I have only been leatherworking for 2 months now but I have found that I really enjoy it and am considering taking this hobby to the next level by buying an intro level sewing machine. I mainly enjoy the creative process of creating my own patterns and tweaking holster designs of my own creation. Although I feel I have become decent at hand sewing, it is kind of a drag & is by far the most time consuming build element for a hand sewer.
As far as I can tell there really are only 4 main choices for a novice holster builder like myself who is looking for the most reasonably priced sewing machine. A machine by Cowboy Sew might fit into the "intro level" category, but they do not post prices on their site and I have yet to call them.
Right now the Techsew GA5-1R looks the most attractive to me. It only can sew up to 7/16" thickness (about 4 layers of 7 oz leather), but am I correct in thinking that will be enough for someone who will build only holsters?
If the Boss was available for under a thousand dollars it would make it a 'no brainer' choice for me, but is the ability to sew up to 3/4" really worth the extra cost? Particularly since it is a manually operated machine?
If cost was no option a TORO 3000 or a Cobra Class 3 would obviously be the way to go. But in the real world where price matters, I am forced to ask -
Is the abiility to sew 3/4" or thicker leather worth the extra cost for a holster maker?
and, if not...
Does the quality of the Artisan or TORO machine justify the additional cost over the Techsew?
I appreciate any thoughts on this stuff, particularly from experienced folks who have owned one or more of these machines.
Thanks,
Lance
Before I knew to ask around, I bought an Artisan flatbed and cylinder bed. The Artisan flatbed's motor has always been very iffy. They replaced it already for me, and it still is a problem ... hesitates when I have any kind of thickness at all. My Artisan cylinder bed won't accept heavy thread, which it is supposed to. The timing reset button never worked. It jams easily and very, very badly... (I've been sewing for 30+ years, so I'm not a stranger to machines.) When you need your machine to work, and it won't, and this happens repeatedly -- exactly what have you got? neither your investment dollars nor a functioning machine. And you feel like a fool for buying their stuff and putting yourself at their mercy.
I bought the Cobra Class 4 about a half-year ago, and it's been purring ever since. It'll roll through the thickest stuff I give it like it was butter. The control is superb. It tracks straight as a string. I'm able to sew really tight curves, never skips a stitch. It's everything I've ever wanted, and I'm going to purchase the EPS upgrade so that it's even better. And it's as silent as a breeze, which isn't critical but it's nice. The presser foot makes a groove that the thread sits down into, so the stitch looks handmade. Very attractive stitch.
** Speaking of which, you need to look at samples of stitches put out by each machine you're considering. There is stitch quality discrepancy among the different brand machines.
Holster Sewing Machines - Lets Talk
in Leather Sewing Machines
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Before I knew to ask around, I bought an Artisan flatbed and cylinder bed. The Artisan flatbed's motor has always been very iffy. They replaced it already for me, and it still is a problem ... hesitates when I have any kind of thickness at all. My Artisan cylinder bed won't accept heavy thread, which it is supposed to. The timing reset button never worked. It jams easily and very, very badly... (I've been sewing for 30+ years, so I'm not a stranger to machines.) When you need your machine to work, and it won't, and this happens repeatedly -- exactly what have you got? neither your investment dollars nor a functioning machine. And you feel like a fool for buying their stuff and putting yourself at their mercy.
I bought the Cobra Class 4 about a half-year ago, and it's been purring ever since. It'll roll through the thickest stuff I give it like it was butter. The control is superb. It tracks straight as a string. I'm able to sew really tight curves, never skips a stitch. It's everything I've ever wanted, and I'm going to purchase the EPS upgrade so that it's even better. And it's as silent as a breeze, which isn't critical but it's nice. The presser foot makes a groove that the thread sits down into, so the stitch looks handmade. Very attractive stitch.
** Speaking of which, you need to look at samples of stitches put out by each machine you're considering. There is stitch quality discrepancy among the different brand machines.
good luck with your decision.
P.