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From: SewNana55
Date: 07-31-2005, 01:27 AM (1 of 8)
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Hello, I am hoping for some help from some Brother 8500 or 6500 users. I had decided on the PC-6500 ($999) at my Brother local dealer, when they offered me a used 8500 with a full 1 year warranty. I could also purchase an additional 4 year full parts and labor warranty for $299. I love the large screen and editing options of the 8500, but also like the thought of a "new" machine.......  I sure would appreciate some thoughts from other owners. Sorry for posting twice-wrong section 1st time...a newbie... Thanks a bunch, SamsGram the sewing nana |
User: SewNana55
Member since: 07-31-2005 Total posts: 11 |
From: Saydee
Date: 07-31-2005, 03:00 AM (2 of 8)
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I have a Brother PC8500 embroidery machine, great machine too. It will do a hoop size of 5x7, you can also make your own fancy stitches and it has all the added features. I have had mine two yrs now and I have done a lot of work on it. I wouldn't want to tell you which way to go with your options as it is always nice to have something brand new but that Brother 8500 sounds like a pretty good deal to me. If they are offering a one yr warranty with the option to buy another 4yrs it must be a very good machine for them to do that. Plus it depends how much they are asking for it as you must remember it is a used machine, not old, but still second hand never-the-less. I will say though I like my 8500 and I have been more than happy with it's performance. Good luck in your decision making. |
User: Saydee
Member since: 05-07-2004 Total posts: 68 
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From: SewNana55
Date: 07-31-2005, 02:03 PM (3 of 8)
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Thank You Saydee, I forgot to mention the price...$1299, minus the full price I paid for my 500D as a trade-in. I love the 500D, but I need  more than the 4x4 format.When I bought the 500D I thought I would never need more....... I still sew on my SearsBest Kenmore (the last of the singer made all metal heavy jobs) that I bought on clearance for $199 in 1976! My sister-in-law bought the "new" model (plastic-drop-in bobbin,etc) in 1976 for $1399 and it died by 1978.....she had nothing but problems with it. And I still use my 1982 Bernina 234 serger, so I am way behind the times when it comes to the new machines. I have even been known to have "sew fun" on my tredle machine left to me by my grandmother. Anyway, thank you for your personal info on the 8500. My old Kenmore has almost all the same sewing stitches, sdo that is not so important to me, mainly th embroidery features. I am going to have to decide by Tuesday, $999 or $1299.... Thanks again, SewNana55 |
User: SewNana55
Member since: 07-31-2005 Total posts: 11 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 08-02-2005, 03:38 AM (4 of 8)
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I have a PC6500 and the main differences in the two machines are the many extra stitches and some of the on screen editing. The 8500 has the alphabets on the sewing side so you can sew those without the embroidery attachement on. This has not been an issue for me.The 8500 has the ability to rotate in smaller degrees than the 6500 but the embroidery looks exactly the same [my sister has the 8500 and we have compared] I don't mind the smaller screen and so far the 90degree rotation has been enough. I plan on getting Embrid one day and then I'll do most everything on my computer screen anyhow. I also have a pfaff 7570 so don't need all the extra fancy stitches. Good luck with your decision, you will love either machine you get. |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: SewNana55
Date: 08-02-2005, 10:09 AM (5 of 8)
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Hello, and thank you for your help. Your comments have really helped, I was going to go in and compare some samples on both machines today, this has saved me some time. Brother told me they "sew" out the same, but it is nice to hear this from owners also.  I really wanted a "new" machine, and I will not use the "sewing side" unless I take the machine to my daughters. I use my wonderful 1976 SearsBest Kenmore for all my sewing. (Our boys even come home to do their mending....they wanted to learn to take care of their own sewing needs at 12, I just wish our daughter had wanted to learn to sew... no interest at all)Thanks again, SewNana55 
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User: SewNana55
Member since: 07-31-2005 Total posts: 11 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 08-10-2005, 03:19 AM (6 of 8)
So..which machine did you end up with?? I'm nothing if not nosey. 
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User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: mamadus
Date: 08-24-2005, 10:32 PM (7 of 8)
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yeah... me too... which did you end up with?? MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: SewNana55
Date: 09-09-2005, 09:35 PM (8 of 8)
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Hello, We had to go out of town for a few days and then my MSN went down again......so I am just now back on line! Anyway, last Thursday (Sept.1st) I took both machines for a test drive (stitching 4 designs each) at the store and went home to "sleep on it". The next day I went into the store fully intending to buy the 6500 - when my eyes feel on something new a Beautiful Innovis 1000 !!!  Needless to say I gave them my credit card and loaded the 1000 into my car! It is absolutely wonderful!!!!! Quite, fast, 136 built-in designs, ulitity stitches, etc....... The embroidery quality is beautiful. The same designs stitched faster and nicer on the new 1000. It is a dream machine  Thank you all for your comments and help, Sewnan |
User: SewNana55
Member since: 07-31-2005 Total posts: 11 |
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