Looking For An Entry Level Machine For A Hobbiest

[buzzkiller]

I have just started working with leather as a hobby and love it a little more with every project. Right now I am stitching everything by hand as I don't have a machine. I have never used any type of sewing machine so please forgive me if I don't know some of the terminology associated with them.

When it comes to equipment, I feel its always best to buy the best you can afford. Right now it's the little "afford" part I am hung up on. I would like to be in a position to sell some work to afford one of the higher end machines but at my handstitching pace it will be around the year 2036 before I have made enough money for that to happen.

First off I would like to know if there is a machine out there fitting what I need for my short term goal of making holsters and bags to purchase a professional machine?

Second, which machine(s) are best suited for holster and bag making?

Any help is appreciated.

[Art]

I'm not going to go into all the details about why, it is covered ad nauseum here in pinned posts in this very forum and in a long list of other threads in this forum (Leatherworker.net> Fabrication > Leather Sewing Machines). While they last, Steve at the Leather Machine Company has two Artisan 3000 machines (refurbished by Leather Machine Company) for $1500 each. You might be able to get him to throw in some extra something if you talk nice to him. Best deal out there for a machine for a holster man right now, and you get Steve's excellent customer service. He might take them to the IFoLG show so they won't last long. There might be one in the Marketplace forum, I don't think it would be refurbished or guaranteed by Steve though.

Art

I have just started working with leather as a hobby and love it a little more with every project. Right now I am stitching everything by hand as I don't have a machine. I have never used any type of sewing machine so please forgive me if I don't know some of the terminology associated with them.

When it comes to equipment, I feel its always best to buy the best you can afford. Right now it's the little "afford" part I am hung up on. I would like to be in a position to sell some work to afford one of the higher end machines but at my handstitching pace it will be around the year 2036 before I have made enough money for that to happen.

First off I would like to know if there is a machine out there fitting what I need for my short term goal of making holsters and bags to purchase a professional machine?

Second, which machine(s) are best suited for holster and bag making?

Any help is appreciated.

[Wizcrafts]

{snip}

First off I would like to know if there is a machine out there fitting what I need for my short term goal of making holsters and bags to purchase a professional machine?

Second, which machine(s) are best suited for holster and bag making?

Any help is appreciated.

There are a few types of (new) machines that will sew both bags and holsters. These are all cylinder arm machines, not flat beds. I'll list the common models below. It's up to you to determine how to afford any of them.

• CB2500 / GA5-1 with or without reverse. These machines have a 10.5" arm length, large bobbins and big needles and can sew with #346 bonded nylon, or 5 cord linen thread. They are limited to no more than 7/16 inch of leather under the solid foot. Drive is performed by a feed dog on the bottom (with teeth). The marks can be rubbed out with a spoon, or modeling spoon, or slicker.
• 227R type machine, like the CB227R or Techsew 2700. These are alos 10.5 inch arm machines, but not as heavy duty as the above machines. They do, however, have triple feed and interchangeable presser feet and all manner of accessories that can be bolted onto the top plate. Limited to #138 or 207 thread, they can sew 3/8 inch of leather, or anything else.
• 441 clones (of the Juki 441) are cylinder arm machines with triple feed and a smooth feed dog. Most sold here are equipped with what we call a harness foot set. This consists of a double toed outside foot, with no metal in the center, and an inside foot that moves with the needle, to feed the material. These machines have arm lengths of 9, 16.5 and 25 inches. They all take up to $145 bonded, or 6 cord linen thread, have huge bobbins and can sew about 7/8 inch of material. We have dealers on this forum who specialize in setting up and selling/maintaining these 441 type machines. Top brands include Cowboy, Cobra and Techsew. Also, there are similar machines sold by Artisan, Ferdco and Weaver Leather.
• Boss hand operated portable stitcher. This machine is driven by your right arm pulling and pushing on a big lever on the right end of the machine. It has a limited depth inside of only about 6 inches or so. It does use big needles and can sew up to 3/4 inch, with $346 thread, or heavier. The machine needs to be bolted onto a work table. It is okay for prototyping jobs and sewing close to to the outside edge of thick straps or holsters. It is not so good if you need to rotate a large piece of leather towards the inside, such as when sewing up, around and down a holster. It may not fit inside the body, or bend up enough against the body to allow the return row of stitching. Your arm will get tired quickly if you use it to sew a long stitch run.

As for pricing, the GA5/CB2500 types generally sell for about $99 without and $1300/1400 with reverse. They come with a special cutout industrial table, and a servo motor.

The 227 type machines are typically about $1500 - $1600 and usually come on a pedestal type movable table.

The 441 clones usually start at about $1800 - $1900, for a 9" arm, $2100 - $2500 for 16.5" arms (depending on accessories), to about $3000 for the 25" models.

The Boss manual stitchers sell for $1400 new. Used, they usually go for about $700 to $800, or so.

If you cannot afford any of these machines, look for or inquire about a used 227 type or a Singer 153, with walking feet. These typically sell for about $400 to $700, depending on the dealer and condition of the machine and the table/motor sold with it.

All machines must be shipped by truck, so if you can't go to a dealer's location, be prepared to spend another 2 to 3 hundred for shipping on a pallet.

Since you have no previous experience with industrial or any sewing machines, I would advise against buying from Craigslist, or the run of the mill eBay sellers. You are going to run into problems until you learn the ins and outs of setting up and maintaining/troubleshooting your machine. Ebay dealers may not offer any support, or limited email support. Phone support may only be for returns under warranty (if any). Most used machines are sold with a very limited warranty, if any.

If you buy a used machine, try to get it from one of our member dealers, like Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines, Keystone Sewing, Techsew, (I suspect that Cobra Steve has some used machines)

[buzzkiller]

Thanks for the help. Sorry if my post rehashes she of the older discussions, I read several of those as well and appreciate all the information. Seems like the more I learn about the machines, the more I realize I don't know.

I will definately stay away from Craigslist or eBay. With what little I know I definately need access to customer support.

Thanks again.

Edited October 11, 2011 by buzzkiller