Best Machine For Sewing Cuts/vests.

[EMCSeaDog]

I've been doing a lot of work for my club, and I really enjoy doing the work. Unfortunately I've ruined my wife's Brother (which was kind of a nice machine $500....lol, I need to get it retimed for her). I have a Singer Model 27 that I've started to use, but I'm having some issues with "slowing down on triple and double" layers of leather when sewing patches. Not to mention that the thickness won't pass through the presser foot. My next move is to drop the dime for a nicer machine. Like to move up to an industrial/heavy duty sewing machine. Both my wife and I are also interested in creating other leather works as well, belts, purses, bags, ect.., and finding this site was an obvious plus. I was looking at a few machines, one being the SINGER 191D-30 Complete Industrial Commercial-Grade Straight-Stitch Sewing Machine, and the other being the Juki TL-2000Qi High Speed. I'm not so concerned with speed. I like to take my time and make sure things are correct. I'm open to suggestions for sure. I'm not Mr. Sewing all my life, but I've sewed enough cuts to know that, 1. I get frustrated rolling up a cut to pass it under the machine (not that bad, but I have problems pulling it through evenly without puffing when things are rolled up. 2. I need the strength to pass through several layers of leather and patches. 3. That presser foot height kills me. I saw where the 191D will raise up to 13mm I think. The knee control would be new to me, but seems to be what I would be after to raise that puppy up. I'll muddle my way though one way or another and read through some more posts to see if I can find anything more about this, but I didn't see anything in the first few pages (25), so I thought I would put the question out there. I'm guessing you guys are a lot more advanced than I in this type of work and would appreciate any help/suggestions. I'd like to keep my costs under a $1000, Seadog

Edited June 14, 2013 by EMCSeaDog

[EMCSeaDog]

The more I read the less speed I want and it would seem that neither of those two machines will work, nor the Singer 591 I was looking at. Back to square one, sifting through threads.

[Dwight]

Seadog, . . . I have two machines, . . . and seem to have some of your same problems.

One machine (Tippmann Boss) is hand operated, . . . so it can never speed away from me, . . . but it simply will not do some of the intricate, thin leather things I would sometimes like to mess with. Others may be different, . . . but mine just doesn't like thin leather work.

OTOH, . . . my little Singer electric (have no idea of model number) will sew the thin stuff, . . . but you need to be awful careful with the foot switch. Just one sneeze or cough at the wrong time, . . . you've got a stitch line right down the middle of your project.

I have been fully tempted though, . . . to try out the walking foot machine they have at Harbor Freight. It was in the $750 range last time I looked, . . . and the manager of my local store told me he'd order it, . . . I could take it home, . . . use it for up to 30 days, . . . if I couldn't get it to do what I wanted, . . . he would take it back.

I would be very much interested if any of our associates have used the Harbor Freight machine, . . . and how it worked out for them.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited June 14, 2013 by Dwight

[EMCSeaDog]

Not that I know of. I have another fellow that sews too, and I want to find out what he uses as well. Did they say what kind of machine they were willing to let you use at Harbor? That's where I'm torn though. I don't know if I need the super duper saddle machines, and I think that would be overkill for what I'm doing.

From what I've read on the site and balancing my budget, I'm wondering if a Consew 226r industrial sewing machine (used) won't do the trick, or if again this is overkill. I think it's mainly for heavy fabric, awnings and such. I never though there would be so many choices out there.

I mean, I'm mainly doing cuts/patch work on soft vest leather (sometimes thick where it overlaps), but she (wife) has shown some interest in future projects such as purses, belts, and such (as I'm interested as well, we enjoyed what we've done so far). I'm wondering if the Consew 226r would stand up to that, or if I'm just heading in the wrong direction all together.

I know I like the variable speed, so when it's a long straight stich, I can roll down the line, but I definitely have to slow it down at times, some of the patches are as twisty as a mountain road. That's when I need to take my time and make sure I keep my lines. I'm hoping the Consew would allow me the intricate work like that. Thank you for the reply!

And this is what I get for hesitating...lol. http://atlanta.craig...3749608185.html ---already sold "today". Though, not sure it was the best price on a used one anyway (wasn't bad though).

Edited June 14, 2013 by EMCSeaDog

[TheShiek2008]

I have a consew 206rb-5. I love it. I paid 1300 delivered to the door. Does everything I need it to.