dieseldame Report post Posted January 31, 2011 we just bought an old union special industrial sewing machine we are wanting to start making tack headstalls pulling collars stuff like that and eventully work into working cowboy type chaps and chinks will this machine work it is its a two thread one needle lock stitch machine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted January 31, 2011 It might do chaps ok,but it will never sew headstalls esp.with the size of thread that you need to use. What is the model# ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dieseldame Report post Posted January 31, 2011 It might do chaps ok,but it will never sew headstalls esp.with the size of thread that you need to use. What is the model# ? it is an 80600 f machine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted January 31, 2011 (edited) That's not a lockstitch machine it makes a chainstitch & is used for sewing potato,feed & dog food bages.The chainstitch will be exposed on the bottom & will rub against the person or horse & wear through & break & make sores on the horse. Union Special has mod# 63000 & 64000 that are light duty machines that MIGHT sew chaps in a pinch(if you can get them cheap) but I'm afraid this machine(80600) won't work for you. Edited January 31, 2011 by sewmun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dieseldame Report post Posted February 1, 2011 That's not a lockstitch machine it makes a chainstitch & is used for sewing potato,feed & dog food bages.The chainstitch will be exposed on the bottom & will rub against the person or horse & wear through & break & make sores on the horse. Union Special has mod# 63000 & 64000 that are light duty machines that MIGHT sew chaps in a pinch(if you can get them cheap) but I'm afraid this machine(80600) won't work for you. is there any way to change the kind of stitch that it does Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted February 1, 2011 is there any way to change the kind of stitch that it does No. That model was built without a bobbin mechanism. It uses a looper instead, to form the chainstitch. That is all it will ever be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dieseldame Report post Posted February 1, 2011 No. That model was built without a bobbin mechanism. It uses a looper instead, to form the chainstitch. That is all it will ever be. so what would you recomend for a economical machine to start out with for making tack and chaps Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted February 1, 2011 Save up some money and buy a machine from one of the dealers that has and ad at the top of the page. With any of them, you can tell them what you want to do with it, and the machine will pretty much come to you ready to assemble and sew. This is not the same as buying a machine head off of Ebay, and then having to get everything 'just so'. The machines from our dealers are modified (motor and reducers) to specifically sew leather. When you order one, they will be 'sewn off' before leaving the dealer. That means that the basic tension settings will be made (according to the thread type and intended thicknesses you'll be sewing), and all adjustments made so that when you unpack it, bolt it together, and plug it in, you'll be good to go. You will of course have to check the tensions for sewing the particular pieces you use, but that's true with any sewing machine. You WON'T have to try and modify the machine, buy a new motor, add another balance wheel, grind off some metal to increase the presser foot height, etc. Don't just look at the websites, CALL and speak to the dealers in person and explain what you'll be doing. This gives them the info they need to best serve you. Unless you are an experienced tinkerer with lots of tools and time, -or- an experienced sewing machine mechanic, you'll do a LOT better for yourself by getting the right machine at the start. Not trying to be mean about it, just trying to convey the answer to a question that is often asked. Here is a link to a thread in our sewing machine sub-forum: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=25239. This should help you decide on the type of machine to get. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dieseldame Report post Posted February 1, 2011 Save up some money and buy a machine from one of the dealers that has and ad at the top of the page. With any of them, you can tell them what you want to do with it, and the machine will pretty much come to you ready to assemble and sew. This is not the same as buying a machine head off of Ebay, and then having to get everything 'just so'. The machines from our dealers are modified (motor and reducers) to specifically sew leather. When you order one, they will be 'sewn off' before leaving the dealer. That means that the basic tension settings will be made (according to the thread type and intended thicknesses you'll be sewing), and all adjustments made so that when you unpack it, bolt it together, and plug it in, you'll be good to go. You will of course have to check the tensions for sewing the particular pieces you use, but that's true with any sewing machine. You WON'T have to try and modify the machine, buy a new motor, add another balance wheel, grind off some metal to increase the presser foot height, etc. Don't just look at the websites, CALL and speak to the dealers in person and explain what you'll be doing. This gives them the info they need to best serve you. Unless you are an experienced tinkerer with lots of tools and time, -or- an experienced sewing machine mechanic, you'll do a LOT better for yourself by getting the right machine at the start. Not trying to be mean about it, just trying to convey the answer to a question that is often asked. Here is a link to a thread in our sewing machine sub-forum: http://leatherworker...showtopic=25239. This should help you decide on the type of machine to get. thanks allot i have cowboyed the last ten years me and my wife are just starting to get into this im glad i have found this website i have learned allot all ready just from reading it just seems all the good machines are three or four thousand and we dont have that kinda money to spend to see if we will be good at making quality tack and if we will enjoy it as much as i think we will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
