Newbie To The Sewing Machine World. I Need Your Advice....

[leatherchica]

Howdy! I'm new to this site but have already found the knowledge of the collective group to be very helpful. Up to this point, I've hand stitched all of my items--never used or owned an industrial sewing machine. Due to a steady increase of orders and a pesky case of tendonitis, I'm looking to purchase a sewing machine to aid in production. I work with both chrome and veg tanned leather but won't be needing the machine for anything thicker than a total of 3/8" or 1/2" thick. Based on what I've read so far, I'm leaning toward a walking foot machine with a servo motor and speed reducer.

I'd love one that can do "everything" but know that's not how it works, so I'm looking for a reliable one (would use it daily) that can be used to sew leather portfolios, leather tote bags, and leather binders. See attached pictures for some examples of my items. I'm most concerned about whether the machine will be able to sew the middle piece of my binders as the stitch needs to be pretty close to the 3 ring metal piece and I'm not sure if this will be a problem (see pic). Any input on this??

I've been reading a lot of these threads and have seen the Consew 2-6rb-5 given several thumbs up.Based on the needs I've mentioned above, do you think the Consew would do the trick? Any other machines you'd recommend?

When I'm ready to pull the trigger, are there any suggestions on where to purchase? I've seen some members mention "dealers" on this site that help set up the machine(s) so it's specifically tweaked for leatherwork--are there specific individuals I should talk to about that? Any experiences (good or bad) with purchasing off of eBay or other online retailers? I don't have tons of time to spend troubleshooting a machine, so I need one that's reliable or at least one with good custom support in case I get in a jam.

ANY suggestions, advise, tips you can provide would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Uwe]

If you plan to sew bags, it might be good to have a cylinder arm machine, since it's much easier to sew 3-dimensional items on a cylinder arm, especially with stiff leather that can't turned inside-out easily.

For flat things like your portfolios and binders, a flat bed would be fine.

To get a two-for-one, flatbed table attachments are available for certain cylinder arm machines, so you can get the best of both worlds with just one machine:

As far sewing close to the edges of the metal binder inserts, that should not be a problem if you use one-sided presser feet (left or right-toed) like these:

The metal binder rings will have to point up as you sew, so the outside, very visible stitching will be the underside stitch. On many sewing machines the top stitch looks better than the bottom stitch. The bottom side is also often more prone to get marks from the feed dog or serrated needle plate, depending on which type of leather you use. I've sewn oil-tan leather tote bags on my Adler 205-370. Sewing the handles and attaching them in this single stitch line would have been very challenging on a flatbed machine:

[Uwe]

Sewing the binders may be trickier than I thought. I just tried it out on my Durkopp Adler 205-370 (a BIG machine, similar to the more affordable but similarly capable "441" class of sewing machine) sewing a regular vinyl/cardboard binder I had sitting around. Those metal rings really get in the way, lol. Getting the outside/bottom stitch line to look straight and pretty will take some practice!

Edited December 27, 2015 by Uwe

[leatherchica]

Uwe, thanks for your detailed response--super helpful! Yep, I figured that sewing around that binder piece would be a task!!

I had thought that the cylinder arm would be great for the bags but couldn't wrap my mind around sewing some of my other items on it without having the flatbed surround. Now that I know I can have both, I'm sold on that route

After looking at a few and now reading more threads on the cylinder machines with flatbed option, I'm looking at the cowboy CB227R and the Techsew 2700 Pro. Both have the servo motor and other specs that are in line with my needs. I'm thinking that the Techsew would do the trick but I'm stuck on one thing--it has an automatic needle positioning motor but no speed reducer. Is that a big deal? Everything I read says a speed reducer is essential for controlling the machine but I also saw someone post that with the needle positioning motor, a speed reducer wouldn't be needed. I'm ignorant as to how the two relate.

Any thoughts or suggestions?? Any experience with either of those machines?

I'm taking notes

[Uwe]

I've not owned either of the machines you mentioned, so I can't give first-hand advice on those other than I believe they're practically identical with different labels stuck on by the vendor.

Selecting the right sewing machine is a science and can be daunting. There's actually a separate forum called "Leather Sewing Machines" two steps down from this "Sewing Leather" forum in the same "Fabrication" group. That's where people discuss sewing machines and the relative merits all the time - you'll find plenty of advice, opinions, and the occasional rant there.

