Singer 44-9

[busted]

Hey Wizcraft, are you in here? I saw a Singer 44-9 for sale on ebay today. What can you tell me about it? I was hoping it would do at least 1/2" leather. Thanks for your time and effort.

[CowboyBob]

It can be tweaked a little & get close to 3/8" footlift but it'll never sew that thick & the largest thread is #138.

The is a shortarm version of a 31-15 w/a viabrating foot,

Bob

Edited December 3, 2011 by sewmun

[busted]

It can be tweaked a little & get close to 3/8" footlift but it'll never sew that thick & the largest thread is #138.

The is a shortarm version of a 31-15 w/a viabrating foot,

Bob

Hey thanks a lot Bob. I keep looking but every thing will not do what I want. Oh well such is life.

[Wizcrafts]

Hey Wizcraft, are you in here? I saw a Singer 44-9 for sale on ebay today. What can you tell me about it? I was hoping it would do at least 1/2" leather. Thanks for your time and effort.

To sew at least 1/2 inch you should restrict your searching to either an Adler 205-374, or a Juki 441, or a clone of either machine. The Adler sews up to 3/4 inch, as does the Juki TSC 441. Both can use a #27 needle and sew with up to #415 thread. These machines, that sew over 1/2 inch, use a system 794 or 7x3 needle.

Adler 205's and Juki 441's usually sell used for at least $2500 (new, they go for about $6,000). However, you can buy a brand new Cowboy, or Cobra, or Techsew 441 clone for about $2500, plus or minus. These new 441 clones sew to 7/8 inch, with #415 bonded nylon or polyester thread. New leather stitchers are sold, warrantied and serviced by our member-dealers. You can get on the phone assistance after your purchase. Try that with a used machine bought on eBay. NOT.

Every sewing machine seller on eBay adds the word "Leather" to the description. They take close-up photos of the machine sewing a piece or two of leather and make it look like it is very thick and is using extra heavy thread. A close-up lens distorts reality. Those machines are actually sewing about between 3/6 and 1/4 inch total, with #69 bonded nylon thread. It takes an incredible amount of presser foot pressure to hold down 1/2 inch of veg-tan or bridle leather, when you are sewing with a #26 or 27 needle and #346 or 415 thread. Most old or upholstery grade machines cannot exert the required amount of pressure to hold the leather down as the needle ascends. This causes skipped stitches and broken needles and thread.

[busted]

To sew at least 1/2 inch you should restrict your searching to either an Adler 205-374, or a Juki 441, or a clone of either machine. The Adler sews up to 3/4 inch, as does the Juki TSC 441. Both can use a #27 needle and sew with up to #415 thread. These machines, that sew over 1/2 inch, use a system 794 or 7x3 needle.

Adler 205's and Juki 441's usually sell used for at least $2500 (new, they go for about $6,000). However, you can buy a brand new Cowboy, or Cobra, or Techsew 441 clone for about $2500, plus or minus. These new 441 clones sew to 7/8 inch, with #415 bonded nylon or polyester thread. New leather stitchers are sold, warrantied and serviced by our member-dealers. You can get on the phone assistance after your purchase. Try that with a used machine bought on eBay. NOT.

Every sewing machine seller on eBay adds the word "Leather" to the description. They take close-up photos of the machine sewing a piece or two of leather and make it look like it is very thick and is using extra heavy thread. A close-up lens distorts reality. Those machines are actually sewing about between 3/6 and 1/4 inch total, with #69 bonded nylon thread. It takes an incredible amount of presser foot pressure to hold down 1/2 inch of veg-tan or bridle leather, when you are sewing with a #26 or 27 needle and #346 or 415 thread. Most old or upholstery grade machines cannot exert the required amount of pressure to hold the leather down as the needle ascends. This causes skipped stitches and broken needles and thread.

I thank you for your time and knowledge. I am like everyone else trying to find a great deal without having to spend a fortune. I guess it ain't going to work. Thanks again.

[Wizcrafts]

I thank you for your time and knowledge. I am like everyone else trying to find a great deal without having to spend a fortune. I guess it ain't going to work. Thanks again.

Contact our dealers to see if any have used or traded in 441 models. If not, look in our sewing machinery for sale, in the Marketplace section of LWN. Members who buy longer arm machines frequently sell off shorter arm models at very reasonable prices.

[Kcinnick]

The Juki clones go through leather like butter, Wiz helped me with my machine selection and helped with some sewing tips. I ended up with a Cowboy 4500 and it just runs through leather effortlessly. I would hate to try to learn to sew leather with a machine not really up to the task.