Thoughts On These Machines?

[dikman]

I've been looking at used machines (suitable used industrial types are not common here) and came across these -

Consew 210B

Singer 331K116

Singer 302W201

None are walking foot, unfortunately, and I suspect the Consew isn't suitable for anything but lightweight leather.

The Singer 302 is a dual needle chainstitch, which the seller says can be used as a single stitch, with the advantage that it doesn't use a bobbin (continuous lower thread feed, which certainly sounds attractive).

So I guess my question is - are either of the Singers suitable for reasonably heavy leather (as in holsters)?

I suspect the answer is no?

[Wizcrafts]

No

[dikman]

Thanks cobber, guess I'll keep looking.

[Art]

Your suspicions are correct Watson, they are not.

Art

[JLSleather]

Where's that guy? Isn't there a feller comes round here from down under, sells / services machines?

[Wizcrafts]

We have at least two members in Oz who sell and service industrial sewing machines. Darren Brosowski is one. His store is or was called Ann Bonny's Locker. Then, there are members Jim Saddler and SingerMania down under.

Edited August 28, 2015 by Wizcrafts

[dikman]

When I say "here", I'm referring to my state, South Australia. There are certainly various suitable units for sale second-hand, but they're all interstate (East coast, where the population density is significantly higher). I had a Singer 144W103 lined up locally, but unbeknown to me the seller sold it to someone else and didn't have the decency to let me know, even though I was the first to express interest. Their loss, I would have paid more than their asking price.

I'll keep looking, there's no real hurry as I have my 51W59 (which may handle 138 thread, now that I've slowed it right down) and for the heavy stuff I'll continue to hand stitch.

[Darren Brosowski]

Hi Dikman,

I do not believe that there are any specialist dealers in SA.

Being in NSW I am probably the closest Cowboy dealer but Steve - Singermadia - is my business partner in Bundaberg, and NO he does not ship a case of Bundy rum with each machine.

Email me darren@ablesewing.com.au

I will not sell you a machine unless I believe it will cover the majority of your work

[dikman]

Thanks Darren, the problem is that I can't justify a new machine as this is purely a hobby for me (with little prospect, or intention, of making any money from it!). There is a dealer in Adelaide who specialises in industrial machines, but I was quoted $2800 (and he said that was a heavily discounted price) on a new cylinder arm walking foot - brand was Protex, or something like that. My only hope is to keep looking and hopefully an older machine will turn up at some point.

I'm actually quite happy hand stitching my stuff, but I just like having "new" toys to play with!!!

[25b]

Yeah, unfortunately your intended use of it doesn't change the selling price at all. I always laugh when I see people come on here and go, "hey......I 'need' to buy x machine, but I'm only doing this as a hobby and don't have enough money (or don't feel like paying what they're really worth) to buy one. So someone sell me one for $50." ...or some other giveaway price. That always amuses me. Oh, and before you get mad, I'm not saying you are doing that. I'm commenting on all the countless others I see post things like that.

I'm sure many "professional" leather people don't have the funds to buy machines like that either. The difference is they don't normally post like that...they'll just save their pennies while laying off the beer and pizza and eat ramen for a while until they can buy it.

[DrmCa]

I would not try to patronize the members here and lecture them about their buying and posting habits, but that's just me.

Considering that 2 of my perfectly running industrial machines literally came from the roadside on a garbage day, I know it is possible to find a good used machine cheap, as they often simply become an unwanted liability when the owners retire/quit business/move on. These are often picked up by the scavengers and re-sold to the machine dealers who re-sell them when a right customer comes along, so looking around when one has time to wait may yield a cheap machine. Sometimes posting a wanted ad at the grocery store or a local classified paper works.

Edited September 2, 2015 by DrmCa

[25b]

I would not try to patronize the members here and lecture them about their buying and posting habits, but that's just me.

Yeah, see this is a public forum so everyone is able to post replies here, whether you agree with them or not. That's how it works. If their feelings get hurt, then instead of posting publicly, maybe they ought to send emails to themselves. You'll also note I was not posting directly about any one particular person, as I stated in that post. It could be about anyone or no one....but mostly it's about people that post ridiculous posts like that. (Not that anyone in this thread has done that......)

I didn't say anything rude or anything like that, so I don't get what your problem is. Can't really say I actually care though...

Oh, and yes, you can "find" cheap machines. There is a big difference between finding one in the "garbage" and coming onto a public forum and telling a sob story about being a hobbyist and someone here please sell me one cheap, ok? BIG difference.

Edited September 2, 2015 by 25b

[LumpenDoodle2]

I'm curious, why would you send an email to yourself.

Anyhoo, keep looking, something will turn up, and the odd 'wanted' add might just encourage someone to sell you a machine at a decent price. I have a lovely sewing machine and cabinet I got dirt cheap because the deceased owner's sister was happy to see it going to a good home.

[25b]

I'm curious, why would you send an email to yourself.

I was joking about people getting their feelings hurt after they post on a public forum because they don't care for some of the replies they get. Good way to prevent that is to send emails to yourself......i.e. NOT posting on a public forum.

[LumpenDoodle2]

Ooookaaay..............

[LumpenDoodle2]

I'm sorry 25b, could you resend that last PM. You seem to have put me on your 'not like' list before I could finish reading it, so, not quite sure what happened there.

[dikman]

As it's only a hobby, I can't see the point in spending such a large amount on a machine that, if I'm honest with myself, I will only use occasionally. I'm more than happy to wait and see if something used (or old and needs some work, which would suit me fine) turns up. In the meantime not having such a machine won't impact on my leatherwork, it would just be the icing on the cake.

The sage advice from members here has at least stopped me from buying something that wouldn't have been suitable, and I now understand exactly what a walking foot machine is and what it can do.

Also, 25B is right in that a professional wouldn't mess around but would just buy one (or two or three), as they would get the use from it.

[Colt W Knight]

I waited for almost a year before I found an affordable used machine. They pop up, but not frequently.Once you have a machine, you realize they are worth it!