peterm Report post Posted August 10, 2014 Hi Everyone, I've enjoyed reading many of your questions and answers, finally have a question of my own. I've searched the forum for similar questions, but didnt find the answers I was looking for. I'd like to purcahse a leather sewing machine and my budget it $1200. I do not practice western style leather-craft. I mainly craft accessories, such as wallets, bags, backpacks, purses, pouches, some small garments. When I am working with 6oz+ leather I am confortable to hand-sew. With the previously mentioned articles, I'd like to boost my productivity by purchasing a machine. I need to be able to do fine work, such as stiching several layers of feather skived ends together. With a $1200 budget, new or used, what would you recommend purchasing? Is it better to get a 'post' or 'flatbed' style machine. You don't have to write a lot in support of your answers, just a make a model number...but feel free to say why. Some options I've seen locally Juki LU 1508 $1300 I'm located in Canada... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted August 11, 2014 The LU-1508 is a professional grade, walking foot, triple feed sewing machine. It has a double capacity hook/bobbin and a special bottom feed architecture that minimizes stretch. It can handle up to #207 thread, which many walking foot machines struggle with. Conversely, due to the square drive feed dog, it can also sew thin material with very thin thread. Many walking foot machines do poorly on thin, flimsy materials. Finally, at $1300, you are paying half the list price. This should be a no-brainer, unless there is something wrong with it. Definitely go check it out and bring some of your work to test it. The only other good option at that price point is a used cylinder arm, walking foot machine. We call these 227 clones. Or, maybe you can find a Consew 227 itself. There are some brand new, Chinese built leather sewing machines in the range of $1200 to $1600, fully equipped. You should look into the machines sold under the Cowboy, Cobra and Techsew brand names, as well as Nick-O-Sew. Their machines are built to dealer specs and the dealers stand firmly behind their machines. As it happens, Techsew are a Canadian company, based in Montreal. However, all will ship to Canada at very reasonable prices. All of the above brands are advertisers on the LeatherWorker.Net forums, with rotating banners on top of every page. Most industrial sewing machine dealers sell both new and used/rebuilt machines. If you buy one from a reputable dealer, you can expect help from the seller if you run into problems. If you buy used privately, you may be on your own to diagose the cause of problems and to buy/install replacement parts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterm Report post Posted August 11, 2014 Hi Wiz, thanks for the detailed reply. That is a wealth of information that I did not have, and could not even have asked for, given my limited knowledge of leather sewing machines. You brought up a very valid point that I had not considered, which is identifying machines that perform well on thin, flimsy matierals. I also appreciate the breakdown on the Chinese clones and how to connect with your sponsors. Appreciate your time and look forward to being more active on the forums. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterm Report post Posted August 11, 2014 Wiz, can I get your take on a JUKI DNU-1541S compared to the features your listed on the LU-1508? With the 1541 perform as well on the thin material I'm working with? Thanks so much for your help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted August 11, 2014 The DNU-1541s is a scaled down, pro-sumer version of the flagship LU-1508NH. The specs can be found at http://www.juki.co.jp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carrieanna1172 Report post Posted August 11, 2014 Wiz craft - sorry to post on someone else's thread? I am new to this but your wealth of knowledge is amazing so I will ask you If you were buying your wife a sewing machine ? Say she sewed a lot but textiles only mostly quilting. And she had always wanted to sew leather. bags man type purses, or back pack rucksacks , wallets and even belts and tool belts and bags on occasion. No problem with her hands etc ( I have heard leather can be hard on your hands?) What kind of machine would you buy for her to start out on ? Just your opinion? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted August 11, 2014 That guy has a used artisan for sale, reasonable price too. That guy over there... http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=57421&hl= Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
