olie

This is all really illuminating and super helpful. Thank you all! It's seems like my local shop's prices are competitive. I think I'll just go down there and look at a few different hides and hope for something that I like the color of and therefore don't have to dye. I'm not super into chemicals. Contact cement is about all I can handle :-)

Thanks Dwight! That's helpful. McPherson's here in Seattle has double shoulders for $7.89/sq. ft. And a larger one is maybe 17 sq ft. That's $135. Any idea approximately how many 1½" belts I might get that are at least 45" long? I've never held and measured a double shoulder before.

But it ultimately depends on the width of the hide, the person at the shop told me they were appx 25" wide, and unless they're longer than at least 80", I can't get two lengthwise. 25" wide will give me 16, 1½" belts. Of course I'll have a big piece to do something else with, but not more belts.

I'm doing a run of around 20 belts. I want to use 8/9 oz veg tan. It'll end up dark brown and I'm ok with dyeing them myself if it saves some money. My question is can I really save that much money cutting the straps myself? Where's the best deal on hides long enough for belts and/or pre cut straps? My local supplier gets about $8.20/sq. ft. Is that a good price? by my calculations, that will put me over $15 a strap and I'll have to cut and dye them myself. Doesn't seem worth it. Thanks in advance for your help!

I think it is actually a 226, not sure if that makes it a better or worse deal for me.

I was wrong, there are good reviews of the P120RB auto oiling system from slow sew-ers.

I have more pics

Here's where i'm at. The new machines from shops that are set up and ready to go, are all at least $1500. There is a Consew P1206RB that is in box un-assembled with servo motor for $1195. That one doesn't seem to get very good reviews due to the poor auto oiling system. Plus, i don't know what I'm doing, seems best to get a machine that at least someone has used and made to work. Here's some pics of the used one and the link to the new one. Again, thanks so much for your advice and opinions! https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/fod/5540462455.html

I'm looking for a machine to make bags and wallets with. A friend has an older Consew 206rb. Not sure if it's rb-1, 2, 3 or what. It's got white paint, so it's not the original 206rb. It's got a clutch motor and no speed reducer. He wants $800 for it. After I add a servo motor and/or speed reducer, it'll end up costing almost as much as a new machine. Should I buy it or buy something new? Looking at a Highlead GC0618-1S that I can buy new locally. I have not tried a walking foot machine at all, so I don't know what it's like to sew with either type of motor. I do know that I want to be able sew slowly. Thanks in advance for you help!