Singer 153K103

[Nanamagic]

Hello, I have an opportunity to purchase this machine. I am wondering if it’s worth buying or if I should just save up for a cowboy outlaw or tippmann boss. I also also wondered the thickness of leather, it can sew and the maximum thread thickness. I mainly make purses and totes however, I also have holsters and sheaths.  I appreciate your assistance and advice. Thank you.

[Wizcrafts]

6 hours ago, Nanamagic said:

Hello, I have an opportunity to purchase this machine. I am wondering if it’s worth buying or if I should just save up for a cowboy outlaw or tippmann boss. I also also wondered the thickness of leather, it can sew and the maximum thread thickness. I mainly make purses and totes however, I also have holsters and sheaths.  I appreciate your assistance and advice. Thank you.

I used to have a Singer 153. It is a medium duty walking foot, cylinder arm machine. It struggled to sew over 1/4 inch of veg-tan leather with #138 thread and a #23 needle. It's not suitable for holsters as they should be sewn with at least #207, if not 277 thread. It is better at sewing compressible leather. It can sew up to 5/6 inch of soft to medium temper chrome tan bag or jacket, or chap leather.

Aside from the thickness and thread size limitations, the 153 is a good machine as long as you don't exceed those limitations. It can sew chaps, jackets, aprons, totes, tool pouches, patches, hems, purses and wallets.

If you are considering buying this machine, make sure that it's mounted on a powered table and that the motor works. This is a very old machine and may be driven by a heavy clutch motor. You'll have to learn to feather the clutch, or else, swap it out for a servo motor. This will involve additional costs.

[Nanamagic]

Thank you!!

[Nanamagic]

Thank you!!

Wiz, if money wasn’t an issue (although it always seems to be an issue for me😂), and I am one single disabled 61 year-old individual who is selling things at and local art gallery, and Emporium, and maybe three fairs during the summer or special farmer market event type things, would you suggest doing the outlaw, the cobra 26, or cowboy 3200 or cobra four? I am getting lost and all of this as I look. Are there cheaper models that are as good as these in terms of holding up? With my disease process I’ve lost a lot of strength and although my arms work great now that is my biggest concern with looking at the outlaw or the boss, which are both a little closer price range  any suggestions would be really appreciated! By the way I used to live in Michigan. I am in North Carolina now and I wondered if you have ever taken your products up to the Wheatland festival?  I went there for 25/26  years straight but can no longer do it by myself, even with friends helping when I get there. It’s a great festival.