Search the Community

Hi All, Thanks for such a great forum! I’m helping my wife find a sewing machine for her leather work. She knows how to sew on a machine, but has been hand stitching her leather projects so far. She’s a hobbyist at the moment, but people are already asking her to do work for them. I’d like to get her a machine that will allow her to sew knife sheaths, messenger and camera bags, straps, notebook covers and also costume pieces (think viking style). I’ve found a few machines locally (Atlanta), all from sewing machine repair shops. They have all been serviced and are working now, so they're not project machines. (I have enough of those already!) Please see pics- I’ll include one or two of each machine, but I have more if you need to see something specific. The first one is a Singer 211G 155 with a table, new hook and clutch motor. This machine is not fully done, but is close. (Servo is optional for $100) 90 day warranty. $650 Next is an Adler 67-GK373 with reverse, walking foot, new top, legs and motor. $695 with NO warranty. Lastly, a Mercury (branded United) M-120-1 with Cylinder arm, 550w servo motor, thread stand etc. for $1895 with 90 day warranty. Sorry for all the stuff sitting one this machine. It actually looks amazing. And looks similar to some of the Cowboy machines in the shape of the body. So- if you care to share your thoughts I will greatly appreciate it. I’m under no real pressure to get one (other than it would make an awesome Christmas gift) so if none of these looks good, or are priced wrong, let me know. Thanks again and happy sewing! PPS43

Hello All! I'm looking for anyone with first hand knowledge of two different servo motors I'm looking at for my Singer 211G165. It's on a clutch motor now, and I'd like to switch to a servo for speed control, noise reduction, and lower energy consumption. Additionally, I'm more concerned with control over speed, think detailed stitch control for leather appliques, tight corner turns, and unusual curves. I'd still like to get as much torque as I can since I will be doing a fair amount of multi-layer work (like with bags, backpacks, coats, and corsets). Material-wise, I'll mostly be using it for garment and upholstery weight leathers as well as canvases and sometimes denims. I'm pretty much a complete noobie with very little motor and electrical knowledge. My research, thus far, consists predominantly of scouring the forum for feedback and comments and reading what few other reviews I've located via Google searches. There's quite a lot of positive feedback regarding the Family Sew FS-500 motors here on the forums, and I almost feel like I know the folks at Toledo Industrial Sewing at this point (that's a gold start for you guys, if you're reading this); although, I've yet to call and talk to them--it's on my to-do list. With regards to the Reliablle SewQuiet line, I've not located anything (yet) here on Leatherworker.net regarding those motors, but did find several threads on the hotrodder forums with considerable positive feedback; although almost all of those were on the 5000 series which is no longer available and now replaced with the "upgraded" Reliable Sewquiet 6000SM Both Motors are rated at 3/4 HP. The Family Sew is a brush motor with a cork brake (there appears to be mixed feelings on the brake and ease of operation regarding projects with only a few stitches/stitch-by-stitch work) and uses a knob adjustment for speed control. The SewQuiet 6000SM is a brushless motor that incorporates a 12 coil design "for improved torque" (that's about as much as I understand about that!), has a digital speed control limiter, and, supposedly, employs their "STEP STITCHING TECHNOLOGY - SST™" for control with detailed sewing. It also has an optional synchronizer available for precise up/down needle control (a plus with applique work and turning as opposed to hand-wheeling it all the time). On paper, the Reliable seems to better fit my needs, assuming it can actually deliver on it's claims. The hotrodder guys seems to highly prefer the 5000 series over the Family Sew machines. HOWEVER, I greatly value the opinions of other leatherworkers here, and everything I see is referencing the Family Sew. Now, whether the Family Sew is better, or the folks here just haven't explored the more recent Reliable Sewquiets, I don't know. Thus this post. Thanks to each and every one of you that take the time to read this and hopefully reply with your experiences! (: A new motor is on the short list for my holiday present this year, and I'm hoping I make the right decision.