I would rather  put my phone number and email so you can call me or write me  to discuss if the machine is really for your needs in the first place. I would rather loose the sale there rather than after you receive it. I disagree with every guide I have read on the industrial strength sewing machine Matter. I do agree that 75% of the sellers are crooked and using the good sellers words and ideas and many of  these machines are merely shined up and few if any adjustments were made but that goes for every product sold in the world. Some sellers just rub them down with baby oil to make them look shiney and new.You (THE BUYER) has to be given the credit for having a brain and choosing the correct buyer. You need to see a phone number so you can call the seller before spending $150.00---- $1500.00 on one of these machines. You will probably get an answering machine when calling me but I will return your call VERY FAST. Ok about me, I seem to have fallen in love with the pfaff 130’s which are a true industrial machine IE tailoring, costuming ,sails etc… These machines (130’s) started showing up in abundance after I started restoring/Modifying them to like new condition with professionally machined handwheels-handcranks etc.... . I don’t know if I had anything to do with that BUT !!!!!!! You the buyer needs to be careful of the mirrors and tricks. There are a few sellers out there who are copying my ideas(which is the american way) but they do not do it correctly. A couple sellers even machne the handwheel but  it is still not done correctly. A zeusmachine is the best  you can get from ebay or the internet and If you have to wait a few days it means I found something I didn't like before I boxed it up. This is what makes a ZEUSMACHINE the best. Most of these 130s are out of adjustment and in really bad sewing shape. The prettiest ones I have found were in the worst shape. Man! You wouldn’t believe what people have done to these, Most of them were so called sewing technicians who had a shop and dove into your beautiful Pfaff and others were home fix it people. These machines have had every screw and nut turned possible But they may look BEAUTIFUL!!!!. And for some reason people always go for the needle bar. Adjusting the needle bar is the last thing you want to do. Anyway there are many MAJOR adjustments that I have to make and that can take from a wa few days to a month depending on the damage that was done. Also they make the claim that they are all metal gears. All old pfaff 130s used a fiber or even nylon hook helical gear and a nylon zigzag gear which I have never seen worn).I have replaced one Fiber hook helical gear in the whole time I've been doing this.Also you hear bad things about the timing belt which is hard to find,ALOT of them are oil soaked  and won't last ALL of mine will be fine for another 50 years, and they are easily kept dry as long as you do not over oil your machine which is the worst thing you can do to it. WATCH OUT FOR THE UNDER SIDE VIEW THAT SHOWS A DARK TIMING BELT.The straight stitch JAPANESE machines are usually pinned and not many adjustments can even be made. Either they sew great or they don't. Look for lots of pictures AND SEWING SAMPLES but read the ad CLOSELY !!!! . Look for photos backing up the claims of all metal etc.. Also I use large spoked handwheels on my Pfaff 130 and 30 machines and have to specially machine them for the pfaffs. Do not get the wrong impression, The large handwheels are a good idea BUT must be machined properly, I see people putting them on and shaving the bobbin tire down to nothing to get them to fit,This makes the bobbin winder very hard to engauge and a new one will not fit if needed. Once these wheels are moving they have the momentum for heavy sewing. Also I include the lightweight plastic original handwheel for fast  starts and stops. The motors used on these machines are called universal motors as they will run on ac or dc and have the most power for their size but often require starting them off by hand when sewing VERY HEAVY materials . Geared down motors are better at starting off. A  motor made in Tiawan is probably a  really good motor.Not china (PROC)A well cleaned Old Pfaff 1.3 amp motor is better than a new china made 1.5 amp motor as the copper content in the windings of the old pfaff motor is greater, BUT you need to see photo’s of this rebuilt motor in pieces and together or else it is a lie,,,as this is time consuming, requires skill and most sellers will not spend 5 to 8 hours on a motor, and old unrestored motor is dangerous and weak.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also these machines DO NOT have automatic adjusting upper tension as some claim. That is what the tension knob is for. Look for any sign of rust under the machine or on any metal parts. These old machines are something we should  relish and  see the beauty in. They were built during an age of duribility and overcompensation. I see them as  looking  like  the cars of  their day, Heavy with strong parts and thick smooth paint jobs(JAPANING) which was more like pottery than painting. Even the colors on the japanese ones are cool. If you find one of these in  great shape find a collector or seller who appreciates them and will find them a good home. If it is a Pfaff I will certainly find it a good home if not my own.  Good luck to you and your search for Your special Machine.If I can be of any help,Please contact me !! ZEUS