88.6 The Singer Heavy Duty 4452 is the pinnacle of the Singer Heavy Duty line of sewing machines. This mechanical sewing machine sews very quickly and is very easy to setup and to use. It is a good fit for both the beginner and the more advanced sewist. It is also easy to thread and is capable of sewing through thick materials such as denim, leather and canvas. On the downside the foot pedal feels poorly made and it does not regulate speed well. In addition, a number of folks report struggling with tension issues.
Singer Heavy Duty Models
There are several Singer Heavy Duty models. We’ve highlighted some of the key differences between the models below.
There are several Singer Heavy Duty models. We’ve highlighted some of the key differences between the models below.
Heavy Duty 4411
- 11 stitches
- 4-step automatic buttonhole
- NO automatic needle threader
- 11 stitches
- 4-step automatic buttonhole
- NO automatic needle threader
Heavy Duty 4423
- 23 stitches
- 1-step automatic buttonhole
- Automatic needle threader
- 23 stitches
- 1-step automatic buttonhole
- Automatic needle threader
Heavy Duty 4432
- 32 stitches
- 1-step automatic buttonhole
- Automatic needle threader
- 32 stitches
- 1-step automatic buttonhole
- Automatic needle threader
Heavy Duty 4452
- 32 stitches
- 1-step automatic buttonhole
- Automatic needle threader
- Bonus heavy duty accessories
- 32 stitches
- 1-step automatic buttonhole
- Automatic needle threader
- Bonus heavy duty accessories
As you can see from the information above, the 4452 and the 4432 are the same machine but the 4452 comes with additional accessories. We highlight these accessories further down in the article and you should consider if you need them or not. If not, you may be able to purchase the 4432 and save money.
Note: You may see reference to the model "Singer Heavy Duty 44S". This is actually the same machine as the 4423 but it is only available at Walmart.
Consumer Ratings
We found 779 consumer ratings for the 4452 from a number of popular online retail outlets. This data can be seen in the table below. When these ratings were averaged they resulted in an overall sewing machine score of 88.6 which makes the 4452 one of the better scoring Singer sewing machines on our site.
We found 779 consumer ratings for the 4452 from a number of popular online retail outlets. This data can be seen in the table below. When these ratings were averaged they resulted in an overall sewing machine score of 88.6 which makes the 4452 one of the better scoring Singer sewing machines on our site.
| Source | Consumer Rating | # Ratings |
| Amazon.com | 4.4 stars out of 5 | 176 |
| Amazon.ca | 4.5 stars out of 5 | 409 |
| Joann | 4.3 stars out of 5 | 193 |
| Walmart | 5 stars out of 5 | 1 |
The 4452 has actually made our list of the Top 5 Singer Sewing Machines (see table below).
Top 5 Singer Sewing Machines
| Model | Score |
| Singer Stylist 7258 sewing machine | 93.1 |
| Singer One Plus sewing machine | 93.0 |
| Singer Fashion Mate 7256 sewing machine | 91.2 |
| Singer ONE sewing machine | 88.7 |
| Singer Heavy Duty 4452 | 88.6 |
You may also wish to see our complete sewing machine ratings list. It has ratings for all the sewing machines we’ve investigated over the past 10 years.
Pros & Cons
A thorough review of owner comments has provided the following model 4452 owner likes and dislikes:
PROS
- Very fast maximum sewing speed
- Able to sew through thick fabrics
- Very easy to use
- Runs smoothly
- Automatic needle threader works well
- Good for beginners and advanced sewists
- Very fast maximum sewing speed
- Able to sew through thick fabrics
- Very easy to use
- Runs smoothly
- Automatic needle threader works well
- Good for beginners and advanced sewists
CONS
- Foot pedal is hard to use
- Not as “heavy-duty” as some expect
- Still lots of plastic used in machine construction
- Several folks have experience tension problems
- Foot pedal is hard to use
- Not as “heavy-duty” as some expect
- Still lots of plastic used in machine construction
- Several folks have experience tension problems
What Are Owners Saying?
Most owners are both surprised and pleased with the exceptional sewing speed of the 4452. It has a maximum sewing speed of 1100 stitches per minute which is faster than many machines (we typically see around 800 stitches/minute or so).
Most owners are both surprised and pleased with the exceptional sewing speed of the 4452. It has a maximum sewing speed of 1100 stitches per minute which is faster than many machines (we typically see around 800 stitches/minute or so).
Another very popular point is just how easy the machine is to operate. It is a mechanical sewing machine and it is quite basic. Most owners feel that the controls make it easy to work with and easy to set up. In addition, there are quite a few comments stating that this is a good machine for a beginner or even a more advanced user.
For the most part, folks report that the 4452 is very capable of sewing through thick materials such as denim, leather and canvas. There are a few comments that the machine is not as capable as expected but these are few in number. To this end, it is important to highlight that this machine is stated to be “heavy duty” – it is not industrial grade.
Other positive comments include that the 4452 runs smoothly, that it feels sturdy, and that it is something of a workhorse. It is also very easy to thread using the automatic needle threader.
However there are some issues. One of the most common is frustration dealing with Singer customer service. This is not a problem if the machine works well, but if something breaks or ceases to work such that the machine requires repairs then you will have to deal with Singer. We’ve seen complaints about the company’s customer service for years now and it does not seem to get any better.
