JerryZ

I am very happy to report that the Artisan company is very much alive and well. We have decided in these economic times to broaden our marketing efforts to include additional industries and not just our beloved leather trades. We design, manufacture, and supply over 63 different models and sub-classes of production and simple sewing and cutting machinery.Mr. Art van Hecke mistaken reported the demise of our company on this thread. His statements are completely untrue. Mr. Van Hecke also happens to be an investor in the company selling Cobra brand sewing machines, he has something to gain by his lies. Although Mr. van Hecke had previously purchased several leather sewing machines from Artisan and for some reason he later decided to help finance and convince our now former salesman, Steve to start his own company, to me his intentions to try and undermine Artisan are very plain to see.This situation is complicated and long, and this is not the place to go into details, but be assured that Artisan sewing machines are doing well and will be here to provide our customers the very best in service, replacement spare parts, and machinery possible.Jerry Zonis, owner Artisan Sewing Supplies, Inc. Since 1968

Hi Brad I choose not post very often, but at this time I believe that my skills and suggestions are warrented here. As Owner of the Artisan company and designer of the Artisan model 618-1 SC LTHR way back in 1997, and the TORO-3000 in 2005, along with hundreds of labor saving machinery and devices, I have the skills to determine which machine is best for your stated usage. The Artisan 618-1 SC LTHR flat bed walking foot machine is your choice and sews size 207 thread in the needle and bobbin with a #23 needle. No Problem We have delivered more that 4000 of these machine along with all of of other models. Over 31,800 Artisan brand machines to date. Artisan manufacturers and ships about 150 to 225 leather sewing machine monthly. We are a real company with a large staff of dedicated people and are located in a brick building of over 14,000 square feet. We are far from a pay-by-the-month warehouse, or a one man show. We offer free telephone support and a lifetime limited warranty on all of our equipment. Because of our volume of shipping, we can also offer the lowest possible freight rates in North America. Call us for additional info. Please do your homework, call the suppliers, except for the snake, all are good people. Some have better products like Artisan, Juki and Weaver, others less quality. Ask questions.Check out what I say. Jerry Zonis Owner of Artisan Sewing Supplies for over 44 years 888 838 1408

Your machine is a Junker un Ruh.

I am also interested in purchasing a Junker Ruh S.D. 28 as seen on the HCC site. I will pay a handsome profit to the correct owner of such small leather stitching machinery. I am adding to our collection of antique stitchers and intend to one day present a display of the history of boot, shoe, and saddle making. Jerry Zonis Artisan Company, Ltd Los Angeles, CA USA 90040 JerryZ@artisansew.com

Hi Punchy, I'm Jerry from Artisan. I'd like to help and answer your questions about the right sewing machine for your type of leather work. But,I am cautious about sounding like a commercial. If you and the other members would like some valuable and maybe a little biased but truthful info about all brands`of machinery, I would like to help. Please let me know. Best regards, JerryZ at Artisan Sewing Machines JerryZ@artisansew.com By the way the ever loving ART and Johanna have asked me to "jump in" if I thought I could be helpful. I would like to contribute more of my knowledge here to help everyone, but I am aware that some the forum think that I have only self interest. Their is some truth to that, but I can help to decipher some of the half truths and plain mistakes written here. I would like to try.

Some of the 31 class machines were shipped from the Singer Sewing Machine Factory in Elizabeth Port N.J. with a round groove, designed for a 5/32" diameter round leather belt and mounted on a foot powered treadle "Table" for tailors, etc or from a "line shaft". The handwheels with pulleys designed for v-belts were originally intended by Singer to be sold for "factory" production manufacturing, or in other words to be operated from a "safety table" with some kind of a motorized transmitter or motor. Singer model 31 class machines were manufactured for many many years. It was a successful design, inexpensive to produce and was an amazingly good product for its time. They were produced in several countries around the world in various forms from about 1895 to just a few years ago. In fact copies are still manufactured in India and Russia. Although the materials are not the same as when Singer poured castings in New Jersey and Connecticut, literally threw them out in the snow and summer heat for a few years before machining and assembling them, some poorer countries still use a 31 style machine for tailoring purposes. Jerry

