Machine Choice?

[LLW]

PLEASE NO DEALERS ANSWER

For some time now I been using a consew 206. The main shaft broke. Long story on that. The inside is scrap metal now. I have been looking for a new machine. I want to get a flatbed. Here is the problem I am running into. EVERYONE says their machine is the best. Cobra, Tacsew, Reliable, Artisan. says their the best. Sailrite says their the best of the best.

Here is how the table is set up. I got the 600watt servo 1 3/4" pulley running a 8" pulley jack shaft. I want just the head. Due to my marks and mods on my table. If I have to use the router to change the set I will. Yesterday I called Artisan for some other model and makes that equal theirs. The lady said there was none that theirs was the best. I been through the same thing with all of them. I want to get max 1/2" thickness sewed.

S.E.W. line 111w tacsew 111w Sailrite 111w all the same specs. Headspace timing is the same. This is an example of what I am running into. They all seem the same. Even the casing is same mold. What about Juki, Consew, and all the others out there. It seems that name plate is the only difference. I am by far, NOT bashing any companies. I just need real streight talk on the machines. The one I looked real hard on was the Artisan 618-1 sc lthr Though after looking hard. They all seem the same now. UGGGGG!

Please help

Jeremy

[Wizcrafts]

PLEASE NO DEALERS ANSWER

For some time now I been using a consew 206.

SNIP

I have been looking for a new machine. I want to get a flatbed.

SNIP

Here is how the table is set up. I got the 600watt servo 1 3/4" pulley running a 8" pulley jack shaft. I want just the head. Due to my marks and mods on my table. If I have to use the router to change the set I will. Yesterday I called Artisan for some other model and makes that equal theirs. The lady said there was none that theirs was the best. I been through the same thing with all of them.

I want to get max 1/2" thickness sewed.

Please help

Jeremy

Jeremy;

The thickness you want to sew is the limiting factor in your machine options. Further, your preference for a flatbed machine complicates the availability of suitable machines. Nonetheless, here are some viable options for you to consider.

Adler 204 series flatbed machines can sew 3/4" with a #200 needle and #277 thread. There is or was one for sale privately, by AW Harness, in the East Coast. The ad is/was in the Used Sewing Machines For Sale section of the forum.

Cowboy and Cobra stitchers have a flatbed model that sews 1/2 inch plus.

Old Singer Class 7 machines sew to 7/8". The Singer 132K6 sews 1/2".

There are other brands of sewing machine that sew 1/2 inch. They are usually targeted at the buffing wheel and car wash cloth industries.

A standard industrial sewing machine cannot sew over 3/8" unless you dink with the pressor feet and needle bar and even the needle system. The machines setup for 1/2" and over use a much longer needle system, have beefed up moving parts, huge bobbins and extra heavy tension springs, thread guides, shafts, gears and bearings.

The very people you have excluded from answering you are in the best position to assist you in finding a suitable machine for your purposes.

[LLW]

Wiz

Your my new hero for 2011.

Thank You so much. The reason I excluded the dealers, is due to we are the best syndrome, they all seem to have.

[Randy Cornelius]

Most of the brands you state are all well suited for what you want to do, but service after the sale is the #1 thing to consider. If you want the very best in service before, during and after the sale, call Steve at Cobra / the Leather Machine Company. Search here and you will find time and time again how he has helped anyone with any brand of machine. He is a stand up guy and is tops with me and a lot of people on this forum.