Choosing A Sewing Machine For Saddle Leather

[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.