mezamurillo Report post Posted September 1, 2013 Does anyone out there use the sailrite Ls1 sewing machine for making leather wallets and bags. I'm looking at the sailrite Ls1 machine but I'm not sure. I would like to spend $800.00. Or is there another machine I should be looking at to sew leather for that price. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted September 2, 2013 The LS1 is a sail making/repair machine. It's feeding mechanism has been known to leave pretty aggressive tracks in the leather, and most of the members here who've had one.....sold it. If you can add another $200 to your budget, you could go through Toledo Industrial Machines (Bob Kovar) and get the Chandler walking foot machine, which is a clone of the Consew 205/206, complete with motor and table. That is a unison feed machine and has sufficient capacity under the foot for most of what you are wanting to sew. http://www.tolindsew...dler-406rb.html If you'll be doing a large amount of bag work, you might want to consider going with a cylinder arm machine (Consew 277 or clone; or one of the Juki clones...Cobra/Cowboy) instead of a flatbed. It would allow you to work on things like gussetts more easily, and to be able to add a bottom to the bag by feeding the bag over the cylinder. Hedley Pepper has some videos on YouTube that show her doing exactly that. You can search the YT, or just go to Steve's site and follow the links from there. If this is your first leather sewing machine, it's worth MUCH more than the cost of the machine to go through one of the dealers that advertise on this page (ad banners at top), as they set the machines up specifically for leather, and offer fantastic tech support. Bob Kovar/ Toledo Industrial Sew, Steve Tayrien/ Leather Machine Co., and Ronnie (sorry, I forgot your last name!)/ Techsew are all well known for their service after the sale. I understand that this probably isn't what you wanted to hear ...you need to spend more money....but many of us have learned that it's best to get "enough" sewing machine to begin with. If you haven't read it yet, there is a very informative article in the sewing machine forum here that is worth reading. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted September 2, 2013 Prisoners also use these portable walking foot machines, which they pay for with money earned while in jail, then take home, if/when they are released. Then they become instant sewers/leathercrafters, until they offend again and end up back in the joint. Don't become a prisoner, buy a real industrial sewing machine, not a Thompson or Alphasew mini walking foot machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mezamurillo Report post Posted September 3, 2013 Is this a good deal for750.00 NEW CHANDLER CM406RB-1 FREE Drop Down Roller Guide with every machine order ($300 Value) THIS AUCTION IF FOR A HEAD ONLY Chandler CM406RB-1/ 406RB industrial sewing machine is a upholstery machine for home, auto and boat upholstery. This walking foot machine feeds heavy material found in upholstery, interchangeable feet allow you to sew welt, zipper, top stitch and edge guide feet. The large capacity “M” style bobbin holds more thread than a standard “G” style allowing you to sew longer seams and more projects without having to change the bobbin thread. Heavy duty, single needle triple feed: drop feed, needle feed and alternating (walking) presser feet. Specifications Max Stitch: 2-1/2 s.p.i. (10mm) Max Speed: 3300 s.p.m. Clearance Under Foot: 9/16″ (14mm) Needle Bar Stroke: 1-5/16″ (33mm) Needle: 135×17, DPx17 Stitch Type: 301 Applications For sewing light to heavy-weight materials such as leather, vinyl, upholstery, synthetics, canvas and various coated and laminated products. Designed for stitching such products as auto, boat and furniture upholstery, tarpaulins, covers, sails, tents, camping trailer covers, awnings, umbrellas, tops, bags, luggage, handbags, travelware accessories, sports and camping equipment, wearing apparel, outdoor clothing, canvas shoes, slippers, orthopedic appliances etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted September 3, 2013 Take note that the eBay auction is for the head only, for $750. You need to consider that the k-legs, table with proper size cutout, oil drip pan, thread stand, flex lamp, motor and belt are going to add another $300 to $400 to your cost. You'll also have quite a bit of time involved assembling everything and custom fitting any mismatched cutouts. You can buy the entire Chandler unit, assembled, adjusted and sewn off, shipped strapped onto a pallet (or knocked down into several boxes), for about $1300 (shipped). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
