Leather Rifle Rests

[particle]

Okay - this is my first post here, so please - be gentle!!

Recently I have gotten back into shooting (rifles). I have a few different styles of rifles, and quickly got frustrated with the standard range bags typically provided at the local shooting ranges - so I designed my own. It's still a work in progress, but I've shown my prototypes around to various people and have gotten very positive feedback. These are made of 3-4 oz suede, and stitched on my wife's Riccar sewing machine. It's not really fond of sewing 2 layers of suede (even with leather needles), and then when I toss the nylon webbing in, .... well, it went on strike.

I sent it to the repair shop, but it sews leather even worse than it did before (it's flawless with standard fabrics). It also frays the thread, skips stitches, and flat out has a poor attitude about life in general!!!!

Anyway, I'm looking to purchase a new machine - probably the Sailrite LS-1 or the Consew CP206R. I would really prefer a needle feed to help climb over the webbing, but I can't afford one right now. There is a Consew 225 selling locally for $300 that was serviced in January 2008, but my wife doesn't want a big machine and table like that (and frankly, it's too fast and we just don't have room for one that big).

Here is my rifle rest. Please don't pay too close attention to the stitch quality - these are just prototypes on an improper machine. They will ultimately be double stitched, but I haven't gotten any good stitches lately, and can't photograph anything.

Now, here are my questions...

Is there perhaps a better leather that would be easier to sew? Or will the walking foot solve my inconsistent stitch length issues that I'm currently having with my wife's Riccar - particularly when I hit the nylon webbing and the foot has to climb up and over that ledge - it almost comes to a complete stop and I have to push it through.

Where can I get good prices on leather? I'm currently buying from my local Tandy, but paying about $3.60/sf. I plan on getting a tax I.D. number but haven't gotten around to it yet. I bought some odd-lots for $2.60/sf, but obviously I can't get the same color and tannery consistency with odd-lots.

One person reviewing my rests commented that the suede really grips the rifle, and that was a huge bonus for him. He also stated that dirt and grass and stuff brushes right off and cleans up very easily before he tosses it in his range bag. I worry that if I switch to another kind of leather I'll lose the grippy quality, and the individual pouches will slide off of each other too easily.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on my rests. I probably should have joined this forum before I even started these flippin' things!!

If you want to see the site I've devoted to them, check out www.fliprest.com

Thanks, and I look forward to your feedback and suggestions.

Eric

Aubrey, TX

[TwinOaks]

First off, Welcome!!! We're glad you joined. Very nice work on those. As you've seen, and had to pay to fix, home machines aren't the best for leather. Check out the 'sewing leather' sub-forum, and I'm sure you'll be able to find advice on which types of machine to invest in. And don't worry about having odd lot coloring- the sales pitch for that is "distinctive".

[particle]

the sales pitch for that is "distinctive".

LOL! I hadn't thought of that! I figured once I get a good machine, I'll go ahead and order a few hides and sew up a few to have on hand, and to get some more practice in. Then, I'll post the good ones for sale on my website, and hand out the others to people to review, and keep or pass around to get more feedback of features and such.

I have checked out the Machine portion of the site - lots of good info.

One thing I've really noticed is that it's next to impossible to find good promotional materials, or even specifications and features lists on 95% of the machines out there. Ebay is the best bet, but you can't trust the information all of the time. The Sailrite machines at least have a good website, user forum, usage videos, and apparently good customer support. When I find a machine I like, I try to show pictures of them to my wife, but it doesn't take long to notice everyone uses the same low quality photos - even in Craigslist and Ebay listings!

[Luke Hatley]

particle get the consew 225.... accept the larger table, you will get accustom to the speed over a period of time.

or you can change the belt pulley on the motor to slow it down a little.

the 225 with leather needle and 138 size thread will do you well. that is a good price for the machine.

i have one and i will not part with it....

[Ian]

I'd second Luke's opinion on the Consew , especially if it's one of the old Japanese made machines- I have an old 206 RB and a 105 - they're great. I also have a Sailrite knock-off, but with the same motor, and it's just not strong enough for almost anything I do, and the stitch length doesn't stay consistent when you sew thicker material.

I think Sailrites are overpriced - I'd go for a table machine if I were you, and don't worry about the speed, you will learn how to sew slowly with a bit of practice, and you can later buy a Servo motor for around 300 bucks, to reduce the speed, and you'll still be cheaper than the Sailrite

Weaver's price for 3/4oz suede is 1.78 a foot and $1.67 for 2/3oz once you get your tax number

Ian

[particle]

Well, I snoozed and lost that Consew. There is a Glaco Astra for sale locally, though she is asking $500. All I can find is that they're similar to the Consew 225. Can anyone tell me anything about the Glaco Astra? It comes with the table and a "big" motor. I asked her to send me pictures, but would appreciate any information ya'll can provide.

The Consew was about 2 hours from me, and with the cost of gas and the headache of driving my 4x4 V8 suv to get the machine, I guess it's not too big of a loss. This Glaco is literally 10 minutes from my house.

Should I jump on this, or pass on it?

[Ian]

Should I jump on this, or pass on it?

I've never heard of it, but would take some pieces of your suede and go over and check it out. If you have some 138 thread, take that and see how it sews

[Luke Hatley]

YES SEW FIRST............SEVERAL OF THE RESTS..............

find out the needle size..... then make sure that larger needle sizes can be got for that

machine.

Edited April 12, 2008 by Luke Hatley

[particle]

Here is the only information I can find on it. Also, there is a Juki for sale about 2 hours away for $500 (the same price as the Glaco that's only 10 minutes away), and it looks identical so I guess it's a Juki 562. Should I drive the two hours and just buy the Juki? It was used in a small business that manufactured a few leather products and then discontinued that operation and the machines weren't needed anymore.

http://www.sanger-sewingmachinevideos.com/available.html

DVD 66: Industrial Upholstery Walking Foot Machine

This DVD will show you how to disassemble, clean, oil, reset, and retime upholstery walking foot sewing machines. This Glaco works the same way as Consew 225 and 226, Singer 111W, and Jukie 562.

DVD #66 is $59.50

Edited April 12, 2008 by particle

[RoughRider]

Particle,

Sent you a PM

RoughRider