Svey302 Report post Posted January 11, 2023 Good day, I have been looking for a while to get a walking foot sewing machine suitable for leatherwork. This machine which I believe is either a clone or rebranded of the Juki 563 is for sale in my region (Montreal, Canada) for a 695$ cdn. From the worn paint, the machine looks well used, I went to see it work with some sample of leather is use for hand sewing. Should I pass on that machine and spend a little more at a local used sewing machine shops? or go with this machine and hope for the best? Tx for any input. Yves Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted January 11, 2023 24 minutes ago, Svey302 said: This machine which I believe is either a clone or rebranded of the Juki 563 is for sale in my region (Montreal, Canada) for a 695$ cdn. If it was a Juki 563 that would be roughly the price to be expected for a used one over here in Ontario, Canada. They tend to range from $500 to $1000 depending on condition. For a well used clone I wouldn't pay anywhere near that amount. If it was in the $350 mark, maybe but you have to be prepared for those little unexpected potentially expensive problems. Since this is your first machine I would suggest you go to one of the dealers / repair shops and there a few in the Montreal area to get a machine that has been gone over and in working order. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Svey302 Report post Posted January 11, 2023 Tx kgg, I am leaning in the same direction you are sugesting. Yves Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted January 11, 2023 17 minutes ago, Svey302 said: I am leaning in the same direction you are sugesting. Just my thoughts. What are you planning on making as a flatbed may not be the proper or best machine for your needs/wants. Also what is your budget. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Svey302 Report post Posted January 11, 2023 (edited) My needs/wants : that is a difficult question. At the moment, I am only assembling leather by hand (saddle stitching). I would like to explore something else. Wallets, belts, messenger bags. I also own a 2 sailboats so I could also do my canvas work (at the moment, we have an old juki at the yacht club that I can use.) Edited January 11, 2023 by Svey302 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted January 11, 2023 1 hour ago, Svey302 said: I would like to explore something else. Wallets, belts, messenger bags. I would suggest you consider something like a cylinder bed machine like Juki LS-341 or LS-1341 or clone with a table top attachment. The flatbed machines are good for wallets / belts but the bags are probably better done on cylinder bed. Having a cylinder bed machine with a table top attachment would cover all the bases. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Svey302 Report post Posted January 11, 2023 Tx KGG, Your suggestion makes perfect sense. I will try to see one working locally. Yves Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 12, 2023 6 hours ago, Svey302 said: Tx KGG, Your suggestion makes perfect sense. I will try to see one working locally. Yves Techsew, a division of Raphael Sewing is in your city. Techsew is a leather sewing machine brand. There are several cylinder arm models in their lineup. I have a Techsew 2700 cylinder arm walking foot machine that came with a table attachment. It is a good light to medium duty sewer. I have used #138 thread in it, but #69 and #92 works better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonInReno Report post Posted January 13, 2023 The biggest risk with clones nobody has ever heard of in this condition, is that the parts were never great to begin with and it’s been used in a production shop until it is worn to the point it doesn’t sew correctly. Some clones are as good as the machine it’s a copy of, that doesn’t appear to be the highest quality just based on the shortcuts taken on the fit and finish of the components. I’d say it’s only worth $100 if it sews ok, unless it can be shown to have good quality components in very good condition, then I’d not suggest paying over $200. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Svey302 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 (edited) Following advices from more experienced members, I am now looking for a cylinder arm machine. I have spoken to Techsew, the 2750 is 4k cdn. I am thinking about it. Mostly because I will need to save another 2k to purchase it. This one has come up for sale locally for 980$ cdn Pfaff 345 From the seller: the machine is in good order of working just be serviced and the shuttle hook is new...i doing bags canvas, pvc ,cordura ,and webbing she's set with NM 130 needle and nylon thread 69 ...the Bobin can't take more than 138 threads so you can't saw leathers thicker 3/16 . Even if I have never sewn leather by machine before, I think the 3/16 max thickness is not enough. Edited January 13, 2023 by Svey302 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Svey302 Report post Posted February 10, 2023 (edited) On 1/12/2023 at 12:16 AM, Wizcrafts said: Techsew, a division of Raphael Sewing is in your city. Techsew is a leather sewing machine brand. There are several cylinder arm models in their lineup. I have a Techsew 2700 cylinder arm walking foot machine that came with a table attachment. It is a good light to medium duty sewer. I have used #138 thread in it, but #69 and #92 works better. Tx for your recommendation but as they say, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression...I am talking about Raphael/Techsew. Edited February 10, 2023 by Svey302 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
