TheMighty4th

Do you have any suggestions for another single needle machine that would be easier? I’m not so much worried about the depth of the throat, as the wides thing I’ve done this far was a bible cover. I mostly make holsters, belts, and saps. I was mainly looking at the needle and awl type of machine because the saps I make are three layers of 10-11 oz, or four layers of 8-9 oz. I know that is beyond the capability of a lot of leather stitching machines. I may just be out of luck. I have one of the Chinese shoe patchers that works pretty well, but it can’t sew that thick, and I don’t want to get something like a tippman boss, and be right back in the hand-crank boat.

I am looking at purchasing an American straight needle industrial sewing machine that is Available in my state. From the online pictures, it looks to be a bit dirty, but according to the posting, it “runs good”. I’m pretty sure I would like to have a needle and awl machine, as I stitch a lot of heavy leather, but I don’t know a ton about them. All I have had so far is a Chinese shoe patch machine, which I have tuned and modified so that it runs well (size 23 needle w/207 thread). The price is around $1000, so I assume it may need some work. Any info what to look for on mechanical issues, parts availability, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all!