Need Expert Advice on Choosing the Right Post Bed Machine for Heavy-Duty Bootmaking – Techsew 830 vs. Other Options?

[sarayoung]

Hey everyone! First off, I just want to say how much I appreciate all the helpful input from this community. After your advice last week, I've decided to go with a post bed machine for my bootmaking projects. Most of my work involves stitching 16oz leather for work boots, but occasionally I'll be working with thicker combinations up to 18oz when using bison leather.

I've been researching the Techsew 830 because it's advertised to handle 3/8" thickness, which seems better than most post beds that max out at 5/16". However, I'm not entirely clear if that 3/8" rating is for stacked denim or if it can truly handle multiple layers of thick veg-tan leather at that thickness. Has anyone here actually tested this machine with dense leather stacks? I'd hate to invest $2K+ only to find it struggles with welted seams or through heavy stacked areas.

I'm also curious about alternatives - have any of you had success with other heavy-duty post beds like the Cobra Class 4 or used industrial Jukis? I'm trying to balance capability with budget, and would love to hear real-world experiences.

Just now, sarayoung said:

Hey everyone! First off, I just want to say how much I appreciate all the helpful input from this community. After your advice last week, I've decided to go with a post bed machine for my bootmaking projects. Most of my work involves stitching 16oz leather for work boots, but occasionally I'll be working with thicker combinations up to 18oz when using bison leather.

I've been researching the Techsew 830 because it's advertised to handle 3/8" thickness, which seems better than most post beds that max out at 5/16". However, I'm not entirely clear if that 3/8" rating is for stacked denim or if it can truly handle multiple layers of thick veg-tan leather at that thickness. Has anyone here actually tested this machine with dense leather stacks? I'd hate to invest $2K+ only to find it struggles with welted seams or through heavy stacked areas.

I'm also curious about alternatives - have any of you had success with other heavy-duty post beds like the Cobra Class 4 or used industrial Jukis? I'm trying to balance capability with budget, and would love to hear real-world experiences.

actually my workshop space is pretty tight, so I'm planning to pair whatever machine I get with a compact industrial table - if anyone has space-saving setup tips, I'm all ears! (And just out of curiosity - has anyone here used a post bed for upholstery projects too? I'm wondering how it would handle thick hides if I ever wanted to tackle a vintage loveseat restoration down the line.)

Really appreciate any insights you can share - this is a big investment and I want to make sure I get it right!

[kgg]

1 hour ago, sarayoung said:

Most of my work involves stitching 16oz leather for work boots, but occasionally I'll be working with thicker combinations up to 18oz when using bison leather.

First off using Weaver Leather Thickness Chart ( https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/pages/leather-thickness?srsltid=AfmBOoqzN2JPG7btuXxjAntVnhbq3NjzasVYzvuTwaMaLRu6Y0adRV4J ) 16 oz of leather is going to be 1/4" (6.36mm) and add another 2 oz you are going to be at .281" ( 7.14mm). The max the spec say is 3/8" ( 9.53mm) which is going to give you less then 3/32" (2.39mm) wiggle room. That for me would knock that particular machine out as I would think you would always be pushing it to or near it's max. which I figure would reduce life expectancy.

I would suggest looking at other alternatives maybe a Class 1341 cylinder arm machine similar to the Juki LS-1341 (or clone) but I don't do footwear.  

1 hour ago, sarayoung said:

have any of you had success with other heavy-duty post beds like the Cobra Class 4 or used industrial Jukis?

The Cobra Class 4 is NOT a post bed machine it is a cylinder arm Class 441 clone of the Juki TSC-441. These machines are meant to sew such items as holsters. They use a needle that is visually almost the same size as a 2 1/2" finishing nail. They weight in at about 125lbs for just the head alone verses a LS-1341 at 82 lbs.  

1 hour ago, sarayoung said:

Really appreciate any insights you can share - this is a big investment and I want to make sure I get it right!

I would suggest:

1. read

2. either visit / telephone / sending a sample of what you want to sew to maybe someone like Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines ( www.tolindsewmach.com ).

There is no one machine that will do everything. Buy a new machine that will do 90% of your items and get a second used machine to cover off the remaining 10 %. 

kgg

 

[sarayoung]

17 hours ago, kgg said:

First off using Weaver Leather Thickness Chart ( https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/pages/leather-thickness?srsltid=AfmBOoqzN2JPG7btuXxjAntVnhbq3NjzasVYzvuTwaMaLRu6Y0adRV4J ) 16 oz of leather is going to be 1/4" (6.36mm) and add another 2 oz you are going to be at .281" ( 7.14mm). The max the spec say is 3/8" ( 9.53mm) which is going to give you less then 3/32" (2.39mm) wiggle room. That for me would knock that particular machine out as I would think you would always be pushing it to or near it's max. which I figure would reduce life expectancy.

I would suggest looking at other alternatives maybe a Class 1341 cylinder arm machine similar to the Juki LS-1341 (or clone) but I don't do footwear.  

The Cobra Class 4 is NOT a post bed machine it is a cylinder arm Class 441 clone of the Juki TSC-441. These machines are meant to sew such items as holsters. They use a needle that is visually almost the same size as a 2 1/2" finishing nail. They weight in at about 125lbs for just the head alone verses a LS-1341 at 82 lbs.  

I would suggest:

1. read

2. either visit / telephone / sending a sample of what you want to sew to maybe someone like Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines ( www.tolindsewmach.com ).

There is no one machine that will do everything. Buy a new machine that will do 90% of your items and get a second used machine to cover off the remaining 10 %. 

kgg

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Thank you so much, kgg, your reply was exactly the kind of breakdown I needed. You’re absolutely right about constantly running a machine near its max capacity; I hadn’t really thought about how that could affect long-term performance and wear. That 3/32" wiggle room suddenly feels a lot smaller when I imagine sewing through a welted seam or adding a midsole.

I also appreciate the clarification about the Cobra Class 4. I had wrongly lumped it in with post beds, but now that you explained the weight and needle size, it definitely seems like overkill and not ideal for tight spaces like mine. The suggestion of the Juki LS1341 or its clones sounds like a solid middle ground. I’ll start digging into that direction and maybe even reach out to Toledo Industrial like you mentioned. Sending in sample material is a great idea I wouldn’t have thought of.

And I really like your advice about having two machines to cover different ranges. That might end up being the smarter long-term investment rather than trying to find a one-size-fits-all setup.

Thanks again for taking the time to lay all that out. Seriously helpful!

[kgg]

2 minutes ago, sarayoung said:

And I really like your advice about having two machines to cover different ranges.

That is why a lot of us have more then one machine as some machines are a lot better then others at certain things. There is no one size that fits all situations and sometimes you need two machines to do one item. The closest all rounder for most are the Juki LS-1341 (or clone) with a table top attachment.

Is it possible for your items to skive the edges down to reduce the thickness of the leather?????

Let us known what you decide on.

kgg