What Is A Great Machine For Mid Weight Work?

[Prince]

I've been getting more and more soft leather work and my Toro 3000 just isn't ideal for it. It handles the thick stuff I sew well enough but it just mutilates the thin stuff. Plus I'd like to get sitting level machine with a large work surface too.

So I need something that can handle any garment type leather I throw at it. This could be wallets, jackets, chaps, doublets, vets, coats or whatever oddity comes to mind. I don't need it to sew fabric due to other light weight machines but, even so, it would be nice if it could handle everything from a piece of paper up to several layers of garment leather. I'm still doing low volume custom work but I'm picking up the pace with production more and more so having something that can really fly would be nice too.

Are there any leather machines out there that have the bells and whistles like electronic control, auto thread cut, and so forth? I know there are a ton of machines out there but are there any highly recommended favorites? I'd like this next machine to have some extra versatility. Any swiss army multifunction sewing machines around? hehe I'm not sure what price range I can afford for this one, I'd rather not make a decision influenced heavily on price. I mean, I really don't know what sort of price territory I'm getting to when asking for a leather machine with all the bells and whistles, but hopefully it won't be too crazy.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions : )

Edited March 4, 2012 by Prince

[Prince]

I should also mention that I want to be able to try the fine stitching art (with sewing used as the lines and decoration) that I've seen some of you do.

Also, would it be too much to hope to find all the above with a sideways stitching option? Or should I just resign myself to eventually having a number of specific machines?

Edited March 4, 2012 by Prince

[Andrew Chee]

I've been getting more and more soft leather work and my Toro 3000 just isn't ideal for it. It handles the thick stuff I sew well enough but it just mutilates the thin stuff. Plus I'd like to get sitting level machine with a large work surface too.

So I need something that can handle any garment type leather I throw at it. This could be wallets, jackets, chaps, doublets, vets, coats or whatever oddity comes to mind. I don't need it to sew fabric due to other light weight machines but, even so, it would be nice if it could handle everything from a piece of paper up to several layers of garment leather. I'm still doing low volume custom work but I'm picking up the pace with production more and more so having something that can really fly would be nice too.

Are there any leather machines out there that have the bells and whistles like electronic control, auto thread cut, and so forth? I know there are a ton of machines out there but are there any highly recommended favorites? I'd like this next machine to have some extra versatility. Any swiss army multifunction sewing machines around? hehe I'm not sure what price range I can afford for this one, I'd rather not make a decision influenced heavily on price. I mean, I really don't know what sort of price territory I'm getting to when asking for a leather machine with all the bells and whistles, but hopefully it won't be too crazy.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions : )

I was in a similar situation as you. I bought a used Toro 3000 from Cobra Steve. It worked great but I wanted something for lighter weight work (something that would sew a 69 thread) and I asked Steve what machine would be good for light work if one already had a heavy weight machine. He recommended the Cobra class 17 and that's what I got. I think I've worked the kinks out of it and I'm pretty happy with it. The class 17 is top and bottom feed (no needle feed) and one thing that I realize now though was that I should've gotten a compound foot machine (which was the more expensive model class 18 that I didn't get) because on some slippery leathers the smooth feet can slip a bit and cause inconsistent stitch lengths. So keep that in mind when you're looking.

A positioner motor was an option but I didn't get. Looking back that would've been really nice to have. Keeps you from having to see when your needle is up or down. Never heard of a leather machine with an auto thread cutter though but I doubt it would save you too much effort unless you're doing high volume production. Anyways, good luck.

Andrew

[Prince]

Thanks for the tip. I'll look at a Cobra 18 and see what they're about. Definitely want the compound action.

The auto cut feature is just something I saw in a youtube video that made me go bug-eyed and shout "I WANT THAT!" at my screen... lol whatever video it was in had the machine sewing at the speed of light too... was a pretty impressive machine, just can't find the link again and I think it was for fabric anyhow.

If any sewing machine shops see this thread and want to give me a ring to talk about this I'll be looking to buy before the month is over. New or good used condition is fine. 254 4850032 or email Samuel@PrinceArmory.com

I suppose the positioner motor is probably what I mean by having electronic control. I do want that feature as well.

Edited March 5, 2012 by Prince

[Andrew Chee]

Thanks for the tip. I'll look at a Cobra 18 and see what they're about. Definitely want the compound action.

The auto cut feature is just something I saw in a youtube video that made me go bug-eyed and shout "I WANT THAT!" at my screen... lol whatever video it was in had the machine sewing at the speed of light too... was a pretty impressive machine, just can't find the link again and I think it was for fabric anyhow.

If any sewing machine shops see this thread and want to give me a ring to talk about this I'll be looking to buy before the month is over. New or good used condition is fine. 254 4850032 or email Samuel@PrinceArmory.com

I suppose the positioner motor is probably what I mean by having electronic control. I do want that feature as well.

