Members Rayban Posted June 2, 2015 Members Report Posted June 2, 2015 Hand stitching a belt is not difficult, IMO, just time consuming. As for a stitching machines (electric) I know nothing about cheap ones. Quote Raybanwww.rgleather.net
Members OLDNSLOW Posted June 2, 2015 Members Report Posted June 2, 2015 I know there would not be any CHEAP machines, but hope that I might find a good used one for a reasonable price, thanks for the input in that it is time consuming to hand stitch, time is what I have a lot of. Quote
Members Dwight Posted June 2, 2015 Members Report Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) I know there would not be any CHEAP machines, but hope that I might find a good used one for a reasonable price, thanks for the input in that it is time consuming to hand stitch, time is what I have a lot of. I actually have two machines for leather, . . . my belt machine is a Tippmann Boss, . . . usually on Ebay, . . . can be picked up for $1000 or so usually. I prefer it for belts & holsters as I can absolutely put that stitch where I want it. . . . and it will allow me to sew through 3/4 inch of dry leather. I have also used up to 410 thread in the thing. My other machine is a Singer 111W155, . . . which I have a total of about $450 invested in it. It is probably older than me (70), . . . but it does a beautiful job sewing everything I put through it. The problem with it is that it does not handle the heavier thread and has a much smaller bobbin than the Boss, . . . I'm going to do a belt for myself on the Singer one of these days soon, . . . but maybe someone else will chime in with their experiences on this or a similar machine. I was told I actually overpaid the original $300 for the machine, . . . but then again, . . . I was happy with it, . . . I added an electronically monitored motor that controls the speed pretty well, . . . but then added a 3 to 1 reduction pulley to slow it down further, . . . you could almost take a nap watching it sew now on its slowest speed. If you are near Toledo, Ohio, . . . there is a sewing machine shop there that can fix you up with several different models, . . . he's one of the advertisers on here. Others don't always share my opinion, . . . but FWIW, . . . if I had to hand sew double layer belts, . . . I'd probably find another line of work. May God bless, Dwight Edited June 2, 2015 by Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members OLDNSLOW Posted June 2, 2015 Members Report Posted June 2, 2015 Thanks Dwight, that is some of the type of info I am looking for, right now a grand would be a little out of reach for me but the singer would be. Thanks again and look forward to learning more here and didn't mean to jack the thread. Quote
rickybobby Posted June 7, 2015 Report Posted June 7, 2015 Thanks Dwight, that is some of the type of info I am looking for, right now a grand would be a little out of reach for me but the singer would be. Thanks again and look forward to learning more here and didn't mean to jack the thread. Hi OldNSlow, There are some folks that find hand stitching a relaxing and rewarding guilty pleasure. I have hand stitched a few belts (over 20 years ago) because it was all I had available to me. Like Dwight, my first machine was a Tippman Boss, I learned to adjust, lubricate, and run that thing like a champ (the lube part helps it run smoother) Learning to adjust it was trial and error. I would over tighten, under tighten and run stitches until I knew exactly what produced an acceptable stitch on any thickness leather I was working with. So many people just run a stitch and get on line and gripe about it and the machine. Tippman sends and excellent flyer on card stock paper that shows all the stitching problems and tells you how to correct them. It helps a bunch especially if you have never sewn anything before. I sold my Boss many years ago, and miss it once and a while. I now have an Artisan 3000 and a Cobra 4 and for lighter leathers a Cowboy 628 table flat bed machine. On some repairs and new builds (saddles) there is only one way to stitch a Cantle Binding or a Horn and that is by hand. The ability always comes in handy! As far as prices, look for used. Tippman Boss I have seen for as little as $750.00 (the market was soft on those for a while) to $1000.00 I paid $1600.00 for my Artisan 3000 used from Steve at Cobra (it was a trade in) 4 years ago. (prices may vary.) Your quality of work increases when you have a machine. You are more likely to keep a piece of work you spent 45 minutes hand stitching that maybe should have gone in the scrap bin as opposed to 2 minutes on a machine and tossing it aside and doing the project correctly (just my experience!). Hope this helps and best of luck, Rick Quote Rick
Members OLDNSLOW Posted June 7, 2015 Members Report Posted June 7, 2015 Yes Rick thanks for the input. Quote
Members Erystawi Posted June 12, 2015 Members Report Posted June 12, 2015 I have made a couple of double belt, the last one at 9mm (20oz I think) I do all hand sew. Here is a picture of the 9mm (and some can cozy). Eva Quote
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