Hey everyone! First off, I just want to say how much I appreciate all the helpful input from this community. After your advice last week, I've decided to go with a post bed machine for my bootmaking projects. Most of my work involves stitching 16oz leather for work boots, but occasionally I'll be working with thicker combinations up to 18oz when using bison leather.
I've been researching the Techsew 830 because it's advertised to handle 3/8" thickness, which seems better than most post beds that max out at 5/16". However, I'm not entirely clear if that 3/8" rating is for stacked denim or if it can truly handle multiple layers of thick veg-tan leather at that thickness. Has anyone here actually tested this machine with dense leather stacks? I'd hate to invest $2K+ only to find it struggles with welted seams or through heavy stacked areas.
I'm also curious about alternatives - have any of you had success with other heavy-duty post beds like the Cobra Class 4 or used industrial Jukis? I'm trying to balance capability with budget, and would love to hear real-world experiences.
actually my workshop space is pretty tight, so I'm planning to pair whatever machine I get with a compact industrial table - if anyone has space-saving setup tips, I'm all ears! (And just out of curiosity - has anyone here used a post bed for upholstery projects too? I'm wondering how it would handle thick hides if I ever wanted to tackle a vintage loveseat restoration down the line.)
Really appreciate any insights you can share - this is a big investment and I want to make sure I get it right!
