Please Help Me Choose A Leather Sewing Machine That's Local And In The $500 Range?

[latigoandlace]

I need to save up for the Cowboy sewing machine I was told about but I need something to hold me over in the meantime. I've got 4 tack sets I need to finish in the next couple weeks so I'm getting desperate! I'm searching "leather sewing machine" with a couple hours of Salem, Oregon and there are very few options. Which would you recommend?

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/app/4308845003.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/art/4307390182.html

http://eugene.craigslist.org/for/4300209495.html

http://medford.craigslist.org/for/4300812166.html

http://medford.craigslist.org/art/4236966688.html

http://yakima.craigslist.org/clo/4243885101.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/for/4304990039.html

Which one(s) would you choose and do you think that the price(s) are decent? Thanks everyone!

[Constabulary]

http://eugene.craigslist.org/for/4300209495.html

Seems the Pfaff has triple feed and it is cheaper so I would choose the Pfaff

[Wizcrafts]

http://eugene.craigs...4300209495.html

Seems the Pfaff has triple feed and it is cheaper so I would choose the Pfaff

Agreed. But, make sure it works properly and is not missing any parts. Pfaff parts cost through the nose.

[latigoandlace]

I really don't know what I'm looking for but she said it sews well, I was just waiting for her to call me back with the model number so I could get some more info before making the 2 hour journey. What about the Singer 211? (last link I believe)

[Wizcrafts]

None of the machines in your list are capable of exceeding 3/8 inch, if they can even sew that thickness. Plus, none can use thread heavier than #138 at that thickness.

[latigoandlace]

None of the machines in your list are capable of exceeding 3/8 inch, if they can even sew that thickness. Plus, none can use thread heavier than #138 at that thickness.

Yeah I know I'm pushing the limits, I need it to sew 3/8" with 138 thread just to get me by short term. Would you also choose the Pfaff out of the ones I posted above? It's slim pickins in this area for used machines. I honestly wouldn't eve mind buying a machine that could just poke holes and I could go back through with thicker thread later... I just hate using a stitching awl and/or punches for hand sewing! I'm planning on getting the cowboy machine soon, I just have to clear my backlog of orders asap! Thanks!

[pcox]

I don't know about other sub-classes of the 211, but my 211g155 sews 1/2 inch with 207 thread no problems. It is much happier with 7/16 and under and I am sure it is much easier on the machine. I do have a 6 inch pulley on the machine and a 2 inch pulley on the family pro servo

[Wizcrafts]

I also have a modified walking foot machine, which when equipped with the longer system 190 needles can sew almost 1/2 inch. Before I modded it, it barely cleared 3/8 inches of leather. With the standard system 135x16 needles it only barely sews 7/16, after grinding down the inner top surface of the presser foot.

The modification involved routing out the back of the head to allow the walking foot crank arm to lift higher.

Despite this alteration, the machine struggles with #207 thread.

[neelsaddlery]

Hello:

If it were me, I would go with one of the Consew 225 machines. Parts are cheaper, and the machines are more popular the Pfaff machine.