Which Machine To Buy?

[Cobra Steve]

To further refine my previous statements about qualified sewing machines, consider these points:

1. A less capable machine may be stretched beyond its normal operating parameters, allowing it to use heavier thread and sew thicker material than it was designed for. Eventually, this will lead to premature wearing out of the main moving parts. It will also call for more frequent bobbin reloads.
2. A more capable machine can easily be dumbed down to sew lighter weight material, with thinner thread and smaller needles than are normally used. They are not ruined by sewing into thick, dense leather with very heavy thread. The big stitchers have very large capacity bobbins, requiring much fewer reloads.
3. All of the Juki 411 and Adler 205 clones have flat table attachments that screw onto their work tables. While this small table top is not the same as the 20 inch deep standard industrial table top, it does offer about 8 inches of depth and over a foot in length (l-r), adding much stability to work that needs to be spun around while laying flat. In contrast, a flat bed machine can never become a cylinder arm machine!

I work for a one man shop, as a part time helper and sewing machine operator. I myself am a one man shop, as a leather worker and computer troubleshooter. I trust one man operations for their devotion to their customers and willingness to speak with us. It is comforting to speak with the same person when you have problems with a machine, or need spare, or non-standard parts, quickly. If the owner of a one man shop gives me a special price, nobody upstream is going to over-ride him. Great customer service will always lead to referrals and return business. Putting down competitors tends to have the opposite effect, in my experience and in my plans for future purchases.

As for the remark about "the snake" not being a good guy, read what the Chinese Zodiac says about those born as "snakes:"

Thank you, Wiz. I appreciate your insight. Steve

[Johanna]

Thank you, Wiz. I appreciate your insight. Steve

Guys, I love all of you, and I am closing this topic for everyone's benefit. I wish people would stop posting "which machine is best?" topics and post "I want to do this and that, what will work best for me?" You guys all know your stuff, and we're grateful you share your insight and knowledge. Let's keep our discussions relevant and useful, and not make a circus out of leatherworker.net. People come here because they want to know something, not because they want to trigger landmines.

Johanna