Keebz Report post Posted July 5, 2015 Hi I was wondering if some experienced leather workers could help me out with some advice. I want to get a machine for garments and bags/wallets. A local upholstery shop is being liquidated and are selling off all kinds of equipment machines fabrics etc... Here are some models and prices. Are any a good deal and will do my type of work Brother DB2-B737 $495.00 Juki DDL-555 $195 W&G 515-ETS32 $450.00 Brother LT2-B835. $495 Juki DLN 5410-6 $795 Con sew 206RB-5. $850 Singer. 211A. $1250 Juki LV563. $750 Brother LS2-B837. $750 They have more too many to list over 100 machines for sale... Says maybe be able to haggle prices some. Thanks for any advice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted July 5, 2015 Check out the Consew 206RB-5 and the Juki LU-563. Those will be the best for medium duty leather sewing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keebz Report post Posted July 5, 2015 Do the prices sound good? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted July 5, 2015 The prices are typical for reconditioned walking foot machines. Are these machines worn out, or have they been serviced? If they are as is, offer about 1/3rd less, knowing in advance that you may have to replace the motor and belt to control the machine for leather use. Why? Because upholstery machines are normally geared 1:1 or faster and the motors are usually 1725 rpm clutch motors. Commercial upholstery sewing is typically done on long straight edges, often many feet long. Time is money in upholstery. So, they sew their machines pedal to the metal. If you are going to sew intricate leather goods, slow does it better. A servo motor will be easier to control than a clutch motor. Whatever the machine costs, if it has a clutch motor, you'll be paying another $130 or more for a new servo motor and shorter vbelt. Try to get a motor equipped with a 2" pulley. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keebz Report post Posted July 5, 2015 Thanks very much for sharing your wisdom. I haven't seen the machines yet because I just found out about the liquidation today. It says most machines could be tested before purchasing. I have to call Monday and set up a time to come and check some things out that they have. I don't know much about the machines so I'm gonna be reading up on all I can to make sure they are in good condition before purchasing. Again thank you very much. I made the mistake of buying a "industrial machine" off eBay and I do not want to make that same mistake again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted July 5, 2015 I have a consew 206 that does a great job with leather up to about 3/8" thick using #138 thread. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paprhangr Report post Posted July 5, 2015 me too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted July 5, 2015 Thanks very much for sharing your wisdom. I haven't seen the machines yet because I just found out about the liquidation today. It says most machines could be tested before purchasing. I have to call Monday and set up a time to come and check some things out that they have. I don't know much about the machines so I'm gonna be reading up on all I can to make sure they are in good condition before purchasing. Again thank you very much. I made the mistake of buying a "industrial machine" off eBay and I do not want to make that same mistake again Concentrate your search on manually oiled compound feed walking foot machines (feed dog, needle and inside foot move together as outside foot goes up and down). The others are high speed cloth sewing machines not at all meant for leather or slow sewing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keebz Report post Posted July 5, 2015 Would a consew 227 be a better buy, asking $950 but says all offers welcome. They have servo motors for $125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted July 6, 2015 Would a consew 227 be a better buy, asking $950 but says all offers welcome. They have servo motors for $125 I believe that is essentially the same as a 206, but with a cylinder arm. Cylinder arms would be very handy for bags and sewing tight areas. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keebz Report post Posted July 6, 2015 is the price reasonable? What should I offer if it's in good shape? Is there any things I should really pay attention to when I go to test it out? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted July 6, 2015 The used market on sewing machines is completely dependant on availability. Industrial leather machines are so heavy, no one wants to ship used machines. So local supply and demand determines price. I watched the local classifieds for months and months before I found a good deal. Most folks wanted almost new prices for used machines here. I watched the ads daily. So when one popped up, I called first and bought it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gump Report post Posted July 6, 2015 If the 227 has reverse, it would be more versatile than a flatbed machine. You can always make a plywood flatbed attachment if needed. I use my cylinder arm machine more than twice as often as my flatbed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keebz Report post Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) Thanks, I'm trying to set up a time and date to go and look at the machines. What should I be looking for mechanical wise to make sure the machine is in good shape and not worn out Does the R on the end of consew 227r mean it has reverse Edited July 6, 2015 by Keebz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted July 6, 2015 Yes,r means reverse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keebz Report post Posted July 7, 2015 I don't know much about machines, what should I look for to see if the machine is in good shape or that I maybe seen its day? I really appreciate everyone who has responded and helped me out. Again thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keebz Report post Posted July 7, 2015 I got a time setup to go check the machines out tomorrow, it's 3 hours there and back. He said he could have a new servo motor put on the consew227r and let me get it for $850. I just hope I have learned enough to know what to look for as far as the machine being in good condition. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