Also, the foot pedal that is provided with the 4452 seems cheaply made. Some folks call it plasticky and say that it is not very good at regulating the sewing speed.
Finally, there are a number of comments highlighting issues related to setting and maintaining thread tension.
You can read more Singer 4452 owners comments on Amazon.
Key Specifications
- Sewing speed = 1100 stitches per minute
- 32 stitches including 6 basic, 7 stretch, 18 decorative, 1 one-step buttonhole
- Stainless steel bed plate
- Top drop-in bobbin (transparent bobbin and cover)
- 7-segment feed dogs
- Drop feed capable (allows for free motion sewing)
- Free arm
- Stitch selection dial
- Adjustable stitch length
- Adjustable stitch width (6mm maximum)
- Reverse Lever
- LED lighting of sewing area
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Snap on presser feet
- Extra high presser foot lift
- Bobbin class 15
- 3 needle positions
- Twin needle capable
- Sewing speed = 1100 stitches per minute
- 32 stitches including 6 basic, 7 stretch, 18 decorative, 1 one-step buttonhole
- Stainless steel bed plate
- Top drop-in bobbin (transparent bobbin and cover)
- 7-segment feed dogs
- Drop feed capable (allows for free motion sewing)
- Free arm
- Stitch selection dial
- Adjustable stitch length
- Adjustable stitch width (6mm maximum)
- Reverse Lever
- LED lighting of sewing area
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Snap on presser feet
- Extra high presser foot lift
- Bobbin class 15
- 3 needle positions
- Twin needle capable
Stitches
Following is a stitch chart showing the stitches you get with the 4452.
Following is a stitch chart showing the stitches you get with the 4452.
Accessories – 4452 & 4432
With the 4452 and the 4432 you get the following four presser feet: General purpose, button sewing, zipper, and buttonhole. Also included are a pack of needles, spool pin felt, spool caps, an auxiliary spool pin, a seam ripper / lint brush, a quilting guide, and a screwdriver. In addition you will find a soft dust cover, a foot control, a power cord, and an instruction manual.
With the 4452 and the 4432 you get the following four presser feet: General purpose, button sewing, zipper, and buttonhole. Also included are a pack of needles, spool pin felt, spool caps, an auxiliary spool pin, a seam ripper / lint brush, a quilting guide, and a screwdriver. In addition you will find a soft dust cover, a foot control, a power cord, and an instruction manual.
Bonus Accessories – 4452 Only
These bonus accessories are provided with the 4452 and are for sewing with heavy fabrics.
These bonus accessories are provided with the 4452 and are for sewing with heavy fabrics.
- Even feed / walking foot
- Heavy duty needles (5 pack of size 16)
- Non-stick foot
- Clearance plate (for dealing with thick seams)
- Heavy duty needles (5 pack of size 16)
- Non-stick foot
- Clearance plate (for dealing with thick seams)
ALL 4452 accessories shown in image below:
Top and Back
View of the top and back of the machine are provided below:
TOP
BACK
Singer Instructional Videos
Singer has created a host of instructional videos for the 4452 and these are available on YouTube. They cover areas such as stitches, buttonholes, needle threader, top drop-in bobbin, presser foot, needle positions, drop feed, etc. An example is provided below.
Warranty
The Singer website states that the Heavy Duty 4452 carries a limited 90 day / 2yr / 24yr warranty (despite many other sites stating this unit comes with a 25 year warranty). To the best of our knowledge this breaks down as follows:
The Singer website states that the Heavy Duty 4452 carries a limited 90 day / 2yr / 24yr warranty (despite many other sites stating this unit comes with a 25 year warranty). To the best of our knowledge this breaks down as follows:
90 days - covers belts, bulbs, rings, attachments, and adjustments
2 years - covers electronic components, motors, light assembly, speed control, switches, and wiring
24 years – covers the sewing machine head
2 years - covers electronic components, motors, light assembly, speed control, switches, and wiring
24 years – covers the sewing machine head
It is interesting to note the 24 year warranty on the sewing machine head. We have always seen 25 years in the past. We are not sure if this is something new from Singer or if the 24 years is something only applied to certain machines.
Weight
The 4452 weighs in at 14.6 lbs which is actually a little lighter than expected for this “heavy duty” machine. It is not so light that it would be ideal for taking to classes but it is certainly not as heavy as many other machines on the market.
Sewing Machine Manual
The manual provides instructions in 3 languages - English, French and Spanish. It covers the principle parts of the sewing machine and the accessories. It also provides information on threading the machine, all the sewing features, the sewing feet, maintenance, and troubleshooting. You can view a copy of the manual here: Singer Heavy Duty 4452 Manual
The 4452 weighs in at 14.6 lbs which is actually a little lighter than expected for this “heavy duty” machine. It is not so light that it would be ideal for taking to classes but it is certainly not as heavy as many other machines on the market.
Sewing Machine Manual
The manual provides instructions in 3 languages - English, French and Spanish. It covers the principle parts of the sewing machine and the accessories. It also provides information on threading the machine, all the sewing features, the sewing feet, maintenance, and troubleshooting. You can view a copy of the manual here: Singer Heavy Duty 4452 Manual
Hello! My name is Alison and I started Sewing Machine Ratings over 10 years ago. Since then I’ve reviewed scores of sewing machines. Sewing has been a hobby for me since I was a young and I love to make my own clothing.