List Of Useable Leather Sewing Machines

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

How about we start a thread of KNOWN useable leather machines for guys like me who are scouring the internet looking for deals and machines!

Bob at Toledo Sewing Machine sales has been kind enough to answer way too many questions about the viablility of machines I'm finding locally, but I don't like bothering a working man!

Maker: Singer

Model: 31-15

thickness 3 layers chap leather

thread capabilities 138 or below

As an example^^^^

[Wizcrafts]

How about we start a thread of KNOWN useable leather machines for guys like me who are scouring the internet looking for deals and machines!

Bob at Toledo Sewing Machine sales has been kind enough to answer way too many questions about the viablility of machines I'm finding locally, but I don't like bothering a working man!

Maker: Singer

Model: 31-15

thickness 3 layers chap leather

thread capabilities 138 or below

As an example^^^^

I'll start!

Make: Union Lockstitch Machine

One Model, since late 1890's

Max thickness: 6 layers 8 ounce veg-tan leather

Thread capabilities: Bonded nylon or polyester; sizes 138 through 554. Irish Linen thread: 3 cord through 10 cord, left twist.

Needle and awl system, using a barbed needle. Huge round bobbins that hold hundreds of feet of thread.

Max SPI: 4

Type: Modern walking foot flat bed (e.g. Consew, Chandler, or Juki), with large bobbin

Thickness: 3/8 inch, all day long

Needles: System 135x15, 135x16: sizes 12 through 25

Thread handling: #46 through #207. Best when used with #138, top and bottom.

Max SPI: 3 or 4

Make: Juki

Model: LU-1508NH

Capacity: 7/16 inch

Needle system: Pfaff type 190:

Needle size range: #12 through 25

Thread capacities: #46 through #207

Max SPI: ~3

Make: Singer

Model: 29k172

Max thickness: 1/4 inch to 5/16 inch

Needle type: 29x3, 29x4, 135x15, 135x16

Needle size range: #12 through #23

Thread capacities: #46 through #138

Max SPI: ~5

Singer

Make: Singer

Model: 96k40

Max thickness: approx 1/4 inch

Needle system: DBx1, DBx257

Needle size range: approx #10 through #20

Thread capacity: #69 and under

Max SPI: 5

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

List model numbers of the walking foot models that will do leather! or does a walking foot system automatically indicate leather? and sew thickness is very important when looking for machines! thanks!

[Wizcrafts]

Oops! I listed a type 135x15 by accident. It should have read 135x17, which has round point. 135x16 is a leather point of the same type.

[TwinOaks]

That part that says "capacity", or "thickness" means the maximum amount of whatever you want shoved under the foot. To get that # in leather thickness, just convert: 1oz of leather=1/64th.....8oz=8/64ths"=1/8th". 3/8ths=24oz.

Saying "3 layers of chap leather" is not specific enough as the leather itself may be different weights.

The modern walking foot machines typically utilize (but not always) a UNISON feed, which is ideal for leather.

Wiz , Art, Steve, Ronnie, Bob, et al., can name more machines than you're likely able to find. Instead of exact models, I'll offer this: ANY home style machine won't do, or won't do it for long. Look for machines based on commercial/industrial sized heads.

-----OR-----

Stop trying to find an Ebay special that :

1. probably needs reconditioning/rebuilding, requiring time and money.,

2. doesn't include the table, motor, or belt,

3. may be an antique or have hard to locate parts which means rebuilding is gonna be expensive,

4. is advertised as "HEAVY DUTY", "INDUSTRIAL", or "SEWS LEATHER",

....most of these machines can handle two layers of soft garment leather at best, don't have an adequate feeding mechanism, can't handle adequate sized thread, and have bobbin capacities that won't even finish an average wallet if you DO get it to sew large thread.

----instead-----

Decide on what kind of leather you're going to be sewing, and tell one of the dealers here what you want to do and that you want a machine that will do it. Ask them to recommend a machine that will do MORE than that, as it's better to NOT push your machine to it's limits every time you use it.

Given that information, they can provide you with:

1. A machine head that has the ability to sew leather -preset to your intended uses. This will probably include presetting the tensions so you only have fine adjustments to make, and TIMING the machine head.

2. A motor with enough slow speed torque to be able to sew in a controlled manner (many AC motors only develop the required torque at full rpm). DC servo motors are great, but they aren't the only option- If you haven't, I recommend reading Wizcrafts' thread about the types of sewing machines suitable for this hobby.

