Sam Made Report post Posted March 30, 2014 I'm shopping for a sewing machine on a budget (less than 500) and heard really good things on the internet about the singer 301 and 401a. I plan on making bags so I need something for lining fabric, cotton canvas, and 6-8oz leather. Do you guys think those two machines are capable of the job or is there some other machine I should consider? Thanks in advance. - Sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pcox Report post Posted March 30, 2014 They are both great machines BUT NOT FOR LEATHER don't mess up these great machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam Made Report post Posted March 30, 2014 They are both great machines BUT NOT FOR LEATHER don't mess up these great machines. thanks for the response. would you recommend them for 18oz canvas or waxed canvas? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pcox Report post Posted March 30, 2014 No they are aluminum frame so they are not a strong as the old cast iron frame machines. Made for sewing cloth garments. Small gear drive motors so when they are going slow they don't have the punching power for anymore than 2/4 layers of cloth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geneva Report post Posted March 30, 2014 Mr. pcox is right on the nail with his comments. I will add further that you should stay away from garbagebay if you are looking for a sewing machine to do what you want to do. Most of the machines listed on their website are not "industrial strength" anything. Any sewing machine that has an electric motor mounted on the back of the machine frame I don't consider it capable of sewing leather. As far as sewing 18 oz canvas I can not comment on that. I don't know what that (301) machine is capable of. If you want a machine to sew leather you should ask one of the advertisers on THIS website if they have a machine that will meet your needs at your price. Good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SARK9 Report post Posted March 30, 2014 As pcox says, these are both aluminum frame machines with small internal motors. However, the 301 is a straight stitch only while the 401 is a zig-zag with decorative stitching capabilities, so they are totally different designs under the hood. Neither has a pressure foot designed to control the needle upstroke forces when withdrawing from anything but very thin leather even if you help pierce it with the hand wheel, so your stitch length probably will be anyone's guess. Further, I don't see a large demand for zig-zag stitching in leather.... I must confess I am not immune from utter and complete heresy myself, as I use a discarded home-class machine for occasional zig-zag overcasting of webbing edges. -DC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam Made Report post Posted March 30, 2014 thanks for all the replies, looks like i wont be getting either of those machines. I guess the question is what is the least expensive machine one can get to do that type of job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted March 30, 2014 You probably need a triple feed walking foot machine, using system 135x16 or 135x17 needles and standard "type 111" presser feet that allow it to sew 3/8 inches of material. The maximum foot lift with the knee lever is usually about 1/2 inch, even though it can only sew 3/8. Most will top out at #138 bonded thread (22 pounds breaking strength), top and bottom, using a #23 needle. You can find these (used) machines at upholstery and drapery shops or your local/nearby Craigslist. Most are sold for between $500 and $800, depending on how worn out they are. You may even find an old Singer 111w155 that still works, for about $400. You will not get a new one for anywhere near $500. A new Chandler 406RB sells for about $1000. A Consew 206RB is around $1250 and a Juki DNU-1541 will set you back about $1600. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam Made Report post Posted March 30, 2014 You probably need a triple feed walking foot machine, using system 135x16 or 135x17 needles and standard "type 111" presser feet that allow it to sew 3/8 inches of material. The maximum foot lift with the knee lever is usually about 1/2 inch, even though it can only sew 3/8. Most will top out at #138 bonded thread (22 pounds breaking strength), top and bottom, using a #23 needle. You can find these (used) machines at upholstery and drapery shops or your local/nearby Craigslist. Most are sold for between $500 and $800, depending on how worn out they are. You may even find an old Singer 111w155 that still works, for about $400. You will not get a new one for anywhere near $500. A new Chandler 406RB sells for about $1000. A Consew 206RB is around $1250 and a Juki DNU-1541 will set you back about $1600. Thanks! This whole time i was waiting for your reply because i know you would offer some direction. I did a quick search and i couldnt find anyone selling the singer 111w155 so ill try to look for the other machines you listed used. are there any other machines that comes to mind? I really don't mind older/ vintage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted March 31, 2014 Find an upholstery or drapery shop and ask what they use and what they might let go of. Look for a compound (triple) feed walking foot machine made for upholstery work. Bring material and test anything you find. Upholsterers tend to stick to major brands that can be serviced by any industrial sewing machine shop. They avoid cheap Chinese knockoffs, favoring American, German and Japanese built machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
