Singer 281-3 for sewing holsters?

[dailywarren]

Hello all (I love these forums!),

I've been watching craigslist for a leather sewing machine and now there's a singer 281-3 for sale for about $350. Good condition with table and lamp. What do you guys think of the price and my intention to do leather holster work with it?

Thanks,

Spencer

[Art]

You probably won't be real happy with that one. This is a high speed (4000-5000 spm) production machine for heavy fabric, 3/8" or less. This is not a leather machine. I think it uses Singer 1955 needles (could also use maybe DPx5 or 135x7), leather points might be hard to find in those systems.

Art

Hello all (I love these forums!),

I've been watching craigslist for a leather sewing machine and now there's a singer 281-3 for sale for about $350. Good condition with table and lamp. What do you guys think of the price and my intention to do leather holster work with it?

Thanks,

Spencer

[CowboyBob]

I'll have to agree w?Art,It's a high speed machine that can be slowed down for more$$ & then I doubt if it would handle making holsters.We do have some customers using them for chaps & we do stock the 135x8 needles w/a leather point.The 281's will use #46,69 & 92 nylon thread.

Bob

[dailywarren]

Thanks, fellas....I owe you a cookie! More than that, actually, as I thought this machine would really do the trick.

But I've read my leatherworker.net forums and it sounds like Techsew is still the way to go!

Thanks again,

Spencer

[Art]

I don't know the techsew so well, I've only seen them sewing on youtube. When sewing leather, you need to sew slow, sometimes a stitch or so a second with total control. You also need parts that don't mark the leather, in other words smooth.

You really need to talk to Bob and Steve on the phone to get a good feel for what you need. Both of their numbers are here on LW. They are easy to talk to and will steer you in the right direction.

Art

Thanks, fellas....I owe you a cookie! More than that, actually, as I thought this machine would really do the trick.

But I've read my leatherworker.net forums and it sounds like Techsew is still the way to go!

Thanks again,

Spencer

[Techsew Ron]

Thanks, fellas....I owe you a cookie! More than that, actually, as I thought this machine would really do the trick.

But I've read my leatherworker.net forums and it sounds like Techsew is still the way to go!

Thanks again,

Spencer

Hi Spencer,

Thanks for the mention. We have very reasonably priced machines that are perfect for sewing holsters, featuring speed reducers and smooth feet that won't mark your leather.

Give us a call and we'd be more than happy to direct you to the right machine.

Ron

1-866-415-8223

[dailywarren]

Hi Spencer,

Thanks for the mention. We have very reasonably priced machines that are perfect for sewing holsters, featuring speed reducers and smooth feet that won't mark your leather.

Give us a call and we'd be more than happy to direct you to the right machine.

Ron

1-866-415-8223

And now...having finally received the settlement from the insurance company that the lawyers have been arbitrarily making interest off of for the last 6 months...I can call Ron and get a quote on a rootin'-tootin', holster-making, dad-burned, leather-sewing machine! Thanks, Leatherworker.net and all involved. Your help was greatly appreciated!

Spencer