Help In Deciding On Correct Machine.

[Dawn N]

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.

[J Hayes]

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.

[Dawn N]

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.

[Cobra Steve]

Hi Dawn. We have #18,20,21,and 22 needles for that type of work. Steve