Which Hand Operated Sewing Machine works Best?

[MarshalWill]

3 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

@MarshalWill

One of our members just placed an ad for a Cowboy Outlaw for sale. Here is the post.

Thanks for the heads-up. I checked that ad. The price is good but shipping 80 lbs from SC to CA would probably bring the cost up to that of a new one. I wish I was closer.

1 hour ago, Sinbad395 said:

I recently purchased a Cowboy Outlaw. I really like it. It came with attachments in the box and a few small spare parts and bobbin. Its built very sturdily and seems to do what I want it to.  The manual with the machine is ok, could use some more detail but informative. It will, as with all machines take adjustments for type and weight of materials being sewn to perform at peak. That part is pretty straight forward and covered reasonably well in the manual. Not sure you can call this a professional machine, but in my world as a hobbiest, this thing is built like a tank and is very reliable and consistent with a small amount of practice.

Yeah, all machines take some adjustment for whatever you're using it on. I am leaning toward the Outlaw since the other two are made of aluminum, now.

[Charley1]

I've had an aluminum Boss for almost 6 years now, no problems with it. It has paid for itself many times over.

[MarshalWill]

3 hours ago, Charley1 said:

I've had an aluminum Boss for almost 6 years now, no problems with it. It has paid for itself many times over.

That's good to hear. It opens up the field a little. Thanks for that.

[CowboyBob]

11 hours ago, MarshalWill said:

Thanks for the heads-up. I checked that ad. The price is good but shipping 80 lbs from SC to CA would probably bring the cost up to that of a new one. I wish I was closer.

When I ship them double-boxed they weigh 52 Lbs (the extra box & packing weigh 6 lbs) he might want to re-check the weight because he's way off.

[MarshalWill]

I'm going to have to put this purchase on hold for a little while. Things move forward in their own time. It looks like I'll be moving and will get a machine after that. It doesn't make sense to get something else to pack up to move. Thank you all for the great input. Your contributions will make getting a machine much easier when the time comes.

[MarshalWill]

4 hours ago, CowboyBob said:

When I ship them double-boxed they weigh 52 Lbs (the extra box & packing weigh 6 lbs) he might want to re-check the weight because he's way off.

Thanks for this. It's good to know they don't weigh that much.

[CowboyBob]

21 minutes ago, MarshalWill said:

Thanks for this. It's good to know they don't weigh that much.

It's possible he made a wooden crate for it & that's why it so heavy?

[MarshalWill]

20 minutes ago, CowboyBob said:

It's possible he made a wooden crate for it & that's why it so heavy?

That could do it. A wooden pallet can weigh upwards of 50 lbs, and that's just a pallet.

[MarshalWill]

After reviewing the pros and cons, plus reading other threads, When the time comes, I'll most likely go with the Cowboy Outlaw. Thank you all for your great input.