Techsew Ron

awesome work Chris !

I'm happy to report I've started an educational section on our website for exactly these purposes. Visit http://shop.raphaelsewing.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=5 Basically you can read about different feeding systems, bobbins, thread, motors, presser feet and more. We will be constantly updating this section with any suggestions I read in this thread. Additionally, customers can choose options from the drop down list of applications to be directed to the perfect machine for their needs. One of the questions we get very often when a customer receives a machine is related to threading. This is why we make threading videos for all of our machines and pre-thread every machine prior to shipment. Other common questions are related to adjusting machine tension, thread and needle size compatibility, presser foot installation and bobbin winding. If anyone would like to offer suggestions I'd be happy to add them to our educational section for the world to see. Cheers to Rick for the great idea. Ron @ Techsew

Good idea... TechSew University kind of has a nice ring to it

Thanks for your support Tom. Glad you're happy with your Techsew 2700. Kevin, feel free to give me a call tomorrow if you need any information, we can definitely accommodate your needs with a custom setup. Cheers, Ron

A bit harsh wouldn't you say? Bob's motors are great, and nick o sew is also company with a good reputation. I'm sure their motors are fine too. my 2 cents. Ron @ techsew

You'd be better off going with the walking foot machine for sewing guitar straps and wallets. Much better if you're working with multiple layers or thicker leather somewhere down the line. Get yourself a left toe foot and roller guide to sew your stitches right along the edge of the strap. Wizcrafts sews guitar straps with a flatbed walking foot machine, he could probably offer some extra insight on the matter. Good luck! Ron

The Pfaff 145 H4 is a great medium weight machine, you can sew up to about 16oz to 18oz thick using 138 thread and #23 or #24 needle. You could even push it to a #207 thread. This is a good machine for sewing bags and cases, however depending on personal preference you may want to look at a cylinder walking foot machine if you need to get into tight corners or the insides of a bag. Ron

Looks good Chris! Thanks for the kind words. Let me know if you need help with anything at all. Ron

you're right, Spinner. Techsew 2700 uses the singer 153w "G" bobbin. Let me know if you have any other questions! Enjoy your new machine. Ron

Hi Kevin, Depends how thin you need to sew. The Techsew 5100 for example will sew from 7oz all the way up to 7/8" thick. To go from thick to thin you just need to make a few minor tension adjustments and go down to a smaller needle and thread size. If you're sewing mainly thinner items up to about 3/8" you can go with a cylinder walking foot machine like the Techsew 2700. What kind of items are you sewing?

We offer free instructional videos online for all of our machines, click on the following link to see the bobbin winding and threading process for our Techsew 5100 which is the same machine. Enjoy your new stitcher! Ron

We deal with many customers who sew slippers, gloves and winter boots using a variety of furs. They typically use machines such as the Techsew 202 or Techsew 402 for sewing together fur pelts or sewing fur/sheepskin onto leather, suede and more. Ron

anytime Russ! Just e-mailed you a copy of the owner's manual. Let me know if you need anything else. Ron

Thanks for your support Chris, was a pleasure doing business with you. Let me know if you need anything! Ron

Hi Bob, Feel free to visit our website or give me a call if you have any questions. Happy thanksgiving, Ron

This is something that needs to be reiterated. We get a lot of customers asking about the Techsew 5100 and its ability to sew garment weight leather and other light materials. My answer has always been yes, this machine technically CAN sew lighter leather with a size 69 or 90 thread, but it takes a lot of adjusting of tension and pressure because the machine is designed for sewing heavy materials. One doesn't need a 441 clone for sewing handbags and upholstery weight leather- get the right machine that was designed to sew your application. Here to help! Ron

If anything this shows the amount of work and effort that myself, Steve, Bob and other dealers put into machines before shipping them to a customer. Dealing with overseas agents, customs, import taxes and fees, set up, tuning, adjustment, modifications, testing, assembly, shipping preparation etc involves countless hours of work! Thanks for posting. Ron

saw this display at a few stores in Florida recently. Really creative !

You're right Wiz...you'll definitely pay more for a Juki machine. Right now we don't have any new Juki walking foot machines in stock, we have a couple of used ones though. We do have a new cylinder walking foot machine that would be appropriate for wallet production. Feel free to give us a call for more information. Ron

Hi Matt, thanks for your interest in our machines. While the Techsew GA5-1R is a great leather stitcher, I would not recommend it for sewing wallets, handbags or chaps. This machine has a pretty aggressive feeding mechanism that is more suitable for heavy leather work such as harnesses, tack, tool belts and more. The most appropriate machine for you would be the Techsew 2700, which is an all purpose general leather work machine suitable for wallets, handbags, chaps, belts, vests, upholstery and more. Since it is a compound feed (triple feed) machine, it will not damage your leather at all. It comes equipped with the Techsew SmartServo motor ideal for speed control and we also have an optional flatbed table attachment for this machine. Feel free to give me a call if you have any other questions! Thanks, Ron

Not all servo motors with digital readout are the same. The Techsew SmartServo motor, which we supply on most of our leather stitchers, does NOT have to be in motion in order to change the speed. Our motor was engineered to change speeds at any time as long as the motor is on. I definitely do not recommend reaching down to adjust your motor while you're sewing! Sounds dangerous! Ron

Will be tough to find a cylinder walking foot machine (new or used) for under $1000, but you can find a flatbed walking foot machine from any of the dealers on this forum for around $1000-$1300. Go with a triple feed (compound feed) machine, large bobbin, servo motor if possible. Ron

Here you go Josh, top and bottom stitching with the Techsew GA5-1R. No modification or rubbing of any kind. Thanks, Ron

Try to search only for machines under the Manufacturing & Metalworking category and ignore anything that says "industrial strength'' in the title. For the work you're doing, you'll need a flatbed walking foot machine with full table and industrial motor (preferably servo motor for speed control). Ron