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@Wizcrafts, will upholstery class machines sew Kydex? If so, what is the maximum thickness and minimum needle size?

These are all bottom feed machines I am referring to here but I do not think you need a walking foot for what you are planning to use it for. Machines to look for include a Singer 20U, Pfaff 138 or 238, Consew 99 or a Bernina 217. Also consider that an old Kenmore domestic machine (all metal) might do what you want for around $50. That is what I would try first.

Sold.

I'm selling my Juki 562 sewing machine with table, bobbin winder and clutch motor. Also included are 10 new bobbins and 10 needles. I just replaced the face plate, upper tension assembly, throat plate and feed dog with new parts from SouthStar Supply. It sews great with a full 1/4" maximum stitch (6.3mm) and an equal sized reverse stitch. It has a clutch motor, you might want to put a servo on it. I need to thin the herd to make some space. I am selling it for $750. I am located in Grants Pass, Oregon about an hour North of the California border. I am really hoping for a local pick-up but can drive up to 60 miles to meet you.

Interesting. They call this a Cowbow CB6500 medium to heavy sewing machine. It looks exactly like a Juki LS-1341. That binder is not synchronized, just bolted to a metal plate. I looked at the specs and they list maximum thread as 277 but the needle range is 20-24. I think a 277 thread needs a 25-28 needle, doesn't it? I don't have any personal experience in this range of thread. It must be fairly new as Cowboysew posted the video 3 days ago. Maybe one of the Cowboy dealers can comment here.

You scored! That Consew is a solid machine that has tons of parts and accessories available for it. If it were me, I would sell the Rex unless you want it for working on non-leather materials that won't get marred by the teeth on the foot. You may never be 'officially done' buying machines though. It is hard to pass up a nice machine when the price is right. It is always handy to have an extra machine set up for a specific task like binding.

@R8R, I am curious about your experience with the Techsew 2600. You said you were not happy with it, not enough umph. The specs show maximum thread as 138. You are considering a Juki DSC-246 and from my searching is limited to 92 thread. What range of capacities are you looking for. I ask because I am looking for a binder for my Juki 1341.

I have bought parts for the Pfaff 138 from the ebay seller brleder a few times. He had good prices and fast, inexpensive shipping ($6-$7). It is worth checking to see if your knurled nuts are really stripped, or maybe the split tension stud has squeezed together making the nuts act like they are stripped.

Here is an instruction manual specifically for the 206rb-4 in pdf format at ebay for $4. I am not sure if the information you need is in the instruction manual. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Consew-206RB-4-Instruction-Book-Operating-Instructions-Manual-PDF-File-Document/183457297738?hash=item2ab6e8354a:g:Ye0AAOSwpP9Y4~8D