Small Cylinder Arm Machine For Luggage/leather Repair And Light Manufacturing

[Huckering]

I work in a luggage and leather goods shop and we are interested in acquiring a Cylinder Arm Machine, we currently use a Juki LU-562, but it's limitations for our purposes are many. The machine we seek would be used for luggage and leather goods repairs, as well as light manufacturing such as wallets, briefcases, and duffel bags.

I was told a pfaff 335 would suit my needs, however there appear to be many clones out there which have very little feedback. As far as I can tell, current "pfaffs" are now known as Mauser Speziale, manufactured in china and tuned in germany. Since these are made in china, is there really any advantage over a chinese made clone such as a reliable, highlead, supreme, etc? How interchangable are replacement parts and accessories, would I be stuck paying an arm and a leg for Pfaff/Mauser parts? Is there a big difference in build quality between clones? Does support vary a lot between clone brands?

Here's a description of what we are looking for:

-Able to sew as thin as 2 layers of 1000D nylon to as thick as perhaps 20oz of leather

-Single Phase Servo Motor (the reliable 5000 looks ideal)

-Ability to handle thread weight 69 and up

-Narrow cylinder arm

-Available removable attachments (binders, roller guides, etc)

Based on the requirements above, which of the following would you recommend? Or would you recommend something else?

1. Used - rebuilt german Adler 69 for $2100 (available at local shoe repair supplier)

2. Used - rebuilt older german Pfaff 335 $2200 (available at local shoe repair supplier)

3. New - Supreme 335 free arm machine - head only $1575 (available at local shoe repair supplier)

4. New - Reliable MSK-335B for $2299 (would have to buy this online)

5. other...

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.

[Huckering]

Also, are there specific areas I should inspect on used 335 type machines? Worn-out or cracked components? Thanks.

[Trox]

Hi,

Pfaff are good machines,however it has expensive spare parts.

Chinese sewing machine production works like the car industry, no ones produce all parts them self. They buy part from other contractors and assembly the machine. There are several different qualities of parts, companies like Pfaff and Dürkopp Adler uses the best quality. They also have support and spare parts, clones often uses the original copied machine brand for spare parts.

Buying a clone be sure it has support, somebody that stand behind their product as our member dealers of clones do. Cobra, Cowboy and Tecksew sewing machines.

Clones that comes in a box might need adjustment, changing of parts and several hours of work.

About the machines in your list

I have a older Pfaff 345 H3 (vertical hook, thicker arm, or else the same machine) very happy with it.

Pfaff are very good machines H4 is the heaviest subclass of the 335, H3 is also good. Check the H number, H1 and H2 will not sew thick enough or take thick thread.

You are located in the USA where prices on German sewing machine are high, you might also look at the Juki small arm, it might be available to a better price.

I think the prices on those rebuilt Pfaff`s was a bit high, check this site to compare http://www.miamisewi...ials/canvas.htm They have several 335`s for sale to a better price.

The Adler 69 is a good machine too, it came first time in 1955 and its still available new some places (name changes in 1990 from Adler to Dürkopp Adler) It is possible to check its age.

I do not know the Supreme.

I think the reliable is a decent clone, however you must buy one that is sewn off with support.

Good luck

Trox

Edited November 8, 2012 by Trox

[Techsew Ron]

I work in a luggage and leather goods shop and we are interested in acquiring a Cylinder Arm Machine, we currently use a Juki LU-562, but it's limitations for our purposes are many. The machine we seek would be used for luggage and leather goods repairs, as well as light manufacturing such as wallets, briefcases, and duffel bags.

I was told a pfaff 335 would suit my needs, however there appear to be many clones out there which have very little feedback. As far as I can tell, current "pfaffs" are now known as Mauser Speziale, manufactured in china and tuned in germany. Since these are made in china, is there really any advantage over a chinese made clone such as a reliable, highlead, supreme, etc? How interchangable are replacement parts and accessories, would I be stuck paying an arm and a leg for Pfaff/Mauser parts? Is there a big difference in build quality between clones? Does support vary a lot between clone brands?

Here's a description of what we are looking for:

-Able to sew as thin as 2 layers of 1000D nylon to as thick as perhaps 20oz of leather

-Single Phase Servo Motor (the reliable 5000 looks ideal)

-Ability to handle thread weight 69 and up

-Narrow cylinder arm

-Available removable attachments (binders, roller guides, etc)

Based on the requirements above, which of the following would you recommend? Or would you recommend something else?

1. Used - rebuilt german Adler 69 for $2100 (available at local shoe repair supplier)

2. Used - rebuilt older german Pfaff 335 $2200 (available at local shoe repair supplier)

3. New - Supreme 335 free arm machine - head only $1575 (available at local shoe repair supplier)

4. New - Reliable MSK-335B for $2299 (would have to buy this online)

5. other...

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.

Support varies more by seller than by brand of machinery. You want to buy from someone who will be there for you at any given time if something goes wrong with your machine.

If you're buying a used machine, make sure it's been tested, adjusted and is ready to sew when you receive it. Otherwise you may have to pay for a mechanic to do this work for you. Having said that, the Pfaff 335 is a good machine and you should have no problems using it for leather goods. The price does seem a bit high though, as you can get a brand new 335 or Singer 153 clone with servo motor for around $1600. Quality of clones varies from one person to the next, so keep in mind that just because 2 machines look the same the quality of their inner components may be completely different. Do your research and read reviews.

Feel free to give us a call or email if you need any more advice!

Ron

Edited November 8, 2012 by Techsew Ron

[Trox]

Hi Ron, I see he lives in New Jersey, he might not have electricity or Internet connection. Or how is the situation in that area now? What kind of new triple feed small arm machines do you sell Ron? equivalent to the Adler 69 or Pfaff 335.

Thanks

Trox

[Techsew Ron]

Hi Ron, I see he lives in New Jersey, he might not have electricity or Internet connection. Or how is the situation in that area now? What kind of new triple feed small arm machines do you sell Ron? equivalent to the Adler 69 or Pfaff 335.

Thanks

Trox

Hi Trox,

Electricity has been restored to most of the affected areas in NJ and NY.

One of our most popular machines is the Techsew 2700 which is a Singer 153 clone except ours has reverse. This one is used by many in the leather goods industry.

Also we have the Techsew 2800 which is a Pfaff 335 clone with binding attachment.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Takk!

Ron

[Leather Guru]

Hi Trox & Ron , I got 335s &69s here in my atelier & I also have a 269-373 where the feed dog lifts up . Almost every thing I could do on the smaller arm machines I could do just as well on the 269 . The 269 has the big cannettes & can handle more heavy work as well as medium & light . I've seen some nice clones of these machines & they are good . If I could, I'd trade for another 269