Help! Newb Question About A Pfaff 545 And It's Suitability

[Art]

As a side note, Ronnie at Techsew had a pretty pristine machine that would be right up your alley, although the price was more realistic, it's probably gone by now. I think it was a Juki but not sure. Contact all the dealers at the top of the page, they have machines in and out of their doors and could give you a call when the right one comes in.

Art

A used 206 RBWhatever is a good machine. A new 618 (Cobra Class 18) is about $1595. Foot sets are much more available for the 618 and are really not expensive. If you buy used, you have to make sure the machine is in good condition as these types are common in upholstery and trim shops, not to mention drapery, canvas, and awning shops and get used hard. If you can find a Nakagima 280L or model with similar numbers, they were good old machines.

Usually, anything you buy will be set up to run fast, you don't need to go slow with canvas and upholstery grade leather. By the time you replace the motor and add a speed reducer, you are in the $1300 range, so go the extra $300 for a new machine with a warranty and a lifeline. The inspection and setup are part of the package, as is the servo motor and speed reducer.

Art

[artificer13]

As a side note, Ronnie at Techsew had a pretty pristine machine that would be right up your alley, although the price was more realistic, it's probably gone by now. I think it was a Juki but not sure. Contact all the dealers at the top of the page, they have machines in and out of their doors and could give you a call when the right one comes in.

Art

Thanks again, I'll definitely have to make some calls.

I did see a singer 168 post-machine today that I'd REALLY have to stretch to buy, and at the price their asking I could buy a new lower-end TechSew cylinder or a CB2500. There was also saw a Consew 255, which was LOADS more affordable, but then I'm back to a flatbed.

[artificer13]

Bump up here.

Any thoughts on the Singer 168? It seems like a good balance that would allow me to sew lighter bags while still allowing me to assemble some doubled 6oz leather straps/masks/gear. Am I correct? Reading Wiz's thread about "Which sewing machine for leather" it seems that the cowboy or techsew might be a bit too heavy for the lighter gauge chrome tanned leathers of bags/purses.

[KAYAK45]

I can only suppose that the work of an Artificer, is in fact an artifact? Even when new?

[Wizcrafts]

I can only suppose that the work of an Artificer, is in fact an artifact? Even when new?

If so, it belongs in Warehouse 13!

Artificer;

If you only need to sew up to 3/16 of an inch, of soft temper leather, you can use either a roller foot or walking foot machine. Singer post machines were often equipped with a roller on top and a rolling feed dog on the bottom. There is a new Cowboy post machine that has gear driven top roller, in addition to the rotating feed dog. Machines like this provide very positive feed.

Still, if price is the driving factor, and you will be buying used, a Singer post machine is a good option for 10 to 12 ounces of soft leather. The post will allow the material to be moved in all directions after each piece is sewn (hanging over the post, inside, outside, front or back). I used to make caps and hats on old Singer roller foot post machines.

The one thing you must keep in mind is the thread size limitation of these old machines. They will not be happy sewing with anything bigger than #69 thread. None of the tensioners, not the presser foot spring are heavy enough to provide enough tension to sew with #138 thread, or hold down hard leather (with a big needle). If you limit the needle to a #18 leather point, with #69 bonded nylon thread, you should be able to sew your bags on it.

Edited September 23, 2011 by Wizcrafts

[MADMAX22]

Artificer where are you located at? I know in my general area there are several usually of like the 206rb's and such. Some in great shape some not so much. Various other flatbed machines of that style as well.

[artificer13]

Artificer where are you located at? I know in my general area there are several usually of like the 206rb's and such. Some in great shape some not so much. Various other flatbed machines of that style as well.

I'm in WI.

Alright gang, sorry to keep hashing this out, but what do you think about a

National 26-188 ?

Is this the same as the Rex 26 (which popped up on a search here)?

Again, I'm looking to (at best) stitch doubled up 6oz leather or a few layers of chrome tan.

It's a table rather than a cylinder or post, but the price is awfully good, even once I add a servo and possibly the reducing gear.

[Wizcrafts]

I'm in WI.

Alright gang, sorry to keep hashing this out, but what do you think about a

National 26-188 ?

Is this the same as the Rex 26 (which popped up on a search here)?

Again, I'm looking to (at best) stitch doubled up 6oz leather or a few layers of chrome tan.

It's a table rather than a cylinder or post, but the price is awfully good, even once I add a servo and possibly the reducing gear.

A friend of mine recently sold his Rex 26-188. It had teeth on the bottom of both presser feet and teeth on the feed dogs. The marks were very pronounced on both sides, on leather that remembers marking. If you are going to sew suede or roughout leathers, or leathers embossed with a lot of texture, the tooth marks won't be so obvious. Reducing the pressure on the feet would also help with the marking.

These machines are double feed machines. The outer presser foot is crank driven, in sync with the feed dog. Like love and marriage, ya can't have one without the other!

[artificer13]

Thanks again, Wizcrafts.

Well, I'm at the point of just buying new.

I've basically narrowed it down to two machines, the Cowboy CB2500 (which I know can mark the back of soft leathers) and the Tippmann Boss.

I don't do lined belts or things that require endless feet of stitching, so I'm not too concerned about hand powered operation.

Now I just need to make a decision and scrape together the cash.

[Wizcrafts]

Thanks again, Wizcrafts.

Well, I'm at the point of just buying new.

I've basically narrowed it down to two machines, the Cowboy CB2500 (which I know can mark the back of soft leathers) and the Tippmann Boss.

I don't do lined belts or things that require endless feet of stitching, so I'm not too concerned about hand powered operation.

Now I just need to make a decision and scrape together the cash.

How much thickness of leather do you intend to sew? What size thread will you be using the most? What are your primary sewing projects going to be?

Things to keep in mind are one of the two machines you mentioned is a production quality machine and the other is more of a prototyping machine.