Finally Need A Machine, But Which One?

[MCL]

I have been reading wizcrafts entries and they are very helpful... if not overwhelming. I am confused. So, here goes:

I am relatively new to leatherwork. It was a hobby I started and has turned into a decent income. I create music accessories such as guitar straps and drum stick bags. Everything I do is by hand, but I have been approached by retailers/etc to purchase more items (for this I am grateful). But it would mean going to a machine for these retailers. So what machine?

I sew 2 layers of 3/4 oz veg tanned on straight stitches and around inlays and overlays. I use 4 oz waxed thread but would settle on a smaller thread if needed. My budget total is $850.

I think I need a walking foot, zig zag, big bobbin- M style, 1/2-3/4 hp. There are a multitude out there on the market and marketing restrict honesty.

Any advise would be helpful.

[Ferg]

I have been reading wizcrafts entries and they are very helpful... if not overwhelming. I am confused. So, here goes:

I am relatively new to leatherwork. It was a hobby I started and has turned into a decent income. I create music accessories such as guitar straps and drum stick bags. Everything I do is by hand, but I have been approached by retailers/etc to purchase more items (for this I am grateful). But it would mean going to a machine for these retailers. So what machine?

I sew 2 layers of 3/4 oz veg tanned on straight stitches and around inlays and overlays. I use 4 oz waxed thread but would settle on a smaller thread if needed. My budget total is $850.

I think I need a walking foot, zig zag, big bobbin- M style, 1/2-3/4 hp. There are a multitude out there on the market and marketing restrict honesty.

Any advise would be helpful.

The "Wiz" has information you should listen to. You are going to be hardpressed with your budget but can probably get a used machine if you are carefull. Bob Kovar and several others have used machines and can help you select one for your purposes. There is no one machine that will do everything. I bought a walking foot machine because of recommendations of Wiz. Read his and other posts very carefully, ask questions.

ferg

[Techsew Ron]

I have been reading wizcrafts entries and they are very helpful... if not overwhelming. I am confused. So, here goes:

I am relatively new to leatherwork. It was a hobby I started and has turned into a decent income. I create music accessories such as guitar straps and drum stick bags. Everything I do is by hand, but I have been approached by retailers/etc to purchase more items (for this I am grateful). But it would mean going to a machine for these retailers. So what machine?

I sew 2 layers of 3/4 oz veg tanned on straight stitches and around inlays and overlays. I use 4 oz waxed thread but would settle on a smaller thread if needed. My budget total is $850.

I think I need a walking foot, zig zag, big bobbin- M style, 1/2-3/4 hp. There are a multitude out there on the market and marketing restrict honesty.

Any advise would be helpful.

You will find it difficult to find a zigzag, walking foot machine for your budget of $850. New zigzag walking foot machines are usually available on special order and can go for around $3000 for the complete set. If you can do without the zigzag, you can easily find a walking foot machine from any of the dealers on this site.

Good luck!

Ron

[Wizcrafts]

Forget about getting a walking foot zig-zag machine in your budget range. Not that one couldn't fall out of the sky and into your shop, but it's unlikely.

That said, you can buy zig-zag flat foot, bottom feeders for under $900. The problem is that they are not designed to sew leather and may have a lot of trouble feeding it.

Used straight stitching walking foot machines are plentiful and available within your price range. New ones are not. Be prepared to spend at least $1300 to $1500 for a half decent new walking foot machine, with a table and servo motor. A really good one, like a Juki, will cost over $2100 new, up to $3000.

As for the big bobbin machines, they are available from various manufacturers, like Adler, Juki, Consew, Seiko, Chandler, Cowboy, Cobra, Techsew, Artisan and various clones. The big bobbin machines hold 50% more thread than standard bobbins. The Juki large bobbins are even bigger; holding double a standard load. If you are really lucky you may find somebody selling an old Juki LU-563 in the $850 range.

Some of the aforementioned machines retailed for well over $2000, up to $4000 for Adlers. Someone who bought one of these top of the line machines new will not be likely to let it go for less than half of what they paid, unless it has problems.

Note, that the quality of the stitching depends on the condition of the machine and the type of needle and thread you use.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Wizcrafts

[MCL]

So what is the best machine for me? To do what I need to do. Honestly Im so new at this I dont know. Its all going over my head. I know what quality is in a product and want to continue producing one. Is there a machine that will get me by for a year or two before I can get a better one, and also learn on? Sewing straight lines on 2 pc of 3/4 oz combined to 7/8 oz veg tanned, and making curves/sharp corners on the inlays. Inlays are suede or 2/3 oz leather. Quality thread size?

[Wizcrafts]

So what is the best machine for me? To do what I need to do. Honestly Im so new at this I dont know. Its all going over my head. I know what quality is in a product and want to continue producing one. Is there a machine that will get me by for a year or two before I can get a better one, and also learn on? Sewing straight lines on 2 pc of 3/4 oz combined to 7/8 oz veg tanned, and making curves/sharp corners on the inlays. Inlays are suede or 2/3 oz leather. Quality thread size?

2 x 4 ounces = 8 ounces, sewn to 8 ounces = 16 ounces, + 3 ounces overlays = 19 ounces = ~5/16"

This is at the upper end of the ability of the old Singer 111w155 machines, which can sew 20 ounces maximum. I think your best bet is to look for a walking foot machine with a 3/8" capacity. Consew 206RB-(1 - 5), Cowboy, Econosew, Tacsew, Juki, Chandler, Adler and Pfaff all have models that sew up to 3/8" with a triple feed system. We have at least three forum members who sell both new and used industrial sewing machines.

1. Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines 866 362-7397: Bob Kovar
2. Keystone Sewing: Greg ?
3. Raphael Sewing: Ronnie ?

I have been to Toledo and seen the hundreds of machines in stock there. If you can't find an affordable walking foot machine there, I give up. Bob Kovar also sells and installs the SewPro 500GR 3:1 gear reduction servo motors that allow total speed control, from one stitch every few seconds, up to about 6 or 7 stitches per second. If you get a decent used walking foot machine, mounted onto a table with that motor, your be set for a long time.

These machines sew with #138 bonded nylon thread. It is possible to use #207 on top, if you use #138 in the bobbin.

[MCL]

Thats what I'm talkin bout! Just tell me what to get first, let me play, let me destroy, let me conquer. Then I will know from experience. You rock Wizcrafts!

[Wizcrafts]

Thats what I'm talkin bout! Just tell me what to get first, let me play, let me destroy, let me conquer. Then I will know from experience. You rock Wizcrafts!

Call Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines: 866 362-7397. Ask him for the best used walking foot machine, with a SewPro 500GR servo motor installed, for what you can afford. Tell him how thick you intend to sew, what type of leather it is and the size of thread you want to use. He will set the machine up as you describe it.

I would ask for it to be setup for #138 Linhanyl thread. Get a couple packs of #22 leather point needles. Als, get some #18 leather point needles, in case you need to sew with the lighter #69 nylon thread. Get two spools of each color thread you intend to use most often. Use one spool for the sewing thread and the other to reload the bobbins. Get about 10 extra bobbins and a quart of sewing machine oil and a small, refillable oil bottle.

Bob Kovar is an established sewing machine dealer and can certainly find a good machine to match your needs and budget. You may need to pay more to get all of the accessories I described, but you'll need them any way you cut it.