Stitching machines???

[columbo]

I am new here and have gained alot of info from you guys. My 1st question on this forum is about stitching machines.I am looking to break into a machine and need some advise on what to look for. I'm not doing this professionally yet, but have gotten some interest. Wife says I can't break the bank. What are some ideas? thanks for all the threads ya'll contribute to.

[rdb]

There are many experts on this board, well-versed in sewing equipment. I am sure they will chime in with advice, as long as they know what you are wanting to do with your equipment. As an example question, Do you intend on making chaps, pocketbooks, wallets, or harness and tack type gear? Our advice is only as important as the information you give.

[Cobra Steve]

Welcome Columbo! My name is Steve. Please call me at 1-866-962-9880 and I will do my very best to help you out. Thanks.

[Johanna]

Hey Steve! If he calls you right away, we don't learn anything! Post here on the forum so that we can all benefit. I've been thinking about how great it would be to have a class 3 machine. Tell me what I'll be able to do with it- tell me if a class 4 is better and why. Everybody knows that you know these machines backwards and forwards. Tell us what to expect, then we'll know what to ask you when we call.

Johanna

[neelsaddlery]

Columbo:

Please tell us a little bit more about what you plan to use the machine for, and in this manner we can determine what the best machine for the job will be.

If you plan to sew chaps, chinks, belt, billfolds, wallets, upholstery, and the like, then I would recommend one type of machine for you.

If you plan to sew saddles, harness, knife sheaths, and holsters, then I would recommend a different machine.

I would be happy to help you in any way I can. Please call me toll free at 1-866-507-8926 and I will tell you what I know about machines that may be suitable for you.

Kindest Regards,

Ryan O. Neel

Neel's Saddlery and Harness

Cowboy Sewing Machines

[TwinOaks]

First, to Leatherworker.net!!

Now, I'll echo others' comments about what you intend to do.

I've been looking for a machine too, so I've run down a lot of the questions and answers. Some general things to consider:

Will you be stitching things with grain out on both sides, and why does it matter? Some machines move material by means of "feed dogs" (which are little toothy grippers that come up from under the needle plate) , some by Unison feed (needle feed + feed dogs), and some by needle feed only. Needle feed is exactly what it sounds like. The needle penetrates the leather and pulls it along then the presser foot/feet on top hold the material in place while the needle withdraws, repositions, and does it again. If you're going to be sewing something like holsters where you may have grain showing on both sides of the item, feed dogs may leave marks you don't want. Needle feed is the way to go there, but IMO, needle feed isn't strong enough (by itself)to do reeeeally thick leather like saddles...but I may be wrong there.

Next your intended items should determine whether you need a flat bed or a cylinder bed machine. Flat bed is pretty self explanatory, cylinder bed means that the bottom part of the mechanism is a cylinder. This matters a lot if you're going to be sewing blankets (flat bed, please) or bags/holsters/etc. The cylinder bed allows you to work in tighter spaces, but doesn't support the material like a flat bed does. Some cylinder bed machines have a flat bed attachment so you can convert.

What you will be sewing determines how much presser foot clearance you need. If it's only chaps or holsters, something with a 5/16ths[8mm] lift may be enough. If you're gonna sew an honest 1 inch of leather, you need a machine with at least 1 inch clearance. If you're only looking for something to sew wallet interiors, well that's another story and you may not even need a walking foot machine. Something to keep in mind while you're shopping (see related posts on this forum): Old singer sewing machines may indeed stitch some leather in the pics on ebay, but they aren't designed to do a lot of it. They also won't accept the larger sized threads.

Now, about the green....depending on the model/type machine you should expect about $1000 as a base price and then go up from there. You may luck out and find a deal, but that's about the bottom floor of it. A common price bracket is $2000-$3000 for a heavy harness stitcher that's set up for leather. Set up for leather??? What's that mean? Simple. The heavy leather sewing machines we use are often modified (for our purposes) versions of industrial stitchers. The big machines are used in factories on production lines, and they can go pretty dang fast. A set up for leather almost always includes a speed reducer, and now it's pretty common to see them with DC servo motors. That let's you have lots of torque at slow speed. Depending on the model (again) you can set them to run along at a blistering 0-150 stitch per minute. Once you get the hang of it, you can increase speed. Some of the ones I've researched don't have the speed reducer and the listed "spm" is 2-3 THOUSAND spm. That sound's like this: "Clack, clackety.....BBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" and you've sewn your hand to the saddle. Yes it can happen (probably has happened) and if the machine will shove a needle through 3/4 of an inch of dead cow skin, what makes you think it'd balk at our puny skin? Spend the money on a machine with a speed reducer up front....it's cheaper than a doctor, and blood is difficult to remove from leather.

Who to call? That's up to you. Steve's reputation preceeds him by a long way, and I've personally spoken with Ryan (Neel's Saddlery) and both are extremely nice to work with. Of course, they will promote their own machines if they can, but I'd trust either of them to honestly answer your sewing machine questions.

Hope this helps a little bit.

humble note: Our resident experts may correct me on my sewing terms and descriptions, and should that happen.....listen to them. I'm just a live version of Wiki.

Edited April 16, 2009 by TwinOaks

[neelsaddlery]

I actually sewed myself to a Tippmann Boss one time. Ran the needle right through my left thumbnail. It was not fun!!!!!

Yes, speed reducers are a must for sewing heavy leather. Not only do they slow the machine down, but they also add a lot of punching power.

Kindest Regards,

Ryan O. Neel

Neel's Saddlery and Harness

Cowboy Sewing Machines

[Bree]

Wow... you have both Ryan and Steve advising you. They are both experts and dedicated to service to this community. You can't go wrong with either one of these guys or their equipment.

My only advice is to buy based on your needs not your budget. Delay purchase if necessary but don't skimp on leather sewing machines. If you buy too small or a machine with less power than you need to save a little money, you will be a very unhappy camper. With leather, power is not just good... it is essential!!

These guys can help you decide what you really need.

[Vikti]

There is a vendor that I talk to every year at the North Texas Irish Festival and his booth is Rev's Armour Werx and his sewing machine is a hand crank that looks kinda like an old Singer but he got his new just a few years ago. I do know that they go for about $750 but after watching how his works I think it's well worth the money. I bet if you shoot off an email to him off his site he'll give you the info you need on how to order one, and maybe send you some pictures of it.

Damon

[kevinhopkins]

Hi Columbo,

Just remember, there isn't one machine that will do it all. If there was, there would only be one machine. Look for one that will do most of what you really need to do. If you keep going forward, you'll more than likely end up with 2 machines anyway.

Kevin/Springfield leather

[ryano]

There is a vendor that I talk to every year at the North Texas Irish Festival and his booth is Rev's Armour Werx and his sewing machine is a hand crank that looks kinda like an old Singer but he got his new just a few years ago. I do know that they go for about $750 but after watching how his works I think it's well worth the money. I bet if you shoot off an email to him off his site he'll give you the info you need on how to order one, and maybe send you some pictures of it.

Damon

They sell for around $350.00

Edited April 17, 2009 by ryano

[McJeep]

For some reason the original link wouldn't work for me but this one did

http://www.revsarmourwerx.com/

[hidepounder]

Wow... you have both Ryan and Steve advising you. They are both experts and dedicated to service to this community. You can't go wrong with either one of these guys or their equipment.

My only advice is to buy based on your needs not your budget. Delay purchase if necessary but don't skimp on leather sewing machines. If you buy too small or a machine with less power than you need to save a little money, you will be a very unhappy camper. With leather, power is not just good... it is essential!!

These guys can help you decide what you really need.

Now THAT'S good advice!