ericluther Report post Posted June 11, 2009 I found this on my local Craigslist, will it sew leather and if so how thick?? Im trying to pick something up I can afford Thank you Eric Singer model # is AJ852882 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericluther Report post Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) I found this on my local Craigslist, will it sew leather and if so how thick?? Im trying to pick something up I can affordThank you Eric Singer model # is AJ852882 ok there are a bunch on there will any of these sew leather? wallets, gun holsters, etc heres a link http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/search/sss...&maxAsk=max Thank you!! Edited June 11, 2009 by ericluther Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted June 11, 2009 ERIC, I LOOKED AT THE LIST AND THE ONLY ONES THAT I WOULD CONSIDER IS THE SINGER 31-15....... PRICE IS WAY TOO HIGH. FIND ONE FOR AROUND $300-400 THE CONSEW 206 WOULD WORK...BUT.... NONE OF THE MACHINES THAT I SAW WILL SEW THICK LEATHER. ONLY LIGHT WEIGHT TO MEDIUM LEATHER. GO TO A SEWING MACHINE DEALER ,TAKE LEATHER SAMPLES WITH YOU THEN SEW THEM THEN BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT MACHINE, IF IT IS FORSALE AT A LOWER PRICE. SOMETIMES IT IS WORTH A LITTLE MORE $$$$$$ TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT WILL BE ABLE TO HELP WITH PROBLEMS AT A LATER TIME...........I M H O.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericluther Report post Posted June 11, 2009 Thank you for the info bud!! What's the diff oz wise between medium and heavy leather???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted June 11, 2009 Thank you for the info bud!! What's the diff oz wise between medium and heavy leather???? medium weight is 4-6 oz. heavy would be 8oz and up....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tkleather1 Report post Posted June 11, 2009 I have a singer 3115 and it will sew through three layers of 8 oz without too much trouble if you go slow and pay attention. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neelsaddlery Report post Posted June 11, 2009 Hello all: A Consew 206 is a good machine. It should sew at least two layers of 8 ounce with up to a size 138 thread. The main difference between a heavy machine and medium weight machine deals not only with the thickness it will sew, but the size of thread it can use. The Consew 206 can sew an easy 1/4" thick, but if you try to sew that same thickness with anything larger than a 138 thread with the Consew it is not going to happen!!!!! Heavy stitchers cannot only sew heavier, but they can also use heavier threads. A size 138 thread is a starting size for a heavy weight machine. Heavy weight machines like our Cowboy Model 7441 will sew with 138, 207, 277, 345, 415, and even 554. These heavier threads are like rope, and they are often seen used on horse tack, saddles, heavy dog collars, and the like. The lighter weight threads like 138 are used for chaps, chinks, upholstery and things of this nature. Hope this is of some help to you. Kindest Regards, Ryan O. Neel Neel's Saddlery and Harness Cowboy Sewing Machines Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nuncanunca Report post Posted June 17, 2009 I have a singer 31-15 that I will sell for $150 if you can find a way to get it to Ft. Myers from Orlando. It has a table, good motor & clutch and about $60 worth of new accessories I bought in the past few months before I decided I wanted a cylinder arm machine instead. I just got a singer 17 class and the wife says one of them has to go. It will sew up to 3/8" of leather no problem. If you search on the singer 31-15 in this forum you will find lots of info about the machine. PM me if you are interested. Good luck. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericluther Report post Posted June 17, 2009 Dave, let me talk to the wife, I will be up there in July, but could come up earlier maybe. I will PM you Thanks!! Eric Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinhopkins Report post Posted June 17, 2009 Hello Eric, Luke and Ryan have some good advice... that 31-15 is a good machine as far as it goes, and they can be had reasonably, but you want to make sure that you're comfortable with a clutch motor that probably sews fast. And while it will sew about 3/8, it's not going to do it with a sz 25 or 26 needle, and it won't sew with 277 thread. If you did do a holster, it would at best probably sew with 138, and that just seems to look a little funny. It will more than likely do a good job on belts, and flat goods tho. My advice is if you have the money, (or can get it) buy a new one that will do what you want it to do. And by the way, there isn't a machine that will "do it all".... if there was, there would only be one. Most serious leather workers have at least 2 machines, one for the light to medium, and one for the heavy, like Luke said. Happy Sewing! Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nuncanunca Report post Posted June 17, 2009 Kevin is right about the clutch motor. The one I have has a slower motor as clutch motors go - 1725 rpm I think - but it still sews much too quickly for me on many projects. Belts and bags are ok at full speed - in a straight line - but for corners or detailed inlays I have been turning it by hand. Some of that is due to my lack of skill. Some members have put a servo motor on these with good results. I was looking into a servo motor or speed reducing pulley for it before I got my new machine. The needle size goes up to 25, but I haven't tried to sew with thread to fit a needle that big. I wouldn't try to sew anything as thick as a holster or saddle with it, but it has been fine for wallets and small bags. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
