New Shop Set-Up, New Sewing Machine, More Space!

[Spinner]

I finally got my shop space filly unpacked and organized, an endeavor sparked by the receipt of my new sewing machine. I got the new machine in December, a Techsew 2700 from Ron at Raphael Sewing. Before that, I was doing light sewing with a Husqavarna Emerald 116 and hand stitching so it's been a great upgrade. The learning curve has been interesting but I have most of it figured out now.

The Techsew 2700 happily punches through 3/8" thickness which is more than I need so far and I've run a 207/138 thread combo through it without a problem. For the most part though I usually use 138 t/b or 92 t/b with about 10-12oz of leather between the various parts. Ron's been great with customer service as well, answering a ton of questions via phone and email. There was a small mix-up with some of the accessories with the order and he was lightning quick to get it corrected and even threw in an extra pair of nippers with the package. It's touches like that that are a nice & memorable surprise. Only issue I've had (aside from User Errors/lack of knowledge) was with the zipper foot, there was a small burr on the foot that was making marks but once I figured out that was the root of the problem and not foot pressure, a quick trip to my metal buffer/polisher fixed it right up. (It could have been fixed with sandpaper & a strop but I'm a little OCD when it comes to tools). The servo motor is a dream as well, in fact I'm getting spoiled with it and am reminded each time I go to the Emerald for small/quick stitching (I keep it loaded with 69 thread for things that don't need to be precise or for pattern testing).

Overall, I highly recommend the Techsew 2700 and Ron to anyone looking for a medium weight sewing machine. For those wanting a few specs, the 2700 uses 135x17 needles, G style bobbins, 46-207 thread capable and 3/8" sewing capacity with 5/8" presser foot lift with the foot pedal.

Pics of the 2700 and a couple of bibs I've since used it on:

As for the shop re-arrangement, I had to move some things around while retaining all of my storage, if not adding more. My wife was kind enough to get me a new 4' x 2' x 8' double door cabinet for Christmas so that helped quite a bit. Here's what I came up with. I still need to build a proper bench for the tooling station but this works for now. The nice thing is to go from the tooling bench to the sewing machine is simply a roll of the chair. The cutting table has a swing up leaf at the open end that makes the table 3 feet longer (8ft long when fully opened) for when I'm planning out full sides. The L-shape made it so the wood/metal area is now fully separated from the leather area and each has it's own dedicated cabinet which is nice (and safer for materials).

Cheers,

Chris

[DoubleC]

I finally got my shop space filly unpacked and organized, an endeavor sparked by the receipt of my new sewing machine. I got the new machine in December, a Techsew 2700 from Ron at Raphael Sewing. Before that, I was doing light sewing with a Husqavarna Emerald 116 and hand stitching so it's been a great upgrade. The learning curve has been interesting but I have most of it figured out now.

The Techsew 2700 happily punches through 3/8" thickness which is more than I need so far and I've run a 207/138 thread combo through it without a problem. For the most part though I usually use 138 t/b or 92 t/b with about 10-12oz of leather between the various parts. Ron's been great with customer service as well, answering a ton of questions via phone and email. There was a small mix-up with some of the accessories with the order and he was lightning quick to get it corrected and even threw in an extra pair of nippers with the package. It's touches like that that are a nice & memorable surprise. Only issue I've had (aside from User Errors/lack of knowledge) was with the zipper foot, there was a small burr on the foot that was making marks but once I figured out that was the root of the problem and not foot pressure, a quick trip to my metal buffer/polisher fixed it right up. (It could have been fixed with sandpaper & a strop but I'm a little OCD when it comes to tools). The servo motor is a dream as well, in fact I'm getting spoiled with it and am reminded each time I go to the Emerald for small/quick stitching (I keep it loaded with 69 thread for things that don't need to be precise or for pattern testing).

Overall, I highly recommend the Techsew 2700 and Ron to anyone looking for a medium weight sewing machine. For those wanting a few specs, the 2700 uses 135x17 needles, G style bobbins, 46-207 thread capable and 3/8" sewing capacity with 5/8" presser foot lift with the foot pedal.

