Singer 4432 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine

If you are looking for a stronger than average sewing machine, but you can’t afford an industrial or mid-range model, the Singer Heavy Duty 4432 might just be the answer.

It is one of the most inexpensive “heavy-duty” sewing machines currently on the market and it boasts impressive features and accessories for the price.

In this Singer Heavy Duty 4432 review article, we’ll look at the machine’s features, accessories, pros and cons, and most asked questions from prospective buyers.

Singer Heavy Duty 4432 Sewing Machine: Overview

Founded in 1851, Singer is one of the most popular and recognizable sewing machine brands around.

Specializing in everything from industrial to heavy-duty to basic, Singer has a product and price-point for every sewer.

While some users have criticized Singer’s lower-end models as cheap and mass-produced in comparison to their models from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Singer’s popularity and reputation remain largely intact.

The 4432 is one in a line of four low-priced heavy-duty sewing machines that Singer offers (the 4411, the 4423, the 4432, and the 4452).

Read our full Singer 4411 review and Singer 4423 review.

The 4452 – the most expensive model in the line – is the same machine as the 4432. The only difference between the two is the color, the accessories, and a small price difference. The 4452 comes with a walking foot and five leather needles while the 4432 does not. If you want to learn more about this model, check out our Singer 4452 review as well.

If you want to use your heavy-duty Singer for mainly leather work, then those accessories might be worth investing the extra pocket change for the higher model.

Singer Heavy Duty 4432: Key features

The Singer Heavy Duty 4432 has an impressive array of features, outperforming other heavy duty machines that cost double or triple what the 4432 retails for. Which is why we included Singer 4432 in our roundup of the best heavy duty sewing machines.

Powerful motor

The 4432 boasts that its motor is 60% more powerful than a standard sewing machine. Since most standard machines have a 0.5 amp motor, that is an impressive claim.

The motor on the 4432 means that it can sew through heavy-duty fabrics and materials like denim and soft leather. Leather needs special needles which are not one of the included accessories with the machine.

It works incredibly well on several layers of thick denim, and it can handle multiple layers of garment leather.

It does not perform very well with hard leathers. Some users claim they have had success sewing belt leather with the 4432, but they used leather needles and went very, very slow.

All-metal design

The 4432 has a durable metal frame that promises decades of heavy use. The inside frame is made of steel while the outside chassis is made of aluminum.

The heavy-duty line looks reminiscent of the all-metal Singer machines from decades past. Since many of those models are still running after 20+ years, it’s a good sign that the 4432 will be an investment that lasts for years.

Stitch speed

The 4432 can sew up to 1,100 stitches per minute. That is a bit faster than a normal machine and should keep you sewing along at a steady pace.

This isn’t the fastest for a heavy-duty machine, but it is rare for one as inexpensive as the 4432.

32 stitch options

The 4432 has 32 built-in stitches. 6 are standard, 7 are for stretchy materials, and the rest are decorative.

This is more options than you typically see in a sewing machine that is branded as heavy-duty, and should be enough to get you through most basic applications and materials.

One-step buttonhole

The 4432 comes with the functionality to make buttonholes in one step. Once you attach the included buttonhole presser foot, you can slide the opening to the length of your desired buttonhole and switch the machine over to the buttonhole stitch. Then you just step on the pedal and the machine will make a perfect buttonhole.

Automatic needle threader

Another useful feature of the 4432 is the automatic needle threader. While it may not sound like much, the ability to quickly get your needle threaded and ready to go saves a lot of time and frustration in the long run.

Extra high presser foot lift

One of the best features to have on a heavy-duty sewing machine is an extra high presser foot lift, which the 4432 thankfully has.

The ability to raise your presser foot higher than usual is an invaluable tool when using thick materials like denim or canvas. A powerful motor is useless if you can’t fit the thick materials under the presser foot to sew them.

Therefore, this feature is further proof that Singer was serious about making a durable and powerful heavy-duty machine that is accessible to everyone.

Accessories

The Singer Heavy Duty 4432 comes with an impressive amount of accessories for its price. 

In addition to everything that comes in the box, Singer has additional compatible accessories that you can purchase separately if you have a project that needs something extra.

Presser feet

The 4432 comes with 4 different presser feet.

  • Standard foot
  • Buttonhole foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Button sewing foot

The fact that it does not come with a walking foot is a bit of a disappointment since it is capable of handling multiple thick layers of fabric.

The walking foot would have been more appropriate to the machine’s functionality than the button sewing foot, since that is a function that many sewists still prefer to do by hand anyway.

As mentioned above, the higher Singer heavy-duty model (the 4452) is the same machine as the 4432 with additional accessories.

If you plan to use your Singer heavy-duty machine to quilt or to sew multiple fabric layers regularly, it may be worth the extra cash to buy the more expensive machine.

Tools

The 4432 comes with a number of tools and accessories for sewing and for the maintenance of your machine.

The included seam ripper, quilting guide, and extra needles and bobbins are excellent tools to get you started with sewing if you do not already have them.

The lint brush and screwdriver are necessities for cleaning, oiling, and otherwise maintaining your machine.

The machine does not come with any sewing machine oil despite the fact that almost all Singer machines require the wick (the area under the bobbin case) to be oiled.

So you will need to buy sewing machine oil to keep your machine in good working order. We recommend Lily White, but Singer also has its own brand of oil.

Also, be careful using any sewing machine oil substitutes as the wrong type of oil can damage your machine.

Dust cover

The 4432 comes with a soft dust cover to place over the machine when not in use. Dust covers are an excellent idea even if you use your machine daily.

Dust and debris will still drift into your machine and potentially clog up important mechanisms. A dust cover, even if it is only on the machine briefly, blocks those particles from getting into your machine.

Frequently asked questions

Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions about the Singer Heavy Duty 4432 from prospective buyers.

What materials can this machine handle?

We touched on this briefly in the paragraphs above, but it bears repeating. The 4432 is a total workhorse for the price. It can handle everything from thick materials to thin, delicate fabrics with ease.

It can handle heavy denim (even multiple layers) with relative ease, so long as you have a size #15 needle or larger.

It can sew through garment leather and other soft leathers easily with a leather needle equipped. Heavier leather is more problematic but not entirely impossible if you go slow.

Is this machine good for a beginner?

Absolutely! Despite a heavier motor and metal body, the Singer Heavy Duty machines are almost identical to Singer’s other household machines, so they are great for beginners.

Can you quilt with this machine?

Yes, the extra high presser foot lift gives you ample room to fit all the quilting materials under the presser foot. You will have the best results if you purchase a walking foot to help with even feeding.

Wrapping it up

Well, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Singer Heavy Duty 4432! Still have questions? Let us know in the comment section below!

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