silverbackmg Report post Posted June 3, 2013 Are these machine any good for leather? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tnawrot2 Report post Posted June 3, 2013 That is a very misleading question without stating what thickness of leather you intend to sew. I could say yes to your question, without you knowing that I only sew thin wallets and you want to sew harness leather. So it would be better telling us what you intend to sew, and what size thread you want to use. The Juki 555 is basically a high speed tailors machine, it doesn't have a walking foot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 3, 2013 The 555 is a high speed garment sewing machine. You'd have to slow it waaaaay down, or replace the motor with a servo motor. Then, you would need a roller foot conversion kit to feed leather. After all that, it would still be limited to no more than #69 thread, sewing through about 1/4 inch of soft garment or upholstery leather. It would never sew a serious holster, or a dog collar, except for those made of webbing. It could however be used to sew leather vests and skirts, or to replace zippers in fairly thin jackets. Machines like the 555 are used in garment factories, where they sew day in and day out, at 5,000 rpm, until they wear out or seize. The machine sits on top of an oil pan and uses an oil pump to distribute oil to the critical parts, top and bottom. To get the oil to the ends of the wicks, you usually have to spin them a at least 2000 to 2200 rpm. This works out to about 35 stitches per second! Most of us sew at an astounding top speed of only 5 or 6 stitches per second. When I spin a machine up to 10 per second (600 rpm), smoke comes off the leather and the needle. So, what leather items do you intend to sew? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverbackmg Report post Posted June 3, 2013 Thanks for the rapid replies. I am making knife sheaths and tool pouches, some smaller key chain fobs and pocket knife sheaths. Looking at a consew 206RB-1 also. Any info will help. Thanks, Ric Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 3, 2013 The Consew 206RB is a triple feed walking foot machine. The -1 is the first generation and won't have the great features now present on the -5 model. Still, it will sew into 3/8 inch of leather, using #138 bonded nylon thread and a #23 leather point needle. Be sure you test the machine to see if it sews properly. Bring some leather with you and see how well it handles it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
