I'm so confused. Please help!

[MNBagMaker]

I'm really hoping you experts can offer your insight.  The last industrial sewing machine store in MN closed about 1 1/2 years ago and we have nowhere to physically go for these questions.  Ibuying something online without knowing about I"m talking about just seems not-smart.

I am a bag maker.  However, I do fabric bags not leather. I have dabbled in lightweight suede as accents on my bags, but don't anticipate graduating to the heavier, stiffer leather.  I very much love the many different patterns and colors that quilting cotton and duck canvas offers.  If I go heavier, it will be no thicker than 10oz waxed canvas.

With all that said, I do need a heavy duty machine, as my regular sewing machine (Baby Lock) will not sew through the many layers of fabric, stabilizer and foam interfacing that i use to construct my bags.  I want a cylinder arm machine.  The reason for this is because it will make those final finishing stitches much easier, but I can also use it like a flatbed during the construction process. 

A friend is a leather worker.  He makes everything from saddles to bags using some really thick leather and waxed canvas.  I was fortunate enough to to use his Juki LU-1508NH. I LOVED IT.  It sewed through my bag seams like a hot knife through butter.

What I"m looking for is the same outcome but in a walking foot cylinder machine.  It doesn't need to sew really thick, stiff leather.  I need it so sew through about 1/2" foam and fabric.

However, there is SO MANY different types of cylinder machines, and so many other thread weights and fabric weights that I"m not familiar with (since i work with quilting cotton and duck canvas).  Bottom line....I'm lost.  Can anyone help me translate the Juki LU-1508NH into an appropriate cylinder machine?  I would like to be able to use size 14, 16, 18 non-leather needles.

Any insight would be very much appreciated.

 

[DieselTech]

Look into the cobra class 26 cylinder arm. Very versatile machine. Heavy, light material both. 

[kgg]

9 hours ago, MNBagMaker said:

I was fortunate enough to to use his Juki LU-1508NH. I LOVED IT. 

The Juki LU-1508NH is rated for V69 to V207 with a max knee lift of 16mm (5/8") for the presser foot .

The cost of a Juki LU-1508NH  is about $2600 USD ($3800 CAD)

9 hours ago, MNBagMaker said:

I would like to be able to use size 14, 16, 18 non-leather needles.

Your size of thread for those size of needles is for thread size range of V46 and V69. With those thinner size needles in thick material you run the risk of the needle buckle and breakage particularly on curves / turns.

Here is a good cross reference chart for needle size vs thread size. ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html )

9 hours ago, MNBagMaker said:

I need it so sew through about 1/2" foam and fabric.

A lot will depend on how much the foam and fabric will compress down.

9 hours ago, MNBagMaker said:

Can anyone help me translate the Juki LU-1508NH into an appropriate cylinder machine?

I think a close comparison on the low end would be a Juki in the LS -1340 series of machine, a Juki LS -1341 or LS-1342 as they would cover off your needle size and maybe your thickness requirement. The cost of a Juki LS-1341 will be Plus $5000 USD whereas you can get a clone for $2000 USD and up depending on the clone you select. Basically it comes down to if you want a true Juki, how thick your pocket book is and the after sales service. Keep in mind a lot of the 1341 clones are clones of the older Juki LS-"341 " not the LS-1341 or are some hybrid version. Either way I would strongly suggest going to a dealer and testing various machines with the thread size you normally use in the max thickness of fabric / foam combination before purchasing a machine. Once you bought it, it is yours for better or worst.

Buy Once Cry Once,

kgg