Sewing machine advice for a hobby/new leather worker

[Tommy217xxx]

Hey everyone, my name is tj and I’m kinda new to the forums. I’ve lurked for a while and really haven’t t posted much. I’ve made a few holsters for myself, a belt and a wallet. All hand stitched and honestly poorly done.

I’m getting board and need something to keep my hands and mind busy so I want to start working with leather again. Mainly small projects like wallets, purses and bags. probably just things for my family.

I want to get a sewing machine and I’ve done a bit of research but honestly it’s all a bit overwhelming. I understand that every machine has its purpose and they don’t really make a “jack of all trades “ type machine. From what I gather, I either want a cobra or a cowboy but I’m not sure which machine to get. 
 

sorry if this has been posted a million times and thanks in advance for any advice.

 

tj

[friquant]

1 hour ago, Tommy217xxx said:

Mainly small projects like wallets, purses and bags

I would look at cylinder arm machines. The cylinder arm gives the versatility to sew 3-dimensional shapes, including the gussets on purses and bags. We're talking machines like the Juki 246, Juki (1)341, the Pfaff 335, or one of several clones of any of these machines.

In terms of needle systems, I would target a machine that uses the most common needle system, which is 135x16.

 

[Tommy217xxx]

There is a cowboy cb3200 about an hour from me. The seller wants $2100 for it and he says it’s only been used for 30 minutes. I’m sure this machine is more then I need but do u think it would work for the projects that I want to do?

[friquant]

1 hour ago, Tommy217xxx said:

There is a cowboy cb3200 about an hour from me

I would love to have a cowboy cb3200, but it's too big to work gracefully on thinner projects like wallets. From the specs page it says the needle system is 7x3 or 794. These are very long needles, and you cannot buy thin needles in this system that have a leather point. Furthermore, when you run a thin needle with that length, they are prone to bending.

Note
@Wizcrafts does suggest the cb3200 in his blog on dumbing down a 441.

But in general, for stitching thin to medium materials (1/8" to 1/2" total) I recommend getting a machine that takes the most common needle size, 135x16. Only in part because the needles are easy to come by in different sizes and tip shapes, but largely because the 135x16 is short enough that it does not bend easily like the system 190 or especially the system 7x3 / 7x4 / 794.

Here is a photo to show the two needle systems. On top is a system 7x3, size 180Nm. On bottom is a system 135x17, size 135Nm.

 

By the way:

• 135x16 is the leather-point version of the 135x17
• 7x4 aka 794 is the leather-point version of the 7x3

[dikman]

The 3200 is an excellent machine and would be ideal for holsters and gunbelts but wallets could be a problem. An upholstery-class machine, which generally has 3/8" under the feet, is  a good all-round machine - as long as you don't want to sew holsters and gunbelts.

Have you read the sticky by Wiz about leather sewing machines? It's at the top of this section.

[AlZilla]

Well, you could buy the 3200 and run it all the time in Wiz's dumbed down mode. Or Amazon will deliver you a 206rb-5 with table and servo for $1750:

https://www.amazon.com/Consew-206RB-5-Walking-Needle-Industrial/dp/B005KKPVKE/

Although, I just looked and CowboyBob will sell you a brand new 3200 for about the same money as the used one you mentioned.

[kgg]

6 hours ago, Tommy217xxx said:

There is a cowboy cb3200 about an hour from me. The seller wants $2100 for it and he says it’s only been used for 30 minutes. I’m sure this machine is more then I need but do u think it would work for the projects that I want to do?

My take:

i) The CB3200 is a class 441 machine. The needle will put a huge hole in your item. The needle diameter as that of 2 1/2 " finishing nail.

ii) The price is not a great deal as you can get a brand new one for a couple hundred more.

iii) Thirdly, it is made for heavier items like holsters.

On 10/4/2025 at 7:03 PM, Tommy217xxx said:

Mainly small projects like wallets, purses and bags. probably just things for my family.

On 10/4/2025 at 7:03 PM, Tommy217xxx said:

I understand that every machine has its purpose and they don’t really make a “jack of all trades “ type machine.

For your projects that you listed the one machine that would be close to a "jacket of all trades" would be a Class 341 / 1341 machine like a Juki LS-1341 or clone like a Cowboy CB341 or a Cobra Class 26 with a table top attachment.

kgg