Neel's Saddlery Model 5-1...should I Buy It?

[Janessa]

My leatherwork is turning into more than just a hobby and I need to upgrade my machine asap. I've looked at new Cobra's and Cowboy's and I just can't justify the prices with my budget yet. I found a used (9 years old, but little use) Neel's Saddlery model 5-1 with a 1/2 HP Gemsey clutch motor for a good price that my budget is much more comfortable with, but I don't know that much about this machine and if it will be a reliable for what I need it for. My biggest worry about the machine is that it only has a 10" working area and I'd prefer a 16".

I am currently working on 2 saddles, two rifle scabbards, some chinks, a breast collar, and a few miscellaneous items. The chinks will be the thinnest items I ever sew; most of the time I'll be sewing one or two thicknesses of skirting leather.

My current machine is a Pfaff 545 with a clutch motor, which works ok for my needs, but not great (the belt and pulley set-up is way too fast, but it does have plenty of power). I haven't had the blessing of ever using a servo motor, so I don't know what I'm missing there.

So, what do you experts think? Will this machine fit my needs and be reliable long into the future until I can afford a nice shiny new Cobra?

[Wizcrafts]

That Neel's number 5 is a good machine for saddlery, like you want to do It sews just under 1/2 inch, depending on how dense the leather is. It uses heavy bonded nylon and bonded polyester thread, definitely up to #346. The machine is bottom feed only, with aggressive feed dogs. As long as the bottom appearance isn't critical to your work, this machine is a decent alternative to a CB4500.

What you will lack is a walking foot that climbs up and down new layers, triple - needle feed and a 16.5" arm. Those things exist on the model CB3200 and up.