You can do a search on a specific model here in the forums and see what's already been said about those machines. Then post a new topic in the "Leather Sewing Machines" forum if you have specific questions.

The vendors in the banner ads are a good resource, too. They vary in how approachable and warm/fuzzy they are. Of course they'll want to sell their own machines, but in reality multiple vendors (not all) sell machines that come from the same factories in China, just with different paint and labels on them (your two machines are one example of twins separated in China or at the factory). The value the vendors add is quality control, setting them up, adjusting them and packaging them with table, motors, accessories to make them ready to sew. Shipping cost can be considerable, so keep in mind where a specific vendor is located.

There's only a dozen or so popular sewing machine in three or four groupings/classes you should consider (e.g. the flatbed machines Consew 225, Singer 111W155, and Juki 562 are nearly identical and belong to same "class"). The popular classes are well supported with cheap spare parts and lots of people who know how they work.

[Northmount]

I'd love one that can do "everything" but know that's not how it works, so I'm looking for a reliable one (would use it daily) that can be used to sew leather portfolios, leather tote bags, and leather binders. See attached pictures for some examples of my items. I'm most concerned about whether the machine will be able to sew the middle piece of my binders as the stitch needs to be pretty close to the 3 ring metal piece and I'm not sure if this will be a problem (see pic). Any input on this??

I have built the completer binder of leather with a stiffener between the outside and the lining leather. Then added the rings taken from a new binder. Trashed the vinyl cover completely. Then you can do all your sewing without the rings getting in the way. Here is another 3 ring binder thread.

Tom

PS, by the way I use a Techsew 2700. Had to add a speed reducer to it to go slow enough for me around the corners and stuff like that. I think a needle positioning system would work ok because you can go 1 stitch at a time when you need to. You can also hand-wheel to place the needle where you want it for stitch length adjustments for corners or such, then go from there.

[leatherchica]

Uwe,

Good grief, you can tell i'm new here. I guess I didn't scroll down far enough to see the "sewing machine" forum *slaps forehead with palm*

I'll stalk that forum for too!

I'm trying to do my homework and all the info can be a bit daunting. Eventually, I'll need to just make a decision and go with it.

Thanks again for taking time to share your knowledge with me. I truly appreciate it!!

[leatherchica]

Tom,

Great info in that binder thread--thanks!

How do you like your Techsew? I'm thinking about the 2700 Pro. I'm compiling my list of questions for the dealer and plan on calling them tomorrow. Would love to hear feedback from someone who has experience using one.

[Northmount]

How do you like your Techsew? I'm thinking about the 2700 Pro. I'm compiling my list of questions for the dealer and plan on calling them tomorrow. Would love to hear feedback from someone who has experience using one.

It's a great machine. My only problems have been my own making, like many users. Takes me a bit to get the correct tension when I switch threads between 60 and 138. But that's not the machine's problem. That is to be expected.

Drop down edge guide is a great addition. I added mine later.

Order a bunch of leather point needles with the machine. Then you won't have to re-order later and wait for them.

Tom

[Ferg]

I have a Consew 206RB5, a Seiko cylinder arm, and a vintage Singer Patcher.

I love my Consew flat bed and use it for most of my work. Couldn't do without the Seiko cylinder, it is not a favorite of mine but I am working at

using it more. Drop down edge guide on Seiko with straight as well as roller guides. I have several edge guides for the Consew. For me the edge guides are a must.

I think Neel's in about "Middle Ohio" or Industrial Machine in Toledo, Ohio are as close as you will get to a distributor for CowBoy machines.

I cannot comment on any of the others except to say they are definitely close to being the same machines.

You need to talk to the folks at each of the distributors you may be interested in and form an opinion based on the information you receive from each.

If it is impossible to visit any of them, send some scraps of the leather you most likely will be using to them informing same how you use it. Layers etc. Let them stitch your samples with at least two sizes of thread and what needles they use to be returned to you before making any decision.

Being comfortable with the company/companies you work with is at least half the battle.

Good luck,

ferg

[leatherchica]

Ferg,

Thanks for the input! The Consew 206RB5 is definitely on my list, so it's good to hear from someone who uses one.

Customer support is very important to me and will play a big role in my final decision. I've been compiling pros/cons and a list of questions for the dealers and will be calling them today. I know that there's no perfect machine but all the info I've received from people like yourself has helped me narrow down the choices to a few that will hopefully fit my needs.

So thankful for this group and those willing to share their knowledge and experiences