Help choosing a cylinder arm machine

[kgg]

3 minutes ago, SandyinAnaheim said:

So how do you like the Kobe?

I haven't had any problems with the Kobe LS-1341 machine. In this class maybe another one too consider would be the Cowboy CB341.

kgg

[1hp]

these guys are in LA:

https://zamirsew.net/leather-machines/

purchased a 206RB5 about 10 years ago from them. it arrived set up perfectly.

[SandyinAnaheim]

5 hours ago, 1hp said:

these guys are in LA:

https://zamirsew.net/leather-machines/

purchased a 206RB5 about 10 years ago from them. it arrived set up perfectly.

Thank you, I'll reach out tomorrow.

[SandyinAnaheim]

I called the only two industrial sewing machine shops I could find within a 50 mile radius and neither has a Juki LS 1341 for me to try. One of the shops, while a Juki dealer, said they'd never had anyone ask for an LS 1341 or ever had one in their shop....I asked if they had ANY compound feed cylinder arm machines for me to try and they didn't understand what I was asking for and said I could come in and look at their Consew industrials. They said they mostly sell a wide variety of Juki domestics, but could order any Juki I want and would likely be received in 90 days....  The other shop is focused mainly on repairs and didn't understand what I was asking for either.

I plan on heading over to Leather Machine Co. tomorrow morning to look at the Series 26.

I'd like to hear what @Wizcrafts thoughts might be on Thor vs TechSew.

[kgg]

58 minutes ago, SandyinAnaheim said:

I plan on heading over to Leather Machine Co. tomorrow morning to look at the Series 26.

When you checkout the machines tomorrow check and make sure it reverses into the same holes as the forward stitches made.

kgg

[SandyinAnaheim]

30 minutes ago, kgg said:

When you checkout the machines tomorrow check and make sure it reverses into the same holes as the forward stitches made.

kgg

OK, I will! Thank you. I find it surprising that I can't locate a cylinder arm to try out....

[kgg]

1 hour ago, SandyinAnaheim said:

I find it surprising that I can't locate a cylinder arm to try out....

You may have to expand you search radius.

kgg

[DonInReno]

Getting a first industrial will make you wonder why you didn’t get one sooner!  One thing to keep in mind is that Industrials are not built like a domestic machine - they are made to run all day long, week after week, month after month - for occasional residential use you’ll never wear one out if it’s oiled correctly.

I don’t believe there’s some problem specific to the series 26 - the design is nothing new and their parts are comparable in quality to the better clones.   I’ve read the belly aching of a dozen different series 26 owners and every one of those seemed to resist common sense - I think the problems you’ve heard about are more a function of unfamiliarity with sewing in general, a resistance to help offered, and the buyers are trying to sew maximum thickness leather with maximum thread thickness, and not knowing what the problem really was so they blame it on timing.   

If you live near Leather Machines that would be a big advantage to a 26 - any issues would be quick to get advice or warranty work done.

If a cobra 26 is like a Toyota, then the Juki or phaff would be a Lexis - the fit and finish are better, the components are slightly better, options are fancier, it would be slightly smoother, and it would last slightly longer.   You would have to sew 6 hours a day for two decades to see the difference though.

I’d warn against putting too much weight on one manufacturers options over another unless you know for sure it’s something that would affect you.  For instance smaller diameter cylinders often mean your giving up something in return - make sure that tradeofff makes sense for you.

If you are risk adverse and want to avoid troubles keep in mind less common clones like Kobe, Thor, and Techsew are known as being more likely to have problems than Juki, Cowboy or cobra unless that’s all that’s in your budget.   There’s no free lunch - if a machine is significantly cheaper some corners were cut somewhere.  I’ve sorted out issues with those brands that were just crappy quality parts.   Maybe they are better now, or those machines just slipped by quality control, but I doubt it. 

[Frances]

This is all very interesting and informative - thank you everyone. 
I've been sewing a very long time (my mom taught sewing when I was growing up and I'm retired). I'm am interested in getting an industrial for heavier projects - bags, dog toys(!), repairs on outdoor equipment for Scouts, etc. My brain is swirling with all the things I have in mind. :-) 

I was shown a machine that I think is a TechSew. The manufacturer wasn't clearly marked, but the model number was "2150MX". 
It is a cylinder bed triple walking foot that does both zigzag and straight stitch. Needless to say it was rather pricey ($3495 new from a local dealer). It was mounted to a Consew table, but I can't find anything like it on their site. The only thing I was really told was "it took us a year to get this one". (Ok whatever on that.) The seller ran it briefly on zigzag, unplugged it and walked away. 
It looks an awful lot like the Techsew, and the closest I can find online is a Techsew 2150-2 for $3999. 

Here are my questions:
Do any of y'all have or have used a combination zigzag/straight stitch cylinder bed machine? 
Good idea/bad idea? 
Run far far away because there's too much to go wrong with it being a "combo" machine?
Would it be better to have separate machines - one zigzag and one straight stitch? 

TY-

Frances

[sewstuff]

Sandy, Did you get a Thor then? They do not seem to be mentioned online but rarely so nobody bragging or complaining? Many recommendations for Cobra Class 26. Looking for one myself sight unseen.