help choosing first leather sewing machine

[Cumberland Highpower]

35 minutes ago, kgg said:

The typical price for a Juki LS-341 clone from China including table, brushless servo motor and delivered to the US off Alibaba is about $1400 to $1500 USD. Whereas a comparable clone machine would cost about $2600 -$2700 USD. The downside is probably the lack of support / etc. The upside is the $1200 USD in savings.

kgg

   

Cutting the middle man out does seem to pay off sometimes.   He's in Paraguay, so it looks like he's importing it to Miami, then forwarding it to Paraguay for an additional $540.  That would but a head in a box to his door @ $1124.    Then adding a table/motor.  Probably some savings, but wonder if it's worth the gamble for someone who's just starting out or having limited funds they've saved up?

I just assumed Paraguay had some hefty import taxes.   Sounds like maybe it's not so bad?

Edited July 6 by Cumberland Highpower

[toxo]

45 minutes ago, kgg said:

The typical price for a Juki LS-341 clone from China including table, brushless servo motor and delivered to the US off Alibaba is about $1400 to $1500 USD. Whereas a comparable clone machine would cost about $2600 -$2700 USD. The downside is probably the lack of support / etc. The upside is the $1200 USD in savings.

kgg

   

Not to mention that it could be exactly the same machine.

There will always be the issue of after sales service or maybe the lack out it. When I bought my machine I tried to eliminate any problems that might arise by asking many questions and asking for videos to be doubly sure and making sure to order a flatbed and extra bobbins.

One thing that pleased me was the option of self oiling. Always felt guilty in the past that I might not have oiled enough.

[TakashiOkada]

42 minutes ago, Cumberland Highpower said:

Cutting the middle man out does seem to pay off sometimes.   He's in Paraguay, so it looks like he's importing it to Miami, then forwarding it to Paraguay for an additional $540.  That would but a head in a box to his door @ $1124.    Then adding a table/motor.  Probably some savings, but wonder if it's worth the gamble for someone who's just starting out or having limited funds they've saved up?

I just assumed Paraguay had some hefty import taxes.   Sounds like maybe it's not so bad?

That's true.

Another option would be to get my local dealer to import a typical tw3-341 for me. They quoted me a price of 1.916$ for that machine, I can also just buy a typical tw3-335 for around 1.600$ which they already have in store, those prices include table and servo motor

Typical doesn't seem to make the model 246 so I won't be able to get it through my dealer. They only sell typical, singer, juki and Jin. 

Edited July 6 by TakashiOkada

[kgg]

1 hour ago, TakashiOkada said:

They quoted me a price of 1.916$ for that machine

Maybe they will drop their price if you say "I can import one myself for $XXX." There is quite a bit of difference dollar wise (1916-1124= $794) but as @Cumberland Highpower has noted for the first time / novice buyer having no support could be a bad gamble. 

 

1 hour ago, TakashiOkada said:

I can also just buy a typical tw3-335 for around 1.600$ which they already have in store, those prices include table and servo motor

I think you will be very disappointed with the ability / performance of the 335. I would steer clear.

To bad Jin doesn't do cylinder arms. Jin is the Juki line of "budget" machines.  

kgg

[Cumberland Highpower]

The 335 in your top photo looks like it's a clone based on a new type casting Pfaff.(I guess is obvious) I've no experience with "Typical" machines or many clones in general, but the Pfaff 335 is a pretty decent machine for some/most of the work you're looking to do.  Most of the Pfaff 335 machines were set up for binding work,  but not all.   I'm guessing the Typical probably follows the same trend?    Dont buy one set up for binding.

I've owned Pfaff 335's and I could run 138 top and bottom, same with my Seiko LSC-8 machines.   The narrow cylinder arm comes in handy sometimes, but being lazy would prefer the top loading bobbin. Some (many) of the top loaders use larger bobbins anyway and you'll probably like that.   Might be a consideration and something ELSE to dwell on.  I've done allot of really fine (beautiful) work on my Seiko LSC's...Some work that you might struggle to do on others, but I don't particularly love how the bobbin loads.  In fact, I'll use other machines at times just so I can avoid having to reload bobbins.

I'd still opt for the "Typical" 318 version (if it were me).  But lots of good choices mentioned here. 

Edited July 6 by Cumberland Highpower

[TakashiOkada]

@Cumberland Highpower yup that 335 is set up for binding. 

yeah you guys are right, I shouldn't gamble with my hard earned money, I'll go the safe route and buy the 341 locally. I'll post some pictures over here when It arrives in -several months- !

thank you!