Hair-On Cowhide Sewing Machine

[Isla]

What is the best affordable sewing machine for leather and particularly hair-on cowhide?

[pcox]

not enough info. how thick, what are you making, what do you consider affordable etc

[DrmCa]

Hair on does not stitch easily, the more hair the harder.

Right now I am making a winter hat from sheep skin and had to sheer along the seams to prevent excessive movement of the parts.

Generally, a walking foot cylinder bed machine would allow you to hold the parts very close to the needle to prevent movement of one against another.

Depending on your leather weight you may or may not get away with a shoe patcher.

Edited November 11, 2015 by DrmCa

[Isla]

I make handbags. Mostly by hand. There are a lot more things I could do a lot faster with a machine. If I knew how to attach a picture I could give an example but you could look at my Facebook page. Louisiana Dawn. I appreciate suggestions. $1500.00 max?

[Colt W Knight]

I think you will want a cylinder arm walking foot machine like this consew 227

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/161772125923?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

I have the flat bed version of this machine and it performs great, but I wish it was a cylinder arm to make sewing bags and things much easier.

Your 1500$ is close to the cost of a new "clone" machine, and you should be able to a solid used machine for 800-1200$ if you look hard and long enough.

Common leather clone machines are Cowboy, Techsew, and Cobra.

Edited November 11, 2015 by Colt W Knight

[Isla]

Thanks. What do you mean by "clone" machine?

[Isla]

Thanks to all suggestions ! Gives me a place to start looking. I should have asked for ease of use as well but there's got to be a learning curve somewhere.

[TinkerTailor]

Thanks. What do you mean by "clone" machine?

Most of the machines people use for leather work on this site are clones of machines made by companies like Juki, Pfaff, Singer, Adler etc. Many of the models are no longer available new. Good used ones command a premium (unless you are persistant, patient AND lucky), They are sometimes double the price of a new clone. I have seen used juki 441's for 4 and 5 grand. Well equipped clones start around 2500 bucks. Many have new counterparts with computers and built in navigation systems, and HUGE price tags to match ($10,000+ for a juki tsc-441). Btw, the real ones usually come with no accessories aside from what is bolted on the machine, and factory parts (if you can get them) range from just expensive to send in your first born carrying your arm and a leg expensive...

There are several quality levels of clones. Tread really lightly on ebay.

At the top of the screen are banner ads from clone sellers who many have had great experiences with because they service and support the machines, and they go over them to make sure they are good.

There are a few(whole bunch) of threads about buying a machine and which one to choose for which purpose.

Hair on hide only leads to one question, do you need a fur sewing machine? Probably not. I would avoid them if you can, This is a whole other catagory of sewing machine and is really a disappearing art.

This then leaves any leather walking foot machine suitable depending on material weight and end product construction. Blanket feet (wider bigger, sometimes with teeth) can help control slippage of material when using sheepskin, furs, and felt etc.., so then it is only a question of what weight of hides do you see yourself working with? A flatbed is fine for most, however for bags a cylinder arm is handy, as it can be converted into a flatbed relatively easily, and some come with the attachment.

[oltoot]

As TT says steer away from fur machines as fur is a lot different than hair. Sewing hair is about preparing the project. If you are going to be sewing the hair from the flesh side, something like the Consew 227 should never even hiccup.

[Isla]

Ok I think y'all have been a tremendous help to me. I agree I don't need a "fur" machine. I'd rather buy from a dealer than eBay because I think that they are more likely to be available to answer probably some dumb questions. Thanks a bunch! (This is great. I'm sure I will be asking more sooner than later).

[Colt W Knight]

The link I provided is actually a used machine being sold by one of the leatherworker.net forum vendors.

[Isla]

Thanks Colt.