Mike516

Hello, I saw that Juki on CL and was just wondering why the guy is only asking $1200 for a $2000 machine like that with 7 hours on it. Did he happen to tell you why he's selling it?

Wow that looks like a real nice machine, if a bit pricey. But it looks complicated. I'm really a beginner when it comes to sewing, would that be the best machine to learn on?

Are there any new machines that would be good? I've looked around and those older machines cost as much if not more than a new one. I was looking at this one: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/juki-du-1181.php

I thought I read in the adjusters manual for one of them that they sew leather. I guess it was somewhere else. Or maybe it said heavy material and I thought leather. I don't know now. I agree about the people on eBay. They will swear up and down that their machine will sew leather. And it might for a little while, but eventually it will stop. Thanks for the list. I've made enough money with my little leather business to invest in something new and I was considering a sewing machine. I'll check those out, thanks a bunch for all the advice.

What if I invested in something like this: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/consew-CP206R.php ?

That is disappointing. I really thought I read somewhere that the 96-10 for sure was made to sew leather. I suppose I'll stick to hand stitching. Leather sewing machines are real expensive and I hate to invest in one without even knowing if I can sew adequately to make use of it. Thanks all.

Ok, I understand. I also have a Singer 96-10 that might be better suited. But I've never used it, it's been sitting in my garage. Would I be able to get a bigger hand wheel for that one or should I consider getting a real leather sewing machine?

Crap, I didn't want to have to do any modifications like that. So they never made bigger hand wheels for these machines? I guess it makes sense. They wanted them to go faster not slower, so making a larger hand wheels probably defeats the purpose.

I was going to do this some time ago but have been doing pretty well with my small business so I kind of got sidetracked a little. I had some notes about doing all this but I can't for the life of me find them. I want to try and use my Singer 95-10 to sew pig skin to 7/8 oz veg. and make some nice dog collars. As I'm not an expert sewer by any means, I would like to swap out the original hand wheel for a larger one. Did they make bigger hand wheels for these old machines, and if so what size should I look for and where might I look for one? While I'm here asking that question, I may as well make sure I'm going to do this right. I'm thinking of using #92 nylon thread with a #20 needle and work from there. Does that sound right? Thanks!

Thank you Wiz. I wanted to talk price with the guy, but I don't think he's interested. I tried to explain the limitations as I understand them with this machine and cost and time involved in servicing it and getting it back to original working condition as a treadle. But he hasn't returned my email. He probably figures I'm trying to rip him off. I don't know if it's an East Coast thing or what, but people out here want to sell their old rusty sewing machines for ridiculous amounts of money. And I've learned you can't talk to most of them. He's probably doing me a favor though. The last thing I really need is another sewing machine.

That's what I figured. It's a shame, people don't do any research and just pick prices out of the air based on nothing. And so it'll sit there and gather more dust and never be used again because the guy is so stubborn and afraid he's going to leave a dollar on the table. Oh well, thanks for confirming my instinct.

There's a Singer 29-4 for sale by me. The guy wants $750 for it which sound high to me. It looks like it's been amateurishly motorized with a tiny motor and foot controller that's sort of tied to something underneath. But honestly I know very little about these. I think they were used for shoes or boots. First, is it worth the price to buy if it needs a lot of work? All the picture are of the back side of the thing so either they know nothing about sewing machines or they're hiding something. So I'm figuring it needs work. Second, is this a good machine for sewing 7/8 oz leather and how hard is it to use? Third, how hard would it be to convert it back to treadle if most everything is still there. I really like the look of it, but I have other machines so I don't really need it. This one just looks so cool I was thinking about buying it and learning to use it. Thanks in advance.

Yes, I'm making the first cut with my straight edge and using it to guide the strap cutter. That first cut is the most important. If that's off, every cut after that will be off. And if you mess up the edge of the leather with the strap cutter, you have to straighten it out again before you can cut any more straight strips. I'm cutting 2/3oz and 6/7oz cowhide. Pigskin I'd use the roller cutter and a no skid ruler. I don't know if a strap cutter would work on pigskin I never tried it. Shears are good too if you have good quality ones. I found a box of Weiss shears at an estate sale that work really well. They keep an edge, but if you can find a good set of bend shears that'll probably be your best bet, especially if you're hiding the edges of the pigskin anyway.

No, this is only for the first cut. After that I use a strap cutter. I like the wood strap cutter but you have to line up your measurement again and tighten the thumb screw after each cut. If you're forcing it you can still get an uneven cut because the guide can still move inside the handle. You have to use some finesse to keep the leather from binding which is what will ruin your belts. How uneven are your belts? I'm making leather dog collars and they're never perfectly exactly even. They're not noticeably crooked or anything like they're cut with a sawzall, but they do have that rustic look. My customers love them and anyone that wants an exactly even straight as an arrow line I suggest that handmade might not be for them and I will often recommend they buy the stuff made overseas on machines.

You wouldn't have a Tippman Boss in there somewhere, would you? It would be kind of out of place with the heavy duty stuff but it doesn't hurt to ask. I'm just over one bridge and could be out there in less than an hour. Thanks.

Yes, I believe you were going for a clever design with the cut leather arranged in a pattern. To me, it looks like a terracotta roof and only serves to distract the eye from the dies. Anyone that is looking at these with intent to buy could care less about the background except that they can see clearly what they are getting, measurements like CR said and the condition. Simplicity is the key. "Just the facts Ma'am" credit Dragnet.

Still no complete price list?

FYI, some of the dies are lost in the backround. Please take this as constructive critisism. I went there to look at the dies and was completely distracted by the roof you took the pictures on. Maybe it's just me, in which case you are welcome to ignore my comment.

Yes, you want to mount this with bolts, not clamps, as shown in my picture earlier in the thread. The ram foot is not needed, but it can be used if you have trouble lining the stamps up. I got another 1/4" steel plate to cover dies and can use this to cut small patterns on 3/4 oz leather as well. Very versatile tool. So glad I made the small investment.

Are these sold? Thanks.

If Trox doesn't take them, I will. Let me know. Thanks.

Thanks for the response. I should have asked 2 years ago when you first posted this, but I didn't have anything to use them with

Reduced? Did I miss something? I thought it was originally $1250.

Are there any in the shape of a key chain? Thanks. Mike

Where in NY is it?