Harrybagpipes Report post Posted January 30, 2023 I’m new to sewing machines regarding leather work. I found a Highlead GC2698-1 locally for sale. They say that it is in good working order and just needs the bobbin tension adjusted. They’re asking $900 for it. Should I go for it or stay away from it? Thanks in advance from a noob. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 30, 2023 19 minutes ago, Harrybagpipes said: I’m new to sewing machines regarding leather work. I found a Highlead GC2698-1 locally for sale. They say that it is in good working order and just needs the bobbin tension adjusted. They’re asking $900 for it. Should I go for it or stay away from it? Thanks in advance from a noob. I looked up one of these machines for sale and read the specs. It is strictly a light duty machine that specs out at a #18 needle (V69 thread). This is not a good machine for general leather sewing, It is more useful for hemming pants and cloth jackets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harrybagpipes Report post Posted January 30, 2023 Thank you. That’s the information I was looking for. What machine would you recommend for a new person that does this for fun but would like to expand a bit? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 30, 2023 6 hours ago, Harrybagpipes said: Thank you. That’s the information I was looking for. What machine would you recommend for a new person that does this for fun but would like to expand a bit? What do you want to sew on a sewing machine? Define your parameters first so the recommendations meet them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harrybagpipes Report post Posted January 31, 2023 I would like to sew through multiple layers of 2-3 oz leather. I’m getting into making some holsters and wallets for myself and belts and bags for my wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 31, 2023 On 1/30/2023 at 8:26 PM, Harrybagpipes said: I would like to sew through multiple layers of 2-3 oz leather. I’m getting into making some holsters and wallets for myself and belts and bags for my wife. Most upholstery class compound feed walking foot machines can sew through at least 5/16 inch of leather. Some can sew 3/8 of an inch. On the face of it, you'd think any walking foot machine will do everything I just mentioned, and then some. I hate to tell you but it isn't necessarily so! Poking a thin needle through a stack of leather is one thing. Doing so with large enough size of thread to secure that stack is another thing. Wallet interiors can be sewn with #69 (aka: T70) bonded thread, using a #18 needle. It has about 10.7 pounds breaking strength if its good quality and not old and dried out. Wallet backs can be sewn to interiors with #92 (T90) bonded thread, using a #19 or #20 needle. It has about 15 pounds breaking strength. Bags vary in thickness. Assuming you want to make one that is about 8 ounces thick at the seams, you would use #138 bonded thread and a #23 needle. It has 22 pounds strength. Most walking foot machines can handle these three sizes of thread. They usually max out at #138, top and bottom, with a #23 needle. Holsters are a whole nuther story. They have to hold a heavy firearm and not fall apart under the stress of holstering the weapon or moving around while carrying it. They need stronger thread than most walking foot machines can handle. I wouldn't recommend using anything under #207 (T210) bonded thread on a holster or sheath, using a #24 needle. The thicker the stack, the heavier the thread required to hold it together. I routinely use #277 thread (#25 needle) on 3/8 inch thick holsters and #346 (#26 needle) at 1/2 inch. These thread/needle combinations are outside the capability of most walking foot machines. You need a harness and holster class machine to sew these things properly. This usually translates into a 441 class machine, based on the Juki TSC-441 design. Thus, your journey begins! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harrybagpipes Report post Posted February 1, 2023 Wow thank you so much for all that information. It’s folks like you that make getting into a new hobby less intimidating. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
