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What Machine Sews More Than An Inch Thick?

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I have a sheath that is a bit over an inch thick and was sewn on a machine. What machine will sew that thick of leather?

Jon

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I have a sheath that is a bit over an inch thick and was sewn on a machine. What machine will sew that thick of leather?

Jon

A Campbell-Randall needle and awl machine with the high lift option will sew up to 1 1/8" of leather, perfectly. Here is the details page for the Campbell stitchers

Edited by Wizcrafts

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I should have explained in my reply that a needle and awl machine is the best type to use for any leather project that thick. These machines have a top mounted awl that stabs a hole through the leather, advances the stitch the preset length, as the pressor foot lifts, then raises out of the leather after the pressor foot lowers. As the awl raises up the needle also comes up from the bottom side, through the hole made by the awl. A looper feeds the top thread around a barb in the top of the raised needle, which then goes back down, where the thread is pulled off the barb of the needle and around the bobbin case, forming the lockstitch. This type of machine is the most reliable for heavy leather stitching and is the choice of many commercial holster makers.

There are probably some needle only machines that can fit an inch under the pressor foot, but I don't think the needle will survive more than a couple of stitches in one inch of veg-tan leather, unless you wet it first to soften it up and run the thread through a silicon lube pot, or use the pre-lubed and messy Weaver bonded nylon thread. The friction generated by an inch of leather can deflect the needle causing it to break, or heat up and cause the thread to melt, or it can seize in the leather and get pulled right out of the needle bar. The larger the needle and thread, the more likely one of those things will occur.

Somebody who has a machine that can effectively sew an inch of veg-tan may reply with their details and advice. The brand new Cobra Class 25-4 has a 1" maximum pressor foot lift and can sew up to 7/8" of leather, very slowly.

Edited by Wizcrafts

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Regarding the 441 clones, I would confirm what Wizcrafts has written.

I should have explained in my reply that a needle and awl machine is the best type to use for any leather project that thick. These machines have a top mounted awl that stabs a hole through the leather, advances the stitch the preset length, as the pressor foot lifts, then raises out of the leather after the pressor foot lowers. As the awl raises up the needle also comes up from the bottom side, through the hole made by the awl. A looper feeds the top thread around a barb in the top of the raised needle, which then goes back down, where the thread is pulled off the barb of the needle and around the bobbin case, forming the lockstitch. This type of machine is the most reliable for heavy leather stitching and is the choice of many commercial holster makers.

There are probably some needle only machines that can fit an inch under the pressor foot, but I don't think the needle will survive more than a couple of stitches in one inch of veg-tan leather, unless you wet it first to soften it up and run the thread through a silicon lube pot, or use the pre-lubed and messy Weaver bonded nylon thread. The friction generated by an inch of leather can deflect the needle causing it to break, or heat up and cause the thread to melt, or it can seize in the leather and get pulled right out of the needle bar. The larger the needle and thread, the more likely one of those things will occur.

Somebody who has a machine that can effectively sew an inch of veg-tan may reply with their details and advice. The brand new Cobra Class 25-4 has a 1" maximum pressor foot lift and can sew up to 7/8" of leather, very slowly.

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I'll try and get an answer right from the maker and see what he uses. I think for my needs I could get by real good with a machine that goes to 3/4" though. I plan to make Holsters and a sheath here and there.

Thanks for the replies!

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I'll try and get an answer right from the maker and see what he uses. I think for my needs I could get by real good with a machine that goes to 3/4" though. I plan to make Holsters and a sheath here and there.

Thanks for the replies!

My Luberto's classic will sew an honest 1". I have it set pretty slow, which I like. I don't know if it does it as well as a hook and awl machine or not. Looks pretty good to me and I haven't had any complaints from any customers on the job of sewing I do on it. I also have a Cobra class 4. Don't know how much it will sew as I haven't put it to the test. Stitches look good though. both are easy to sew with. Ken

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I've seen 441s set up to sew 1 1/4 inch and can do a little over an inch on the No.9. Any of the big frame machines can go to or a little over an inch with minor modifications.

Art

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