Depending on the thickness of leather you're working on, you actually may not want too much speed. As for a positioner, everytime I finish a stitch I think to myself "gee, it would be nice if I had a positioner motor". That way I don't have to either watch the take-up lever or hand wheel the needle up. Not that big a deal but definitely nice to have.

BTW, saw your website. Not really my aesthetic but your work is awesome.

Andrew

[amuckart]

1330904563[/url]' post='237569']

I should also mention that I want to be able to try the fine stitching art (with sewing used as the lines and decoration) that I've seen some of you do.

Also, would it be too much to hope to find all the above with a sideways stitching option? Or should I just resign myself to eventually having a number of specific machines?

By my count you're up to three machines so far. For decorative stitching ou want a wheel-feed machine, for light to mid weight work the Cobra 3 is too big for you want something like a Seiko LSC8 and I'm not sure what you mean about "sideways stitching option".

The thing about industrial machines is that they tend to be made to do one thing, quickly and well with a minimum of down time. That tends to limit their inherent flexibility.

[CowboyBob]

By my count you're up to three machines so far. For decorative stitching ou want a wheel-feed machine, for light to mid weight work the Cobra 3 is too big for you want something like a Seiko LSC8 and I'm not sure what you mean about "sideways stitching option".

The thing about industrial machines is that they tend to be made to do one thing, quickly and well with a minimum of down time. That tends to limit their inherent flexibility.

I think the sideways stitching he's talking about is zig-zag.

Many home machines have this option & so do some Industrials,but you need a walking foot Industrial capable of doing some fine work on leather & you don't want to leave marks as the walking foot zig-zag feet has teeth on the bottom & they are also very wide.A standard straight stitch walking foot like our Chandler 406RB will do a great job sewing your leather & there are many different feet available too.

Bob

[Prince]

I think the sideways stitching he's talking about is zig-zag.

Many home machines have this option & so do some Industrials,but you need a walking foot Industrial capable of doing some fine work on leather & you don't want to leave marks as the walking foot zig-zag feet has teeth on the bottom & they are also very wide.A standard straight stitch walking foot like our Chandler 406RB will do a great job sewing your leather & there are many different feet available too.

Bob

No, not zig zag. I think its called transverse stitching.

It does sound like I'll need more than one machine though. That's alright, I'll get there. I just have to figure out which purchase would be the best for now.

What is a 'wheel feed' machine btw?

[amuckart]

A wheel feed machine has a roller instead of a pressor foot. Modern ones have the wheel driven in time with the lower feed. Some also combine needle feed. The roller makes turning corners much easier, and because it is off to one side of the needle it's much easier to see what you're doing with decorative stitching. All the cowboy boot makers I've seen use roller foot machines for decorative work.

[Prince]

A wheel feed machine has a roller instead of a pressor foot. Modern ones have the wheel driven in time with the lower feed. Some also combine needle feed. The roller makes turning corners much easier, and because it is off to one side of the needle it's much easier to see what you're doing with decorative stitching. All the cowboy boot makers I've seen use roller foot machines for decorative work.

oh, that sounds quite nice indeed. that in conjunction with a positioner motor seems like good idea.

And after looking around I think the sideways stitching/transverse stitching machines are called patchers. why they are called that I couldn't say but I found these two:

http://www.leathermachineco.com/catalog.php?item=37

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Techsew-2900-Leather-Patching-Machine-Industrial-Sewing-Machine-/270905893320?pt=BI_Sewing_Machines&hash=item3f133fe1c8

I think this would be a secondary purchase because my friend who's working with me now has one of these that is foot powered. Not ideal but passable for now. So I -think- a flatbed 'wheel machine' with fancy motor would be a good call for the next machine purchase. Never even seen a wheel machine so do you have any suggestions?

Thanks again

[Techsew Ron]

oh, that sounds quite nice indeed. that in conjunction with a positioner motor seems like good idea.

And after looking around I think the sideways stitching/transverse stitching machines are called patchers. why they are called that I couldn't say but I found these two:

http://www.leatherma...log.php?item=37

http://www.ebay.com/...=item3f133fe1c8

I think this would be a secondary purchase because my friend who's working with me now has one of these that is foot powered. Not ideal but passable for now. So I -think- a flatbed 'wheel machine' with fancy motor would be a good call for the next machine purchase. Never even seen a wheel machine so do you have any suggestions?

Thanks again

They're called "patchers" because they were originally designed for repairing or patching shoes, or sewing leather patches onto garments.

Example of a roller foot or wheel feed machine is the Techsew 810. Suitable for some medium weight work however you'll want a machine with a walking foot if you're sewing anything thicker than garment weight leather or boot uppers.

Ron

[Jimbob]

I have a mint SINGER 31-15 FOR SALE....pm ME IF INTERRESTED......NOT FOR MEDIUM HEAVY BUT FOR LIGhT TO MEDIUM AND ESPECIALLY FOR DECORATIVE STITCHING!!

James