Bighearn Report post Posted February 23, 2008 What are the alternatives for someone that does not have $2000 for a nice machine? Lets say you wantend something for small holsters knife seaths chaps etc is there a good afordable machine for the part time leather worker not making a living at it just doing for side bucks and friends etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Report post Posted February 23, 2008 There's several suggestions in this thread http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...=sewing+machine There's been some other discussion about different machines in a few other threads in the Leather Sewing Machine section. Many times you can get those suggestions, then search the internet to see if they are in your price range. Russ What are the alternatives for someone that does not have $2000 for a nice machine? Lets say you wantend something for small holsters knife seaths chaps etc is there a good afordable machine for the part time leather worker not making a living at it just doing for side bucks and friends etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted February 23, 2008 What are the alternatives for someone that does not have $2000 for a nice machine? Lets say you wantend something for small holsters knife seaths chaps etc is there a good afordable machine for the part time leather worker not making a living at it just doing for side bucks and friends etc. I'm no expert, but a small home machine won't sew heavy leathers like are used in many gun holsters. I have an industrial walking foot machine, and it labours to get through 2 layers of 8-9oz. veg tan leather. It might sew something flat, like a sheath, but even it will not sew shut, the end of a holster. Just my experience. There's a couple of "portable" industrial walking foot machines out there for under $1000 but I don't know about their quality. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bighearn Report post Posted February 23, 2008 Thanks guys Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted February 23, 2008 I have a stitcher for sale, it's capible of 5/8 leather skirting, things like holsters and knife cases would be fine. I wouldn't expect it sew saddle skirts, because it's not a walking foot machine. It's got feed dogs ONLY for moving the work. So it can't bite the sheep skin to move it. But for other things like I mentioned, it's works great. The price is reasonable too, I'm asking 1000.$ It's an open arm machine and it's listed in the used machines for sale section with pictures. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunfighter48 Report post Posted February 23, 2008 (edited) I went through this same process about eight months ago; your're going to wind up spending about $1000 for a new or used machine that will sew 1/2 to 5/8 in of leather. I bought a Neel's Saddlery Model 5 cylinder bed machine. They run $899 plus shipping from Ohio and that's about the best price I could find for a new machine. It will sew 1/2" of leather with no problem. But it's not a walking foot machine, it uses feed dogs to move the leather. Feed dogs will leave an impression on the back side of the leather you are sewing. This may or may not be a problem for you, it wasn't a problem for me. I make 1/4" thick belts, magazine carriers, holsters, and gun cases. But the bottom line is it's going to set you back $1000 to get a machine that will do the job. I've been watching Ebay and Craigslist for industrial machines but to get one that will sew 1/2 to 5/8 in of leather is very close to a grand and there is no guarantee of the condition of the machine. Bob in the listing above this one had a good looking machine for $1000. John Edited February 23, 2008 by gunfighter48 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
