Dawn N Report post Posted March 2, 2014 Hello! About 6 months ago I purchased a Cobra 4 which I love and works great for making holsters. However, it didn't take me long to figure out it was too big for making handbags. The needle makes a hole too large for handbags and I don't like the look. I then realized I needed a different machine that takes a smaller needle. I have been looking at the Consew 206 rb and Cobra 17. However, I don't want to purchase another machine that may not do what I want it to do. If all I wanted was to make leather handbags with 2-4 oz leather what would you recommend? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you for you time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J Hayes Report post Posted March 3, 2014 What are the weights of the handbags you want to make? I think I've read that 138 and even down to 92 can be run on the big 441 clones. Cylinder arm is nice for gusset sewing, I have a Singer 153w101 cylinder arm machine that sews 138 with a 22 needle into 2- 3 layers of 5/6 oz chrome tanned nicely, this machine has no reverse though. Bob sells a Cowboy copy of it that has reverse, CB227R I think???? I guess it really depends on the bags you want to sew. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dawn N Report post Posted March 3, 2014 I want to make lightweight handbags like you would see in department stores, using thin leather and fabric linings. I can run 68 on my cobra but the needle diameter is too big so the holes are very noticeable in the seems. I hope that answers your question. Thanks so much for your reply. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra Steve Report post Posted March 3, 2014 Hi Dawn. We have #18,20,21,and 22 needles for that type of work. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
