Help deciding on a machine

[MattiJoy2]

I need a machine that can sew leather for purses, holsters and bags of all kinds but will also be capable of sewing car upholstery in vinyl and leather for my hot rod boyfriend.  I would prefer 1 machine that can be versitile.  I was considering a Juki cylinder arm because my boyfriend is a welder and a fabricator and can make a table to convert it to a flatbed machine.  Will that be sufficient or do I need a 2 machines.  A flatbed and a cylinder arm.  I want to do as little freehand sewing as possible.  Also is Pfaff better than Juki?

[DieselTech]

If you got the funds, buy a juki cylinder arm. Then buy or build a flatbed table top for it. 

[Wizcrafts]

41 minutes ago, MattiJoy2 said:

I need a machine that can sew leather for purses, holsters and bags of all kinds but will also be capable of sewing car upholstery in vinyl and leather for my hot rod boyfriend.  I would prefer 1 machine that can be versitile.  I was considering a Juki cylinder arm because my boyfriend is a welder and a fabricator and can make a table to convert it to a flatbed machine.  Will that be sufficient or do I need a 2 machines.  A flatbed and a cylinder arm.  I want to do as little freehand sewing as possible.  Also is Pfaff better than Juki?

@MattiJoy2;

You will need two machines if your friend intends to sew serious holsters. The reason is that a proper holster should be sewn with a minimum thread sizer of #277. The machines capable of handling this size thread are too heavy duty for upholstery. I know because I own multiple sewing machines and can attest to the fact that big holster ready machines will eat thin leather and vinyl unless they are "dumbed down." Unless you can only afford one machine, consider getting a heavy duty machine for holsters and sheathes and another medium duty machine for thinner work and vinyl. I use a Cowboy CB4500 for heavy thread and thick projects and various walking foot machines for lighter jobs. Some are flat bed, one is a cylinder arm, two are patchers and one is a post bed machine. Each does something better than other configurations.

[dikman]

You could get one machine to sew most of what you want - except holsters! As Wiz said you will need a heavy-duty harness stitcher for that. 

[MattiJoy2]

thank you all for your advice I really appreciate it.  I guess I will get a cylinder arm and learn to sew by hand for holsters.