This guide is to help to determine what is a walking foot machine and if a walking foot machine is needed for your type of sewing

A walking foot machine is a lockstitch designed to sew heavy weight materials. The 2 piece foot keeps pressure on the material at all times preventing the material from plowing or slipping. Walking foot machines do not work well on lighter materials. These machines are good for sewing heavy leather, canvas, vinyl, upholstery and many other hard to feed materials. There are many machines being sold on eBay with the words industrial strenght or heavy duty. I am sure there is a place for these machines but they are not industrial. I have had more than a few customers buy these industrial strenght machines only to be disappointed after putting the machine through some hard work. These machine may be ok with the person looking to sew something heavy every once in a while. Use common sence when buying. How long do you think a machine with a 1 amp motor will hold up to heavy use?

There are 3 basic types of lockstitch machines- industrials included. Drop feed, needle feed and compound feed.

Drop Feed- needle moves straight up and down. These machine are good for light to medium materials. Silk, cottons,knits,polyesters. These machines will sew drapes or denim with no problem

Needle Feed- needle makes a semi-circle when penetrating the material. These machines will sew light to heavy weight materials

Compound Feed with Walking foot. These machines were made to sew heavy materials only. Good for sewing auto and boat interiors, leather ,canvas, upholstery etc..

be careful, there are true industial machines with walking foot that are not compound feed- they are drop feed machines with a walking foot added. these machines usually sell for a lot less than a compound feed machine- know what you are buying before you bid

Good Luck

Atlantic Sewing Machine