Which industrial sewing machine is right for you? Lockstitch, walking foot, or triple feed

This is the question I get asked most often in-store and online: "Gianluca, which industrial machine should I get?".
The answer depends on what you need to sew, and it's not a convenient answer; that's just how it works. Different machines solve different problems.
I'll explain the three main categories and how to figure out which one is right for you.

The three categories of industrial sewing machines

Industrial machines are divided into three main families: normal straight stitch, walking foot, and triple feed. Understanding the difference between these three types is the first step to making the right choice and not wasting money on a machine that doesn't meet your actual needs.

Jack A5E-A: the machine for those who need to do a bit of everything

If you're still unsure what you'll be sewing, or if your work involves very different materials, the Jack A5E-A is the most balanced choice right now.

This machine features artificial intelligence – it's not just marketing! It's a technology that automatically adjusts the presser foot tension and pressure based on the fabric you're sewing. The practical result? You can switch from knitwear to velcro, from curtains to thick denim, without having to stop and re-adjust everything each time.

This is the machine I recommend when the customer doesn't have a single specialization and is looking for solid value for money across a wide range of tasks.

Jack H2: walking foot for heavy fabrics

If, on the other hand, you already know that you mainly work with heavy fabrics—seat covers, sofas, bags, technical materials—the Jack H2 is more suitable than the A5E-A.

The H2 has a dual-feed presser foot with walking foot mechanism: this means the fabric is pulled both from the feed dogs below and the presser foot above, which ensures a much more solid grip on significant thicknesses.

What the H2 does well

• Heavy and thick fabrics (faux leather, canvas, denim)
• Seat covers, upholstery, structured bags
• Jobs where sewing speed matters

What the H2 doesn't do

It's not the right machine for knitwear, silk, or delicate fabrics; for those, you need the A5E-A. And there's another important limitation compared to the next machine: the H2 sews well through thickness, but it struggles to go up and down between different thicknesses in the same piece. If you're working on an item where the thickness changes often, you might find it difficult.

Jack 2060: triple feed for changing thickness on the fly

Here we get to the real difference that many don't immediately grasp.
The question I often receive is: "What's the difference between the H2 and the 2060?" It's true that both sew well through thickness.
But the Jack 2060 triple feed does something the H2 can't do as well: it goes up and down thicknesses effortlessly.

With triple feed, when you encounter overlapping fabric or transition from a flat area to a raised one, the machine handles the transition without jamming, skipping stitches, or stopping. This makes it ideal for those who work on complex pieces where the thickness is never uniform.

And for bags? You need a cylinder arm

If your main work involves bags, pouches, or any item where you need to sew inside a cylindrical or tubular shape, none of the machines above are sufficient on their own; you need a machine with a cylinder arm.

The cylinder arm allows you to slip the bag or item over it and sew inside without difficulty. Without it, certain stitches are simply unreachable.

How to choose: the right question to ask yourself

Before choosing an industrial machine, ask yourself one thing: what will I primarily be sewing?

If you have any doubts, write to us or visit our store in Turin.

Bring a sample of the fabric you use, and we'll find the right solution together.

GDG Del Giudice • Via Bologna 252, Turin | gdgdelgiudice.it