3. A stand or table that will securely hold the machine without additional woodworking skills,

4. Customer support if you have problems,

5. A warranty - just in case there's a hidden crack in the casting and it was somehow missed by the mechanics....or other problems.

P.S. Bob Kovar (Toledo Industrial Sewing) does have used machines for sale. Let him know what your budget is, along with your needs, and let him check his stock.

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

I will not spend good money on shipping something from across the country if can find it locally! I would think it's a good idea to have a good reference of USEABLE machines because not all machines are available at every dealer in the best price. Sometimes a guy gets lucky and finds a machine locally! Hell I found a large lot of cylinder arm machines 15 some odd years ago for cheap... I didn't know the first thing about what I had found, but Bob at Toledo did... So no I won't stop seaching locally, and I don't think it's fair to call a dealer and ask him about a machine evey time I see one at what might be a good price. They have a business to run, and being on the phone with me is unproductive for them! This is why I think this list is a GREAT idea!

You're right my reference to "3 layers of chap leather" was not very useful, especially for those who don't know what chap leather is...

That part that says "capacity", or "thickness" means the maximum amount of whatever you want shoved under the foot. To get that # in leather thickness, just convert: 1oz of leather=1/64th.....8oz=8/64ths"=1/8th". 3/8ths=24oz.

Saying "3 layers of chap leather" is not specific enough as the leather itself may be different weights.

The modern walking foot machines typically utilize (but not always) a UNISON feed, which is ideal for leather.

Wiz , Art, Steve, Ronnie, Bob, et al., can name more machines that you're likely to find. Instead of exact models, I'll offer this: ANY home style machine won't do, or won't do it for long. Look for machines based on commercial/industrial sized heads.

-----OR-----

Stop trying to find an Ebay special that :

1. probably needs reconditioning/rebuilding, requiring time and money.,

2. doesn't include the table, motor, or belt,

3. may be an antique or have hard to locate parts which means rebuilding is gonna be expensive,

4. is advertised as "HEAVY DUTY", "INDUSTRIAL", or "SEWS LEATHER",

....most of these machines can handle two layers of soft garment leather at best, don't have an adequate feeding mechanism, can't handle adequate sized thread, and have bobbin capacities that won't even finish an average wallet if you DO get it to sew large thread.

----instead-----

Decide on what kind of leather you're going to be sewing, and tell one of the dealers here what you want to do and that you want a machine that will do it. Ask them to recommend a machine that will do MORE than that, as it's better to NOT push your machine to it's limits every time you use it.

Given that information, they can provide you with:

1. A machine head that has the ability to sew leather -preset to your intended uses. This will probably include presetting the tensions so you only have fine adjustments to make, and TIMING the machine head.

2. A motor with enough slow speed torque to be able to sew in a controlled manner (many AC motors only develop the required torque at full rpm). DC servo motors are great, but they aren't the only option- If you haven't, I recommend reading Wizcrafts' thread about the types of sewing machines suitable for this hobby.

3. A stand or table that will securely hold the machine without additional woodworking skills,

4. Customer support if you have problems,

5. A warranty - just in case there's a hidden crack in the casting and it was somehow missed by the mechanics....or other problems.

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

And just because it's listed as an industrial or commercial machine doesn't mean it will do anything in leather as I learned with my one phone call to Bob.

I found a Singer 241-12 on craigslist in my price range. This list/phone call saved me a 100 mile trip!

I will not spend good money on shipping something from across the country if can find it locally! I would think it's a good idea to have a good reference of USEABLE machines because not all machines are available at every dealer in the best price. Sometimes a guy gets lucky and finds a machine locally! Hell I found a large lot of cylinder arm machines 15 some odd years ago for cheap... I didn't know the first thing about what I had found, but Bob at Toledo did... So no I won't stop seaching locally, and I don't think it's fair to call a dealer and ask him about a machine evey time I see one at what might be a good price. They have a business to run, and being on the phone with me is unproductive for them! This is why I think this list is a GREAT idea!

You're right my reference to "3 layers of chap leather" was not very useful, especially for those who don't know what chap leather is...

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

here is my next listing of a known Machine

Singer 153w-101

walking foot cylinder arm

1/2" lift

up to 346 thread in my experience. but this was years ago and I have CRS.

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

Singer 97-10 there are other models from 1-10 just varies on mounting/base motor etc.

walking foot harness machine sews 1" of leather.

thread size as large as you can get. Needles are hard to find

I wouldn't think anything less than 207 I have't used mine with other thread yet. These machines had wax pots on them years ago. I would like to find one for mine if possible!

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

A average price would be helpful too...