Greg My purpose was not to try to do as you suggested, but to try to help people without a lot of experience. I do not want people to get ripped off either. I thought that was the whole purpose of this site. To exchange information between people with common needs, ideas and to help others. Jerry

Hi Ed. By now, most people know of our reputation and sincere ability to solve any stitching issue. Most people should believe that if you called me, Steve, or Dave, we will TRUTHFULLY answer any question anyone might have about any sewing machine ever made. Why not take the Professionals opinion and not someone who may not have all the information necessary to make a good decission or provide you with a correct or more exacting answer to your quirry! Especially about an Artisan product. Of course, we earn our living by selling sewing machinery, but we also are members of the community and we will try to help you with an honest opinion, every time! I only have 41 years experience, and I am the fourth generation in my family to be in the sewing machinery business. Steve has been in the business for almost 37 years and Dave 34 years. We have helped every kind of business to choose the correct stitching machine for their exact requirements. We have set up huge sewing factories of over 1000 sewers down to our kind of people, a one person craftsman who is just starting out. Please phone or e-mail us. We will help you with any issue. The TORO 2500 and TORO 2600 machines are BIG and Heavy. The first one weighs over 120 LBS, the second about 160 LBS. Head only. I don't think that either is very portable. Jerry Artisan 888 838 1408

Hi Aaron. I'm going to add my 2 cents worth, although biased as it may be. Why don't you just stop wasting your valuable time and order a new Artisan model A-100-2 LTHR stitcher for $895.00. or a Large rotating hook machine, an Artisan 5550- Big H for $1020.00? Either machine will come with an Artisan electronic DC Servo Motor, a speed reducer (SR-2), automatic lubrication, a roller presser foot, and even a LIFETIME WARRANTY. Both stitchers have a reverse mechanism for back tacking and reverse stitching. Your new Artisan machine will sew better than any 31-15 or 31-20 ever did on its best day and will be quiet and trouble free. You will not be getting a 50 to 80 year old hunk of iron in who knows what condition. That's what I would do. Jerry Artisan 888 838 1408

Hi I am truly sorry to read about your misfortune. try calling this company in North Miami Beach: Pfaff Industrial Sewing Machine company. 16501 Northeast 15th Ave. ~ N. Miami Bch., FL-33162 ~ TEL.: 305 354-8060 ~ USA 800 890-1217 EMAIL: indsew1@aol.com ~ www.miamisewing.com. I believe the they can help you. By the way, they say they have an inventory of over 22,000 used industrial sewing machines. Artisan

The only basic differences between a Singer 31-15 and a 31-20 is that the -20 has a larger bobbin and holds more thread. Both are fine machines when adjusted properly and for the correct tailoring and light weight leather stitching applications.

A Singer 241-12 was a fine, for its day, high speed lockstitch dressermaker industrial/factory sewing machine with a fully automation lubrication system. The machine was first released by The Singer Company about 1929. It was a good machine for lightweight woven fabrics and has been replaced by the Singer 251, then 281, then 291, then 491, and now by all of the other similar high speed lockstitch type factory production sewing machines.

This is a reply to Tony C in Australia. Try phoning up our agent in Sydney. Mr. Warren Ball at 612 977 44115 or 610 4077 08415. His company inventories Highlead brand and Artisan brand products. He is also traveling to Melborne for a small saddlers show later this week. Give him a call. He is knowledgeable and can help you. Jerry at Artisan 888 838 1408 www.artisansew.com

I have been encouraged by Johanna and Art to contribute to the discussions on the forum. I'm going to take their advice and respond to your query about a good light to medium weight stitcher. We designed the new Artisan model 1797 AB Lthr for stitching from a sheet of paper or even 1/2 oz leather like deer skin, buck skin, or lamb or about anything up to 3/8" compressed. The Artisan 1797 sews a perfectly equidistant stitch with a tight stitch and with out puckering the leather. Ask others about their experiences with the smoothest machine we make. For more info, call me 888 838 1408 Jerry Artisan