Reliable 2000U-33 Barracuda Portable Zig-Zag Walking-Foot Sewing Machine

by Reliable

Product Features

• Zig-zag walking-foot sewing machine with maximum speed of 800 rpm
• Spring-loaded reverse; oscillating shuttle hook; built-in speed reducer for higher torque
• Piping foot, outside zipper foot, and high-lift walking foot; top and bottom feed
• Includes foot controller and 12-1/2-by-6-inch extension table with 2 folding legs
• Measures 14 by 7 by 12 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.5 x 9 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 41.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0015VGSI6
• Item model number: 2000U-33
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,215 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing (See Top 100 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed for boat owners, serious hobbyists, and small businesses, this zig-zag walking-foot sewing machine delivers remarkable versatility. Its stitch quality compares to an industrial machine's, for a fraction of the price, plus it provides the added bonus of a zig-zag stitch. To help get the job done faster, the unit also comes with a powerful built-in motor, a maximum sewing speed of 800 rpm, spring-loaded reverse, an oscillating shuttle hook, and a piping (welting) foot to do 1/8-inch > 3/16-inch piping, plus an additional outside zipper foot. The machine uses industrial-standard 135-by-17 needles, and it also offers a high-lift walking foot with a 1/4-inch clearance underneath the foot, a built-in speed reducer for higher torque on heavy material, and toothed belts and pulleys to prevent slippage. Other details include top and bottom feed, a 0 to 6 mm stitch length, up to 4 stitches per inch, an 8 mm stitch width, a pressure foot lift (by hand 9 mm, by knee 8 mm), a 7-inch work space, and a 14-1/2-inch bed size. Accessories include a foot controller and a 12-1/2-by-6-inch extension table with two folding legs. Housed in durable metal with a convenient carrying handle for portability, the sewing machine measures 14 by 7 by 12 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Product Description

BARRACUDA™ 2000U-33 - The Barracuda zig-zag walking foot machine is a remarkably versatile machine. Designed for boat owners, serious hobbyists, and small businesses, the Barracuda does so much, for so little. Flexibility and performance. The stitch quality is comparable to an industrial machine, for a fraction of the price... plus the added bonus of a zig-zag stitch, now that’s value! Features to help you get the job done faster.. All of the convenience features are standard to make your job easier; reverse lever, oscillating shuttle hook, piping feet (1/8” > 3/16”) and of course our trusted reputation for building quality, long lasting equipment.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A few things need upgrades, March 1, 2010

By 

boober&puzz (Key West) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reliable 2000U-33 Barracuda Portable Zig-Zag Walking-Foot Sewing Machine (Kitchen)

I'm no an expert at sewing but have had some good experiences with an older rock-solid Singer zigzag. This machine is the basic do-it-yourself entry-level zig-zag walking foot capable of handling heavier fabrics and sails. It is nearly identical to those sold under many different names. God luck deciphering which ones are made in China or Taiwan, the latter supposedly a bit better made. A fine-tuned version (at a significantly higher price) is available from Sailrite (beware some of the sleight-of-hand discounters selling that brand though Sailrite themselves are highly reputable).

I received mine a week ago and have just done a couple of practice projects with 1" webbing and 6-8 oz. duck. I'm finding that the machine gets hung up often. I initially thought it was from using the wrong sized needle or simply too much fabric. Through experimentation culminating with turning by hand with no fabric or thread, I've found that the clutch mechanism in this thing can barely overcome the mechanical resistance of the spring-loaded walking presser foot, even when not actually sewing. I followed the manual instructions and rotated the clutch washer 180º and I guess it's another one of those help suggestions designed simply to waste your time.

I've ordered the Sailrite Monster II balance wheel and, based on my initial experiences, think a modification like that is an absolute necessity. It's not a refinement or luxury but a requirement for this machine to be functional as the factory clutch is pure rubbish. Right now, I have it cranked down so tight I can't unscrew it, but it still slips constantly.

My only other complaint is minor. The foot controller is pretty flimsy but that's not a surprise. It's asinine though that the cord from the machine to the foot controller is so short it barely reaches the floor from a kindergarten-sized table. The A/C plug end is plenty long. That's just very sloppy quality control and I'm going to have to splice a longer wire, simple really, but not something most people would want to deal with.

Bottom line, if you plan to add an enhanced balance wheel with positive mechanical engagement, everything else seems reasonably functional and solid. If you think you can use this as shipped, in my opinion, not a good choice.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Liking this machine, April 13, 2011

By 

JohnnyC "JC" (Guilford, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reliable 2000U-33 Barracuda Portable Zig-Zag Walking-Foot Sewing Machine (Kitchen)

I was a little worried about buying this machine. The Sailrite machine gets such great reviews, and everywhere I looked at the Relaible machine online this same single review kept showing up bashing it. I couldn't afford $900 for the Sailrite. When I saw the Reliable machine was available at the Defender Industries annual spring sale I went and looked at it. A liveaboard cruising sailor I met at Defender that day owned a Sailrite and had been using it for years. We went over the Reliable machine together and it looked good. He felt it was built the same inside and out as his machine, (including the foot control). At $450 this machine was literally half the price of the Sailrite, and I bought it.
This machine does not come with a carrying/storage case. the Sailrite does, and the case is a bit over $100 to buy separately.
This machine comes with a very basic manual. I think the Sailrite comes with several reference manuals which look like they could be very helpful.
I emailed customer service at Reliable (its in Canada) before buying this machine and got a courteous reply to my question within an hour (I had asked the motor size - it wasn't listed anywhere I could find it online - it is 1.5 amps). A thorough online search leaves no doubt the customer service on Sailrite is top notch.
I had no trouble sewing multiple layers of heavy fabric with the Reliable 2000U Barracuda machine. It went through 8 layers of Topgun plus a layer of webbing without a hitch. Using the Sailrite anchor riding sail kit and the Barracuda sewing machine, making an anchor riding sail was a breeze! The clutch did not slip at all.
My wife's regular sewing machine is an old Singer Featherweight. It is both beautiful to look at and a pleasure to work with. The fit and finish on the Barracuda is not up to that of the old Singer. The Reliable is not art, but so far it looks to be a solid heavy duty sewing machine well suited for sewing Sunbrella, Sailcloth and canvas.
After a week and a half owning the machine and a single large project (riding sail) and several smaller projects (tool roll, storage bag for auto jumper cables) I am happy with this purchase so far. I would recommend this machine to a friend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars decent product., August 5, 2011

By 

M. Koenig (Miami) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reliable 2000U-33 Barracuda Portable Zig-Zag Walking-Foot Sewing Machine (Kitchen)

"JC's" review helped my decision and he was almost right. This is a decent product. Not a Sailrite, not the bottom , just above the middle well worth the money. Unfortunately the plastic tray and base are just flimsy and not matching the quality of the machine, therefore useless. Just make a wood base for it (like a Sailrite). First thing: tighten the clutch before use. Blame the global economy, half the machine parts read "Singer". 120 yards triple layer of 8.25oz WM Marine fabric with one layer of heavy 1" webbing later confirms that it works just fine! 6 layers of WM Marine fabric with two layers of heavy 1" webbing went with some eventual complaint. It took some helping the wheel @ 4 layers of webbing & 6 layers of WM Marine fabric to start a corner. Still, good torque and penetration. I do need to tweak the tension and some other minor details , try other materials etc. but so far so good. Use EYE protection specially when working with many layers !