Needle Feed Juki Question

[Vantramp]

Hi friends! I am, like many, on a very tight budget and wanting a machine that I can use for several purposes. Canvas, denim, and leather work. I have been reading here trying to figure out a good machine that would fit into my very limited resources (around $500) and do what I want for the most part. It is for hobby purposes, not a business so speed isn't really a factor. I have found a few used Juki's on Craigslist that sound to me like they might work out well enough, but I am hoping to gain the advice of you folks with more experience.

Is a Juki DNL-415 a reasonable machine for what I want to do? The projects in leather are simple knife sheaths, seat covers etc. I also would like to be able to sew leather trim onto 100% wool blanket material for making an Anorak etc.

I originally thought I could do this stuff with a Pfaff 130 (a relative's machine) but after reading for several hours here, I realize that would be somewhat unlikely.

So any advice would be greatly appreciated! Also, if the Juki would work, does anyone have any basic idea of what capacity for leather it could handle? Would I still need to hand sew holsters etc?

Thanks in advance,

-Mike

[Wizcrafts]

The Juki DNL-415 is a high speed, needle feed garment sewing machine. It has a standard size bobbin that is inserted from under the table, on the left side. The machine sits in an oil pan and has a pump to distribute the oil. It is designed to be used at very high speeds, in excess of 3,000 rpm. It is not built to handle bonded nylon thread, or to sew anything heavier than vest leather.

You will not find that machine useful for knife sheathes or gun holsters. But, it will sew a pair of cloth pants in a couple of minutes.

[Vantramp]

Thanks for the info Wizcrafts, I suspected that would be the case. I keep reading all the threads on "best starting machine" etc and most of the advice is very similar about saving until you can afford a Tippman Boss then a 441 clone etc. While I could actually go buy a Tippman Boss, I really don't want to spend the money on it for my purposes. I have other goals for our savings(land) and this is just really a hobby for me.

Isn't there some reasonable old/older machine, that can be had for around $500 for doing what I want to do?

-Mike

[CowboyBob]

You should be able to p/u a Singer 111w,Consew 225 for around $500.00

[Vantramp]

Thank You Bob, That is really what I needed, a good target machine to research and hunt for. Now with the model numbers, I am going to go back again and search through the threads here to understand what they can do and what to watch for. I am sure I will have more questions before ya know it, but that ought to keep me busy for a while.

Thanks again! Of course any other advice, thoughts, suggestions etc are also welcome and appreciated.

-Mike