Leather Stitcher

[swh3]

Going to begin using a machine to sew my gun holsters. I would like some comments and opinions on the better machines before I invest in a purchase. All opinions are welcome.

Thanks

[TwinOaks]

Hi there,

You've posted your thread in the "for sale" section of this site. You will probably get more responses if you'll re-post it in either "sewing leather", or the "sewing machines" sub-forums.

[barra]

Moved from for sale.

Barra

[Wizcrafts]

Going to begin using a machine to sew my gun holsters. I would like some comments and opinions on the better machines before I invest in a purchase. All opinions are welcome. Thanks

If your holsters are only two layers of flat 8-9 oz vegtan leather, any geared down industrial walking foot machine that can handle thread size #207 - with a number 180/24 needle, or #277 - with a 200/25 needle will work. If they are going to be sewn after you shape them to a gun you will need a cylinder arm machine that allows you to sew right up to the nose of the machine (to the bobbin case cover). The Cowboy 2500, Techsew GA5-1 and Singer 45 Class machines all have 1/2" maximum lift of the pressor foot and can sew just a tish over 3/8". Expect to pay up to $1200 for one of these machines.

If the holsters have a 1/4" side filler the equation gets more complicated. For that you'll need a geared down machine capable of sewing 1/2" of hard leather. You'll most likely want to use #346 nylon thread, run through a silicon lube pot. The needle needed to sew these threads is either a #230 or #250. This brings you into the realm of the large cylinder arm harness stitchers, like: Adler 205-370, Cowboy 3500/4500, Cobra Class 3 or 4, Artisan Toro 3000/3200, Techsew 180-2 and Juki 441 types. These very heavy duty machines sell for prices ranging from about $1800, up the $4000. The average selling price is about $2200 to $2500, fully equipped, with needles and accessories.

When you begin sewing with heavier threads you need to be prepared to pay around $18 a pound, up, for nylon thread. I use Linhanyl and Weaver bonded nylon thread, in sizes ranging from 69 through 277.

Here is a picture of a recent acquisition of mine, an Adler 204 Class, that will sew up to 3/4" of anything you can get under the feet...

Edited January 1, 2010 by Wizcrafts