Cylinder Vs. Post Sewing Machines

[Brandon711]

Hi, I am kind of new to leather work but I really like it and I'm thinking to get a sewing machine. The dilemma that I face is that I would like to make shoes in the near future but for the moment I'm working on wallets. The prices for this machines are not on the low side and I would like to get the most out of my investment. I've done some research on the post and the cylinder sewing machines but there are so many opinions that I feel a bit lost, some folks recommend the post, others the cylinder, some say the walking foot, others the roller foot, and honestly I don't know where to put my money. I know that there is a lot of people in this forums that have far more experience than I do, and I would really appreciate any bit of help that could point me in the right direction. Thanks.

[amuckart]

For wallets and shoes, I'd get a roller-foot post-bed machine. You can't do shoes on a cylinder bed machine.

[Brandon711]

Thank you very much for the tip. I really appreciate it.

For wallets and shoes, I'd get a roller-foot post-bed machine. You can't do shoes on a cylinder bed machine.

[Art]

Hi Brandon,

If you are not going to be using over size 92 thread, Then the post is the way to go. There is little a post can't do in its size range, even sewing half way down a jacket arm (although there is a lot of grunting, groaning, hollering, and screaming involved with the occasional swear word). Flat beds are good for decorating, but you can get by with a little table you can make for the post, or after you have sewn for a while, just use the post. You can always buy a Singer 31-15 or 20 later or if you are keeping your eye out for it, whenever one comes available at a good price. You may have to sew side seams on boots and outsoles by hand until you luck into a big stitcher (side seams) and a curved needle machine like a Landis 12 for outsoles.

Art

Hi, I am kind of new to leather work but I really like it and I'm thinking to get a sewing machine. The dilemma that I face is that I would like to make shoes in the near future but for the moment I'm working on wallets. The prices for this machines are not on the low side and I would like to get the most out of my investment. I've done some research on the post and the cylinder sewing machines but there are so many opinions that I feel a bit lost, some folks recommend the post, others the cylinder, some say the walking foot, others the roller foot, and honestly I don't know where to put my money. I know that there is a lot of people in this forums that have far more experience than I do, and I would really appreciate any bit of help that could point me in the right direction. Thanks.

[Brandon711]

Thanks a lot Art. I will follow your advise guys. Dam, I love this place, lots of help.

Hi Brandon,

If you are not going to be using over size 92 thread, Then the post is the way to go. There is little a post can't do in its size range, even sewing half way down a jacket arm (although there is a lot of grunting, groaning, hollering, and screaming involved with the occasional swear word). Flat beds are good for decorating, but you can get by with a little table you can make for the post, or after you have sewn for a while, just use the post. You can always buy a Singer 31-15 or 20 later or if you are keeping your eye out for it, whenever one comes available at a good price. You may have to sew side seams on boots and outsoles by hand until you luck into a big stitcher (side seams) and a curved needle machine like a Landis 12 for outsoles.

Art