Modern Saddler's machine

[badger]

I'm in the market for a heavy duty sewing machine in the UK.

It would be a cylinder arm machine, with a reverse function and adjustable stitch length. It should be really heavy duty, like a Pro 2000 or a Highlead GA2688

I need something capable of sewing thick and thin leather without complex adjustment and with a high footlift, capable of sewing 18 or 19mm leather at a push.

It needs to be very, very reliable and a neat and tidy stitcher.

You know, the moon on a stick

Anybody have any suggestions? I don't have a whole lot of money and would probably need a used and/or reconditioned machine.

Many thanks,

Badger

[Beener]

Do you have access to Claes?

I loved mine and I think it would do everything that you needed it to do, including drain your wallet.

Ben

[SteveBrambley]

What, given up on the 'Pilot' already Karl? I guess the needles didn't help then?

Steve

Edited June 3, 2009 by SteveBrambley

[badger]

I don't, Ben.

Steve,

Never give up on the Pilot, I love it. Turns out I had a 26 in it already

Your handy needle chart is pinned to my workroom wall now, though. Thank you.

I really do want something with a reverse though, it'll make my workflow much smoother and totally cuts out the entire process of finishing stitching runs by hand.

I also want something with a higher footlift.

Badger

[SteveBrambley]

The only other machines available in the UK, that I know of, other than the Highlead GA2688-1, are the Typical TW3-441 (which is the machine I use, and is virtually identical to the Highlead) the Adler/Durkopp 205-370 and the SEIKO CH-8B. You may be able to find one of these machines used or recond, but you will certainly have to hunt about quite a bit. The Highlead and the Typical are both relatively cheap to buy new and therefore should be cheaper used, however, the Adler and the Seiko are quite expensive to buy new, and so tend to fetch higher prices used. The latest Adler/Durkopp are now made in China, and I believe David Flint is an agent for them.

All three machines are shown in the photos below.

Steve

[CampbellRandall]

.... The latest Adler/Durkopp are now made in China, ....

Well... slight correction. Adler is owned by a Chinese company and many of there basic line (ECO series etc.) are now Chinese made. The Adler 205-370, other heavy sewing machines and advanced sewing machines are still made in the Czech republic.

SEIKO makes a good product (CH8B) and they are still Japanese made. The Seiko should sell for less than the Adler. We've sold both over the years.

[torrbuidhe]

I've come across this website, they seem to be selling a 441 clone and used machines as well - http://www.hartleysewingmachines.co.uk/products.php?id=8

I've also seen an Adler 205 clone branded as Jason here - http://www.sewquick.co.uk/ This place also has a used Singer 45B on their website, which is not a machine you hear much about, looks like a Seiko though.

There's a used Jason here, but you might be paying extra for the synchro binder http://www.cthompsonsewingmachines.co.uk/stock/

Neil

[SteveBrambley]

Well... slight correction. Adler is owned by a Chinese company and many of there basic line (ECO series etc.) are now Chinese made. The Adler 205-370, other heavy sewing machines and advanced sewing machines are still made in the Czech republic.

SEIKO makes a good product (CH8B) and they are still Japanese made. The Seiko should sell for less than the Adler. We've sold both over the years.

Thanks for that, I have obviously been mis-informed.

Steve

[badger]

Neil,

Thanks very much indeed.

Badger

[Luke Hatley]

Badger i would go for the Adler 205-370 at Hartley sewing machine.

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