cmantz Report post Posted February 13, 2013 I am in the market for a used leather sewing machine. Right now I will be sewing horse tack....halters, nosebands, breastcollars, headstalls, etc. Nothing too thick....the majority would be under .5" thick. At some point I might want to sew leather corners onto wool saddle pads and they are usually about 1" thick...but I do have someone that can do that for me and this is not something I expect to do too often. I was looking at the Cobra Class 4 machine...long arm but wonder if that is really overkill for what I need. I talked to a local machine guy and he recommended the Adler 467. I can get a refrub head with new table, motor, speed reducer for $1195. My thinking is that I could always start off with a flat bed machine and then sell it, if and when I need to upgrade to a cylinder arm. thoughts? suggestions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hauss Report post Posted February 16, 2013 Hi I don't know a lot about the adler 467 but what I have read they are built like a tank and make a great stitch maybe one of the Experts on here will chime in. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billymac814 Report post Posted February 16, 2013 I'm thinking if most of the stuff you'll be sewing is around 1/2" you'll be running the machine at pretty much full capacity all the time which isn't suggested. I think you'd be better off with the Cobra or Cowboy, you'd be able to do everything you want to do then. I've never used the 467 but I'm sure its a great machine but judging by the specs the maximum foot clearance is 16mm which is just over 1/2". I have a Consew206rb with similar specs and I would not want to use it a max capacity, and especially if I'm sewing hard sense leather. I also have a Cowboy 4500 and it sews through the thick heavy leather with no problem at all and is a pleasure to use. So in the end I don't think the Cobra is overkill for what you need if you're doing tack work, in fact it is perfect for that. Hopefully someone else will chime in here too. I'd at the very least try one out with the material you'll be using. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) My thinking is that I could always start off with a flat bed machine and then sell it, if and when I need to upgrade to a cylinder arm. Your thinking backwards get a cylinder arm machine first and then if you think you need it get a flat bed attachment for it. Depending on how you make your breast collars you could be sewing over a 1/2 inch real easy. On my Pro 2000 i can sew pretty thin and get a nice stitch or sew thick and get a nice stitch. I would get the bigger machine with a 16 inch arm. As far as using a Cowboy or Cobra i never have even seen one in person so i can't comment on them. But i have talked to to Bob and ordered quite a few things from him and have got great service. Never have talked to or ordered from Steve. Edited February 16, 2013 by dirtclod Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) Before anybody buys a sewing machine thinking it will sew up to 1/2 inch, see what needle system and thickness of presser feet it uses. If it uses system 190 (Pfaff needles, the (inside) foot would probably have to be less than 1/8 inch thick, with the alternating foot lift set to minimum. Or else, you would have to remove the thread guide from the bottom of the needle bar. A machine equipped with the regular system 135x16 needles will not sew 1/2 inch, unless you remove the feet. You don't really get into a 1/2 inch capable machine unless it uses systems 214 (328) or 794 (7x3) needles, or longer. The 45k/GA1 type machines use system 214/328 and the 441 clones and Adler 204 and 205 use system 7x3/794. Edited February 16, 2013 by Wizcrafts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
awharness Report post Posted February 17, 2013 I have one of these 467's and a couple 441's (juki and sewpro) 467 is great, but if youre sewing tack, you want the 441 style! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmantz Report post Posted February 18, 2013 Thank you all for your input. Wish I could find a used Cobra or Cowboy out there! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billymac814 Report post Posted February 18, 2013 Thank you all for your input. Wish I could find a used Cobra or Cowboy out there! They come up quite often in the for sale section. There was a whole setup of an almost brand new Cobra for 2k. Not a bad deal considering it costs 2700 for the same package new. I don't know if its still there but it would be worth checking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmantz Report post Posted February 18, 2013 I think that one that was for sale for $2000 has been sold. Apparently someone from the forum made arrangements to buy it and drove up there (250+ miles) and when he got there the seller decided to sell it to his buddy instead! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted February 18, 2013 Here ya go http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=44896 . You can see if he still has it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
