Cowboy Cb3200 Or Adler 69-373?

[tossik]

Okay I'm slowly going crazy over the options of sewing machines... I think I narrowed it down to two. I think.

Cowboy CB3200 or Adler 69-373??

I am looking for cylinder machine. Light to medium weight. I will be sewing layerd belts, camera straps, some holsters, knife sheaths, messenger bags and briefcases and other bags. Want to mix canvas, wool felt and leathers. Don't think I will go over 1/2".

I know one machine wont do everything, but I have to start somewhere, so I think cylinder will come more useful than flat bed. I want to eventually get something really light such as Singer 31-15 or so to do wallets and liners and light cloth projects, but that will come later.

My top budget is $2000 including all the shipping. I am located in Oregon if that helps.

Give me your thoughts or leads. I'd appreciate any advise. Thank you!

[Trox]

Adler 69-373 it a narrow arm machine for small leather goods sewing with tex 69 thread (maximum 135 if possible). CB 3200 is a new type of budget heavy stitcher sing the 441 hook and feets (and so on). Capable of sewing heavy leather up to 1/2 inch, with up to thread size tex 415 Bonded nylon. These are very different machine, but are both triple feed cylinder beds. You should buy both. But of course its depended of the material you want to sew.

Tor

[tossik]

Trox, thanks for the input. It seems like that is what people here say to get when referring to the items I talked about. I obviously cannot get both of them. But are they really completely different?

Based on my needs, what would be the machine to get? Anyone have any feedback or recommendations? I don't see myself changing a machine anytime soon, only see myself buying a smaller machine in the next year or so for very light and small stuff.

I am going crazy here...

[Andrew Chee]

The Adler is similar to the Singer 31-15 (I have one for sale btw) in terms of sewing capability. When you say light/medium weight leather, what do you mean? When I sew wallets I use a 69 thread and I consider that light/medium but I make my wallets probably thinner than most people here. The problem with one machine is that the light machine won't sew heavy stuff well and the heavy machine won't sew light stuff well. If you're talking about small leather goods though, you should probably stick with the Adler. You'll find that with the Cowboy you won't be able to sew lighter threads. I started with a Cowboy 3200 type machine and I still have it but now I have two - three other machines as well...

Andrew

[tossik]

Andrew, I want to be able to sew like two 6oz pieces together... I was thinking of getting singer 31 type machine for thinner leathers with 69 thread? This is all new to me, but I just want to start in a good spot from where I can grow by making things that would hopefully sell that would eventually allow me to purchase a second machine that I would be missing on.

How much do you want for your singer? Will you ship to Portland OR?

[Andrew Chee]

The singer 31 will handle two layers of six is leather with 69 thread no problem. I'm only looking for around $200 for mine with a clutch motor. They're not that expensive but shipping would be a pain to Portland unless you want to come to San Francisco area to pick it up. I'm willing to ship but it may cost the same for shipping as for the machine.

Basically you have to ask yourself what you want to start with. A lighter machine or a heavier machine. Assuming both machines are in equally excellent worKing conditions I would say the Adler is better since they are old German machines but it's really a question of what you want to do with the machine.

Andrew