Question 1

What is the Fischbein Model 101 tape sewing head, and how is a taped closure different from plain sewing?

Accepted Answer

The Fischbein Empress Model 101 is a pedestal-mounted industrial sewing head that folds crepe tape over the top of an open-mouth bag and stitches through it, closing paper, woven polypropylene, and jute bags up to 0.3 in. (8 mm) thick. A plain sewn closure puts the stitch straight through the bag material; a taped closure wraps the bag mouth first, which reinforces the seam, resists sifting of fine powders, protects against wicking and contamination at the stitch line, and gives a cleaner, brandable finish in your choice of tape color.

Question 2

What tape widths does the Model 101 run, and what is pull tape?

Accepted Answer

The Model 101 runs crepe tape from 1.25 to 2.5 inches (3.2 to 6.4 cm) wide, in three standard configurations: wide tape at 2–2.5 in., medium tape at 1 7/8 in., and narrow tape at 1.25–1.5 in. Crepe sewing tape is available in a range of colors and widths. Pull tape — also called tear tape — is a separate option that builds an easy-open strip into the closure so the end customer can tear the bag open by hand instead of cutting the stitch, and the Model 101 supports both narrow and wide pull-tape configurations.

Question 3

How do I change tape widths on a Model 101, and what parts does it take?

Accepted Answer

Changing tape width on a Model 101 means swapping a matched set of three parts — presser foot, throat plate, and feed dog — not just the tape roll. Wide tape (2–2.5 in.) uses presser foot 10484, throat plate 10485, and feed dog 10486, available as complete assembly 10481. Narrow tape (1.25–1.5 in.) uses presser foot 10494, throat plate 10495, and feed dog 10496, available as assembly 10490. Medium tape (1 7/8 in.) uses presser foot 10562 with throat plate 10485 and feed dog 10565. Wide pull tape uses presser foot 10558; narrow pull tape uses 10553. If you run more than one bag format, keep a second set on the shelf.

Question 4

How much does the Model 101 cost, and what else do I need to run it?

Accepted Answer

The Fischbein Empress Model 101 tape sewing head is $9,590.00 from Cleveland Equipment. The head is not a stand-alone machine — a working installation also needs a pedestal stand, a bag transport conveyor, and a drive motor, with Fischbein recommending a 1 HP (746 W) motor and warning that the head's 1,800 RPM maximum must never be exceeded. Ongoing consumables include crepe or pull tape, polyester sewing thread, needles, Rykon #68 oil, and oil filters. The tape clipper also needs its own regulated air supply.

Question 5

What air and power supply does the Model 101 require?

Accepted Answer

The Model 101 needs a minimum of 90 PSI at 10 to 12 SCFM — noticeably more air than a plain sewing head, because the scissors-style tape and thread clipper is pneumatically actuated. Fischbein specifies that the tape clipper works best at a minimum 90 PSI (6.2 bar) and that pressure must not exceed 100 PSI. The head weighs about 64 lb (29.1 kg) with the tape clipper installed, so Fischbein recommends moving it on a dolly rather than lifting it by hand, and doing blade service on a workbench with the head removed.

Question 6

How many bags per minute can a Model 101 close?

Accepted Answer

The Model 101 runs at line speeds adjustable from 35 to 55 linear feet per minute. At the head's 1,800 RPM maximum with a 2.5 stitches-per-inch setting it sews 60 linear feet per minute, which works out to roughly 35 bags per minute for an 18-inch-wide bag at normal conveyor spacing — about 31.6 bags per minute after allowing 10% for inspections and line interruptions. For a smooth, flat closure the head must be synchronized to run about 2% faster than the infeed and the bag transport conveyor, so the bag is pulled taut through the stitch.

Question 7

What stitch does the Model 101 make, and which needle should I use for my bag material?

Accepted Answer

The Model 101 produces a Federal Standard Type 401 single-needle, double-thread chain stitch at a standard 2.5 stitches per inch, adjustable from 2 to 3.5, and it can also be configured for single-thread applications. Needle choice follows the bag material: use C100-S square-point needles (.100 in.) for paper bags, C100-RP round-point needles for woven polypropylene and burlap, and C80-S square-point needles at 0.08 in. diameter for lighter work. Running a square-point needle in woven poly is a common cause of cut yarns and weakened seams.

Question 8

Is the Model 101 self-lubricating, and what maintenance does it actually need?

Accepted Answer

The Model 101 uses a pressurized automatic oil system with a sight window and pressure gauge, so there is no hand pump — but it is not maintenance-free. Oil pressure must stay between 15 and 40 PSI while running, checked after 1.5 to 2 hours of warm-up, and both the oil and the oil filter (part 15054) must be changed every 500 working hours using 1 quart of Rykon #68 oil (part 10200) or food-grade oil (part 31047). Fischbein states that no substitution oils are accepted and using any other oil will void the product warranty. Critically, on a new head you must remove the shipping screw from the breather plug before the first startup — running it in place builds internal pressure that damages seals and can injure the operator.

Question 9

Model 101 vs. Model 100 — should I buy the tape head or the plain sewing head?

Accepted Answer

Choose the Model 100 plain sewing head at $7,250 when a straight sewn closure is all the product needs, and choose the Model 101 at $9,590 when the closure itself has to do more work. The roughly $2,340 difference buys a taped seam that reinforces the bag mouth, resists sifting on fine powders, shields the stitch line from wicking and contamination, and presents a finished, color-matched edge — plus the option of pull tape for consumer-friendly easy opening. Both heads share the same Empress platform, the same Type 401 two-thread chain stitch, the same 1,800 RPM ceiling, and the same lubrication system, so the decision is about the closure, not the machine.

Question 10

Why is my Model 101 not sewing, or not cutting the tape cleanly?

Accepted Answer

If a Model 101 will not sew, check first that tape is present between the presser foot and the feed dog — the machine requires tape in place to operate. Ragged or incomplete tape cuts usually mean worn blades, worn knife springs, or material packed around the knife: replace the moving knife (part 10443) and bed knife (part 10446), blow the area clear with compressed air, and verify the clipper is seeing at least 90 PSI. After any blade change, the blades must be aligned parallel with the moving knife in the down position, and the throat fence reset using a business card as a gap gauge against the presser foot. A light film of oil on the inside face of the moving knife keeps the cut smooth and slows wear.

Model 101 Bag Tape Sewing Head*

Details

Machine comes with a 1 year limited part warranty and tech support.