CowboyBob

Lightweight zig-zag or straight stitch,can use up to #92 thread,sews 1/4" or alittle more.Parts are still available for it & we have alot of the common items in stock. Bob

I knew I had a pic of the guide on a 97-10 it just took me a while to find it. Bob

I'M pretty sure this model has auto-oil if so keep looking. Bob

Lo varato sale caro. (The cheap comes out expensive) Isn't that the truth!! I've had people with 4-5 machines all some cheapies they have some $$ into & then when they find out they don't work they want to trade them in for what they paid for them & most of the times I don't want or even have a use for them. So if your going to buy used you have to be careful. HTH, Bob

The Seiko would be easier (over in the US) for getting parts,so I would go with it. Bob

There is a Juki Model#450 a lightweight high speed machine that has a walking foot.If it is this model it might be heavy duty enough for sewing maybe chaps,it doesn't make a very long stitch & will not take any thicker than #69 Nylon thread. Bob

No,it won't work ,it's a machine made for high speed sewing in lightweight material like drapes,shirts,& use small thread.It might sew alittle over 1/4" of leather with # 69 thread. HTH, Bob

Looks like a Singer mod#12 to me,I have on @ home I'll have to post a pic of. Bob

It is shorter because of the drag of the leather in reverse.We noticed this problem years ago & determined it is the way the needle bar rock frame is designed,if you look @ it you'll notice it has a bend @ the top which makes it offset & prohibits even feed in reverse w/o the feed dogs.Lower foot pressure might help along with putting some teflon tape on top of the slotted plate to lessen the friction. It's nice to hear the machine is learning how you want it to sew. Bob

The 95 is a shortarm 7" 96

Art is correct they use these alot for lightweight binding,the largest thread is #69 & they won't sew very heavy,They were made for lightweight work like underwear binder in cloth .They also use them for sew hat bands on. Bob

That's a Singer 95 class made for lightweight sewing for tailors ,drapes & etc,it might sew chaps in a pinch with #69 or#92 thread. It's a good price if you can use it. Bob

Here's one I took of the marks left by our Cowboy 2500 machine(same as GA-5). Bob

Just set it on the floor behind the machine & run it up through the center of the big beam on top. Bob

Years ago we had a customer making nylon tow rope w/a 42-5 & he used #346 top & bottom. But since leather is harder to sew I would stick to what Wiz says & use the #277 max rule. As long as you oil the machine regular it'll take the abuse. Bob

The stitch length is on the front,a knob that has a slot in the casting loosen it push it down for longer,it can use up#92 thread & sew 16 oz thick.

Welcome to the forum,the thread is getting bunched up underneath because either it's threaded wrong or the top tension is too loose.This should be a great lighter duty machine for chaps & spur straps. Bob

Here's a pic of a Durkopp.

The 335 Paff is a lighter machine than your 153 & the max thread size is #92 in it,the smaller arm is handy & so is reverse but if your already pushing the other one you betyter keep looking.Probably a used Consew 227R is what you need it has reverse & will sew the same as your machine. Bob

It has a little arm that comes up & pulls the leather back.

Wiz, Did it look like this? Bob

Doug, I;ll check & let you know tomorrow if I have one. Bob

Well,as you now found out you can't bend chrome steel.You could of loosened the 2-clamping screws & moved it to the right so it wouldn't hit,as they wear it's common to have to move them to the left so they are closer to the needle. Bob

I'll have to agree w/Ronnie get the longest you can afford.I do have a saddle maker in Texas that's had our CB3500 for 4 yrs & he says he doesn't need the longer arm & that the little bit of sewing that needs to be done he just hand sews.But since there's just a couple hundred $$ difference most people buy our CB4500 161/2" arm. Bob

What's nice about a cylinder arm is you can always buy or make a flatbed table for it.Our Cowboy cylinder arm machines outsell the flatbeds by 20-1. Bob