Pics of the 2700 and a couple of bibs I've since used it on:

As for the shop re-arrangement, I had to move some things around while retaining all of my storage, if not adding more. My wife was kind enough to get me a new 4' x 2' x 8' double door cabinet for Christmas so that helped quite a bit. Here's what I came up with. I still need to build a proper bench for the tooling station but this works for now. The nice thing is to go from the tooling bench to the sewing machine is simply a roll of the chair. The cutting table has a swing up leaf at the open end that makes the table 3 feet longer (8ft long when fully opened) for when I'm planning out full sides. The L-shape made it so the wood/metal area is now fully separated from the leather area and each has it's own dedicated cabinet which is nice (and safer for materials).

Cheers,

Chris

Wow, what a great shop. Cheryl

[Ferg]

Chris,

I went to Bob Kovar's shop yesterday, came home with a Seiko CW-8B2. It is exactly the same machine you got from Ron with a different name plate.

Bob's son set it all up for me, brought it home, carried it upstairs, am getting ready to sew something.

ferg

I finally got my shop space filly unpacked and organized, an endeavor sparked by the receipt of my new sewing machine. I got the new machine in December, a Techsew 2700 from Ron at Raphael Sewing. Before that, I was doing light sewing with a Husqavarna Emerald 116 and hand stitching so it's been a great upgrade. The learning curve has been interesting but I have most of it figured out now.

The Techsew 2700 happily punches through 3/8" thickness which is more than I need so far and I've run a 207/138 thread combo through it without a problem. For the most part though I usually use 138 t/b or 92 t/b with about 10-12oz of leather between the various parts. Ron's been great with customer service as well, answering a ton of questions via phone and email. There was a small mix-up with some of the accessories with the order and he was lightning quick to get it corrected and even threw in an extra pair of nippers with the package. It's touches like that that are a nice & memorable surprise. Only issue I've had (aside from User Errors/lack of knowledge) was with the zipper foot, there was a small burr on the foot that was making marks but once I figured out that was the root of the problem and not foot pressure, a quick trip to my metal buffer/polisher fixed it right up. (It could have been fixed with sandpaper & a strop but I'm a little OCD when it comes to tools). The servo motor is a dream as well, in fact I'm getting spoiled with it and am reminded each time I go to the Emerald for small/quick stitching (I keep it loaded with 69 thread for things that don't need to be precise or for pattern testing).

Overall, I highly recommend the Techsew 2700 and Ron to anyone looking for a medium weight sewing machine. For those wanting a few specs, the 2700 uses 135x17 needles, G style bobbins, 46-207 thread capable and 3/8" sewing capacity with 5/8" presser foot lift with the foot pedal.

Pics of the 2700 and a couple of bibs I've since used it on:

As for the shop re-arrangement, I had to move some things around while retaining all of my storage, if not adding more. My wife was kind enough to get me a new 4' x 2' x 8' double door cabinet for Christmas so that helped quite a bit. Here's what I came up with. I still need to build a proper bench for the tooling station but this works for now. The nice thing is to go from the tooling bench to the sewing machine is simply a roll of the chair. The cutting table has a swing up leaf at the open end that makes the table 3 feet longer (8ft long when fully opened) for when I'm planning out full sides. The L-shape made it so the wood/metal area is now fully separated from the leather area and each has it's own dedicated cabinet which is nice (and safer for materials).

Cheers,

Chris

[Techsew Ron]

Looks good Chris! Thanks for the kind words. Let me know if you need help with anything at all.

Ron

[Spinner]

Wow, what a great shop. Cheryl

Thanks Cheryl! Scary part is the wood/metal "department' is 1/2 the size it used to be.

Chris,

I went to Bob Kovar's shop yesterday, came home with a Seiko CW-8B2. It is exactly the same machine you got from Ron with a different name plate.

Bob's son set it all up for me, brought it home, carried it upstairs, am getting ready to sew something.

ferg

Hey Ferg, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, it's been a great machine so far. Have fun!

Looks good Chris! Thanks for the kind words. Let me know if you need help with anything at all.

Ron

Thanks Ron, will do!

[McJeep]

Nice I'm envious of the square footage - I closed in the back 16' of my garage for leatherwork and am quickly finding it tight as I add things - Had to put the setup table (3x8 folder upper) out in the unheated area with the bikes ;0)