Members Jdbfish Posted July 30, 2012 Members Report Posted July 30, 2012 Hello everyone, wanting opinions on what the best all around machine is. Wanting to do belts, slings, wallets, sheaths, chaps, etc. would like to get the most bang for the buck as possible on a tight budget!!!! Thanks... Quote
Members Ken Nelson Posted July 30, 2012 Members Report Posted July 30, 2012 Hello everyone, wanting opinions on what the best all around machine is. Wanting to do belts, slings, wallets, sheaths, chaps, etc. would like to get the most bang for the buck as possible on a tight budget!!!! Thanks... I would suggest you read the pinned posts by wizcrafts at the top of this page. How "tight" is your budget? Unless you get lucky, one sewing machine that will do all the things you desire it to do is going to cost some real money. Unless you are experienced, I would suggest you purchase from a dealer like those at the top of the page, or a local person that can work on the machine. I have had several locals here buy a "bargain" off of Craigs List or Ebay, then bring it in wanting me to work on it for free because it won't sew or cannot do what they need it to. They have ussually ended up spending more on getting it fixed than they could have bought a good used machine from a dealer for. New is good and super good for the first time buyer. Being set up for leather sewing is the key. Hope this helps. Ken Quote
Members shtoink Posted July 30, 2012 Members Report Posted July 30, 2012 Unless you are experienced, I would suggest you purchase from a dealer like those at the top of the page, or a local person that can work on the machine. I have had several locals here buy a "bargain" off of Craigs List or Ebay, then bring it in wanting me to work on it for free because it won't sew or cannot do what they need it to. They have usually ended up spending more on getting it fixed than they could have bought a good used machine from a dealer for. There's a saying in Spanish that always seems so appropriate for those sorts of situations... Lo varato sale caro. (The cheap comes out expensive) I have shot myself in the foot many times for that exact reason more than I care to admit. Trying to be Cheapy the Cheapsakate, but ending up spending more than it would have cost for a new one, and to make things worse, the thing generally isn't as good as "the new things" I was trying to avoid spending all that money on. I can concur with avoiding the "cheapest" pitfall, it's rare that it works in your favor. Quote
CowboyBob Posted July 30, 2012 Report Posted July 30, 2012 Lo varato sale caro. (The cheap comes out expensive) Isn't that the truth!! I've had people with 4-5 machines all some cheapies they have some $$ into & then when they find out they don't work they want to trade them in for what they paid for them & most of the times I don't want or even have a use for them. So if your going to buy used you have to be careful. HTH, Bob Quote Bob Kovar Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine Sales Ltd. 3631 Marine Rd Toledo,Ohio 43609 1-866-362-7397
Moderator Art Posted July 30, 2012 Moderator Report Posted July 30, 2012 Look for dealers at the top of the page. Talk to each of them, and pick the one you like best, or the one that is closest, or something. Get the machine he recommends or the next grade up and PAY WHAT HE ASKS. These are the only dealers I know who equip machines and tune them for leatherwork. Leather sewing machines do not generally come up on eBay or Craig's List, they are either sold between leatherworkers or handled as trade-ins by the dealers above. Warranty is important and tech support is invaluable. Ebay won't provide you with anything that won't require work or adjustment. Art Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members Jdbfish Posted August 2, 2012 Author Members Report Posted August 2, 2012 Thanks for the input. Found an older machine I can pick up for around$500. Have not seen it in person yet but saw a video of it sewing. Guy guarantees it to be in 100% working order. He said it was a singer saddlemaker and will sew up to 3/4" leather. What are your opinions on this? Quote
Members busted Posted August 2, 2012 Members Report Posted August 2, 2012 What is the model of this machine?? Perhaps a picture or two. Thanks for the input. Found an older machine I can pick up for around$500. Have not seen it in person yet but saw a video of it sewing. Guy guarantees it to be in 100% working order. He said it was a singer saddlemaker and will sew up to 3/4" leather. What are your opinions on this? Quote
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted August 2, 2012 Contributing Member Report Posted August 2, 2012 Given the listing of what you want to be making, I'd say avoid the antique singer 'saddle maker'. Of everything you listed, the sheaths are probably going to be the thickest, everything else is pretty thin. I'd say go with some version of a 277 machine (whether it's Consew, Cowboy, etc.). That's a medium duty, moderately high lift, triple feed machine.....and it's a cylinder arm which will come in handy for bags. OR if you definitely won't be doing anything with gussets, look at a flatbed like the 206RB, or Singer 111/112/211/212. The big machines may have the capacity for thicker leather, but may not be able to handle smaller thread. That becomes and issue when you want to sew belts with 138, or wallets with 92 (or even 69). I have a Champion Shoe machine (for now) and a problem I have with it is that it doesn't so so well with thread smaller than 207. Big thread is no problem, as it was designed to use it...just not small thread. Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Members Rayban Posted August 2, 2012 Members Report Posted August 2, 2012 Based on what you want to do with it, I would advise getting a 441 clone from the dealer nearest you. Quote Raybanwww.rgleather.net
KAYAK45 Posted August 2, 2012 Report Posted August 2, 2012 Where are you in the GREAT USA. Big country! We can help better, if we know where here is, or as they say in politics,. what is....is? Quote Once believed in GOD and the DOllAR...... Hello God!
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