Choosing A Sewing Machine For Saddle Leather

[samthedog]

Hello folks. I am quite new here but not a complete stranger to leather work. In the past I have either used an awl or glued, then drilled holes in the leather in order to use waxed thread for stitching. This is quite a lot of work and I am looking to make life easier.

I rebuild machines as a hobby and stumbled across a German 5 in 1 a week ago that will make cutting much easier so now I am looking at making stitching more time efficient.

Having done some reserach I am guessing a walking foot machine would be the ideal. Living in Norway has an advantage that I have access to many machines at a reasonable price. Not all are walking foot but all are industrial. I have attached some examples below:

http://www.blocket.se/stockholm/Beg_industrisymaskin_WALKING_FOOT_5760__ex_49915443.htm?ca=23_14&w=3

http://www.blocket.se/klippan/Pfaff_industrisymaskin_49527568.htm?ca=23_14&w=3

http://www.finn.no/finn/torget/annonse?finnkode=45301559&searchQuery=pfaff

http://www.finn.no/finn/torget/annonse?finnkode=44838820&searchQuery=pfaff#resultat?keyword

The machine in the last link seems to be a walking foot type and looks to be in good condition as well. I know of Adler machines so it seems like a decent price and would fulfil my needs. Any opinions on the line up? Sorry about the laguage being Swedish or Norwegian. Thanks for any help.

Paul.

[Constabulary]

The 2nd + 3rd machine do not have a walking foot. The last one is an Adler 204 assuming subclass 64 it has no walking foot but has a needle feed as far as I can tell from the pictures.

They ask 5000 Kronas for it? Thats just about 600€ if I´m right.

GO BUY IT - don´t wait until its gone! Thats is unbelievable cheap!

[Constabulary]

looking closer at the picture I´d say i´d may have walking (or alternating) foot but not compound / triple feed. So not sure about the subclass. Anyway, it seems to be a really good price.

[samthedog]

Thanks Constabulary. The machine is indeed an Adler 204-64 and the gent selling it said he has sewn extremely thick materials with no issues. I also believe that I can get the machine cheaper than the asking price since it has been for sale since the 29th of last month. It has a 3 phase motor which is ok as I have 3 phase in my workshop.

So the Adler 204-64 would sew saddle leather then? I will be sewing pistol holsters, axe faces, knife sheaths etc.. so I want a machine that can handle this type of work.

Thanks for the help so far.

Paul.

[tnawrot2]

I found some information on an Adler 204-64 that might help. It sews leather up to 5/8" thick, it has triple feed, sews in reverse, uses needle sizes from 160 to 230, can use thread up to size 386 and has a maximum stitch length of 12mm

[samthedog]

Thanks tnawrot2. Does the machine I linked to look like it has triple feet or is the same as the 204-64 you are referring to?

Paul

[tnawrot2]

It seems the information I found is incorrect. Blowing up the picture, it shows that the Adler 204-64 is not a walking foot.

Here is the blown up picture

[samthedog]

Thanks for the reply. I received some more pictures which I have attached. The machine also looks like a cobbled together franken-machine. I don't believe I will offer the asking price - providing the general opinion from you guys who know machines better than I do think this will still do the job of sewing heavy leather.

[samthedog]

On a side note, I did find this one:

http://www.finn.no/finn/torget/annonse?finnkode=44226266&searchQuery=industrisymaskin

The lady says the motor is struggling but this is not a big deal given the condition and the price. It seems to be an Adler 67 - 73 walking foot. I will wait to hear back if it is still for sale.

[tnawrot2]

First of all, lets look at the first picture of the three your recently posted. Looking from the side you can see only two rods/shafts. One for the needle and one for the foot. If it was a walking foot machine you would have three rods/shafts one for the needle, one for the outer foot and one for the inner foot.

The last machine that you posted looks like a double needle sewing machine, and it is not walking foot. Also it might not sew with heavy thread, and the height of the pressure foot might not be high enough for heavy work.

[Constabulary]

Needles feed - Seems my eyes are still good. :D

I honestly would buy the 205-64 as the price is very good and needle feed is very good too, triple feed / compound feed may be better but I don´t think that the effect is noticeable when you look at your finished work pieces but it depends on what you want to sew with it.Triple feed just gives more constant pressure on your material when the material is moving forward. And the Adler has a motor with needle positioning system (assuming an EFKA Variostop)

Just to give you an idea what triple feed is:

Needle feet is about the same but the middle bar with he small foot is missing.

not sure if you see it but the needle bar moves forward with the material.

Big advantage of the Adler is that it has MUCH bigger bobbin compared with all other machines you posted. The bobbin is about 3 times bigger than the one from a Singer 111 The machine stand is quite nuts so I think you have to build or buy a new one but thats not a big issue considering what a great machine you buy for this money.

I had an Adler 104 (forerunner of the 204) and it was an awesome machine but I figured it is too big for me as I mostly sew 4-6mm Canvas and my Singer 111 does the job very well. But If I had the chance to buy one for a good price I would buy one again but I currently do not have the space for more machines.

Still - I would buy the 204 even when it cost 6000 Kronas

[samthedog]

Hmmm, thanks for the replies guys. It looks like I'm back to the 204. I will offer substantially less than the asking price since I will junk the table - I am guessing 3000 Kroner would be my starting offer. I am travelling out this weekend to look at it. I have the advantage that I'm in no rush. I have found many nice machines in the last few days but I need something heavy duty.

Constabulary: what is the control like on the 204 and how hard is it to get accessories? I need a range of feet since I will be stitching belts, straps, sheaths, shoes etc.

Thanks for the help so far guys. Very much appreciated since machines I work with are more the metal and wood working variety.

Paul.

[Constabulary]

Control depends on the motor. I have not used the EFKA Variostop ever, I think it is an advanced model of an clutch motor. There are clutch motors which are good controllable and some are hard to control. Just take a workpiece with you and try the machine + motor. If you can´t control the motor a new servomotor would be an option. But I really have no experience with the installed motor. Maybe some other member here can tell you more.

Well, accessories could be an issue. You don´t find many for the big Adler 104 or 204 but maybe some accessories of the clone machines that will work with the 204. Shuttle hooks + bobbins are easy to get. But shuttles are expensive so be careful with it. But maybe some accessories will come with the machine. Have you asked the seller?

I still have some different feet and accessories of my 104 and the forerunner Adler 4 / 5. But´m I´m not sure if they all work with the 204.

I think the 204 uses different shuttles than the 104 but don´t know for sure.

[oldtimer]

Paul. get in touch with "Trox" on this forum, he is Nowegian ( Oslo) and is expert on sewing machines. He will straighten out your needs!

/Knut

[samthedog]

Thanks Knut. Much appreciated.

Paul.