Durkopp Adler Industrial Sewing Machine

[276ccm]

I´m offered this Durkopp Adler industrial sewing machine at a pretty low price, but I don´t know which model, except a few photos I got.. does anyone know what model this is and if it will work ok on leather?

[Wizcrafts]

It appears to be a garment sewing machine. It is difficult to make out the feed system from these photos, but, it seems to be flat foot, bottom feed. The thread cones on the thread stand are cotton or polycore, such as is used in the manufacturing of clothes.

Will it work for sewing leather? That depends on the feed system, how high the pressor foot lifts and what the largest needle size is for this type of machine. Most garment factories ordered machines that were designed for fast (high speed) sewing of relatively thin, not-dense cloth articles, using soft cotton or polycore thread. Jeans are built on heavier duty machines (walking foot) than shirts and pants (straight needle, flat foot). This machine, at a distance, looks like a shirt and pants machine.

If my assessment is correct, you will need to replace the motor pulley with a much smaller one, or add a speed reducer pulley system, or replace the entire motor with a servo motor. Otherwise, it will be uncontrollable. Furthermore, you'll be limited to using #69 bonded thread and #18 needles. You will probably be limited to sewing 3/16" to 1/4" of material. If the machine has bottom feed (dogs) and a flat foot, it may not feed sticky garment leather at all. In that case, you'll need to find a Teflon or roller pressor foot to replace the steel foot. Adler feet are usually unlike most others in common use; they have their own mounting system and typically cost more than Singer or Consew feet.

Parts for this machine come from Germany and are expensive.

[276ccm]

Thanks a lot for your info and tips! On the instruction manual that came with it says Durkopp Adler 211, 212, 219 and the machine is from 1978... I don´t have much experience with sewing machines yet, but does anyone know where I can find out more info about any of these models? When I google image searches, it looks like I have the 211 model. It would be nice to know what the machine is ment for and what it is capable of doing? :-)

I bought it for $330 (which in Norway is not a lot of money) and there had been a lot of people calling for the add, but I was first and got it.

I have three projects where I would need a sewing machine.. 1st, thick and heavy leather seats and motorcycle bags. 2nd, me and a friend is designing and making some female leather purses and handbags, where we usually uses relatively thin leather and skin (1 - 2mm thick) and 3rd, I´m reeducating myself, and are an apprentice at a small upholstery company, and can use the machine for small side jobs at my spare time.

Edited April 11, 2011 by 276ccm