jacobm3

Yeah, it's pretty nice, I really like it.

It says "Marshal Genuine Leather" but there's some kind of heavy magazine paper printed in Thai, Sanskrit or something like that on the back side of the leather. I pulled most of the lining and paper out already because it was disintegrating, but here's a picture of what's still in there. I bought it from an East Indian purse and wallet store off Harwin in Houston for $7. I didn't expect it to last this long or wear so well. I guess my real question is, how do people make something so precise by hand or so small and tight with a machine? Would you make this by hand or machine if you wanted to make another one like it?

Thank you sir!

I have a 10 year old wallet I love, very thin leather, that's starting to wear through in the corners. The fabric/paper liners have long fallen apart. The wallet is constructed like a small bag rather than just two flat pieces of leather sewn face to face. Does this look hand sewn or machine sewn? I'm surprised at how fine and close to the edge the stitching is. Thank you, Jacob

Regional price differences are significant even within Texas. I initially talked to Southwest Sewing when I was looking for a flatbed machine (Consew 206RB) and they were friendly but their prices were several hundred dollars more than new prices for the same machines in other cities. Talked to Bob in Toledo about the Cowboy and he referred me down to Alexander at Solar Leather in Arlington who spent time with me on the phone providing guidance and answering all my questions; I'm excited to say he's putting a new CB227R on a truck for me today! I'm going to pick it up from a freight hub in Houston rather than having it delivered to my home which saves on shipping too. Also, it turns out the CB227R does have a safety clutch, it just wasn't mentioned in the product pages I found online. Can't wait to get it setup, it sounds like an awesome machine and my $109 Singer 4411 will be happy for me to stop running vinyl and heavy thread through it! Thanks for everyone's input!

Also, how important is a safety clutch? I have a good habit so far of created bird's nests every now and then.

Hello All, This is my first post and I'd like get a sanity check before spending a bunch of money on a new machine. I just learned how to sew a month or two ago in order to repair a jacket (which led to me buying a new Singer 4411 and a Singer 237 from an estate sale) and I'm still figuring out what's what and realizing my home machines have very real limits. Leatherworker has been a great source of information. THANK YOU! I realized I'm surrounded by fun potential projects that I can't do with my lightweight machines - custom shade sails for the patio, wallets, laptop bags, reupholstering my 10+ year old car interiors, upholstering outdoor furniture, custom dog collar a friend's new bulldog, etc... I was looking at the Consew 206RB and planned to find a used machine on Houston Craigslist, but the used prices in Houston are about twice what I've read other people on LW paying recently in other parts of the country. I don't want to pay 80% of retail for a 20-40 year old machine with an unknown maintenance history. I've been reading a lot here and I'm thinking about ordering a Cowboy CB227R cylinder bed instead. Here are my planned/ideal requirements: - able to sew multiple layers of heavy canvas/sunbrella for shade sails - auto upholstery (leather, vinyl, fabric, some 3D shapes that might be a challenge with a flatbed) - cordura and/or light/medium leather for wallets, backpacks, messenger bags, purses, canvas/leather bags - available accessories, feet, parts, etc. (I heard Pfaff and Adler parts are very expensive and the Cowboy takes common accessories) - good torque and control at very low speed (Cowboy comes with a speed reducer and a servo motor) - able to handle heaviest thread weight required by the above types of projects Ideally I'd like this machine to also be able to handle hemming denim jeans, which seems to be on the upper end of what my existing Singers can handle. I was looking forward to having the stitch length dial and a dedicated spring-loaded reverse lever on a 206RB-5 though. I like the all metal construction of my Singer 237, but I really like having separate stitch length and reverse controls Is the Cowboy CB227R the best choice for me or is there another machine I should consider? I originally hoped to pick something up off CL for a few hundred dollars but I realize that's probably not going to happen. I'd like to stay under the $1600. Thanks in advance! -Jacob