Automated leather sewing machine

[AlZilla]

Looks like about 60 seconds to fully sew a leather belt. 

 

 

[DieselTech]

You buying one? Lmao I heard they are cheap!!!

Yeah I been following some of these machines on hightex channel. 

When your machine needs a air assisted needle cooler you are moving some material. Smoking Thread!

[Constabulary]

wondering if there is a hand cranked version of it 

[Cumberland Highpower]

2 hours ago, Constabulary said:

wondering if there is a hand cranked version of it 

I think this one has a hand crank built in :D

 

 

 

Edited Thursday at 01:45 AM by Cumberland Highpower

[SUP]

Wow!

[nstarleather]

These things are cool...I used one to sew velcro to patches...it's very "one use" but if you have the volume it can totally be worth it.  Not nearly as expensive as you'd think, especially used.

 

[AlZilla]

37 minutes ago, nstarleather said:

These things are cool...I used one to sew velcro to patches...it's very "one use" but if you have the volume it can totally be worth it.  Not nearly as expensive as you'd think, especially used.

 

I can get nice veg tan 9oz belt blanks for about $7. If I had a market for quantities of belts, I'd think about it.

[chuck123wapati]

I wonder just how many belts you would need to sell to pay for the thing. And just think you can make the same automated-looking stuff they sell in those high end Walmarts for half the price you can make it. if that is the market niche you are looking for it's certainly the ticket. Just my opinion but that's not leather work that's computer work . Just my two cents so don't beat me up first thing this year lol.

[AlZilla]

@chuck123wapati it's definitely not a handcrafted product. But it's still a product and one with a much bigger market than $300 handcrafted leather belts. 

There's no shame in selling to both markets. 

Imagine how many you could turn out in a day with pre-made, dyed belt blanks. 5 minutes punching the ends, after 1 minute of sewing. 

Now, to sell that many ...

[Constabulary]

I guess it is ALEXA compatible too.

Alexa: sew me gun belt...  no... guitar strap...  no... ahm... sew both and make me a coffee... no...  chai latte 

Answer: Yes, I will sew a strap on your Chai Latte and make a coffee colored gun belt for your guitar.

Edited Thursday at 04:35 PM by Constabulary

[fredk]

[kgg]

22 hours ago, AlZilla said:

Looks like about 60 seconds to fully sew a leather belt.

Very cool machine, definitely made for volume and consistency not as automated as some belt machines.

The way I figure it there are two basic levels of handcrafted just depends on the market you are going for:

i) Belt blank cut and dyed by hand, sewn by hand, belt ends cut by hand, holes punched by hand and embossed by hand. Should command the highest price for a quality belt as each one of the same style will be slightly unique and the labor / skill involved with making it.

ii) Belt blank pre-dyed, cut with a strap cutter, sewn by machine, ends and holes punched with a machine and embossed by machine. Provides consistency and improves efficiency which reduces the cost per belt.The drawback is the cost of equipment.

kgg

 

[nstarleather]

3 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

I wonder just how many belts you would need to sell to pay for the thing. And just think you can make the same automated-looking stuff they sell in those high end Walmarts for half the price you can make it. if that is the market niche you are looking for it's certainly the ticket. Just my opinion but that's not leather work that's computer work . Just my two cents so don't beat me up first thing this year lol.

I agree we tens of thousands of patches but it's definitely not artisanal...I suspect you could do it in a way to come out with a high quality belt but people tend to cut corners.   Brand new model with the screen and all like $10k-$15K...used with a less advanced interface $3K-$6K used.

 

[Ferg]

I am forever fascinated by what computer driven machines can accomplish and I am fascinated by what hand crafters can accomplish that after seventy years of doing leather off and on I am "ordinary".