And you think industrial sewing machines are expensive

[Techsew Ron]

11 hours ago, graywolf said:

I think my point was that a machine that makes you money, is actually free..

But, a hobby machine is expensive. 

Well said. And a hobby very often turns into a small business within 12-18 months of purchasing a machine.

[Colt W Knight]

I bought a used Con sew 206rb-1, and I was able to pay it off in less than a month making guitar straps and padfolios. It use to take me 5 hours of work to handsew a padfolio, and my hands would hurt for days. I can see a padfolio in 5 minutes now. Guitar straps in just a few minutes. Can't wait til I can order the big cowboy 4500. I want to use bigger thread

Edited July 18, 2016 by Colt W Knight

[CowboyBob]

Hey Colt we'll keep one ready for ya!

We had a customer that makes holsters & belts tell that the machine paid for itself in less than 3-months & he's had it now for over 3 yrs.

[Darren Brosowski]

It amazes me that people think a sewing machine that makes an income is too expensive when they are happy to borrow $35k or more to buy a car that looks pretty and does nothing but lose value and provide no income

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

16 minutes ago, Darren Brosowski said:

It amazes me that people think a sewing machine that makes an income is too expensive when they are happy to borrow $35k or more to buy a car that looks pretty and does nothing but lose value and provide no income

BINGO!! Or they drive up in a 60K pickup pulling a 50K trailer with a 30K barrel horse in it, but want an $800 saddle

[MADMAX22]

 

13 hours ago, Darren Brosowski said:

It amazes me that people think a sewing machine that makes an income is too expensive when they are happy to borrow $35k or more to buy a car that looks pretty and does nothing but lose value and provide no income

So a sewing machine that "could" make you money should be $35k? Not all of us drive 35k cars or 60k trucks. To me $2000 is a lot of money as I am sure it is to some of you.

 

 

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

On 7/17/2016 at 2:25 PM, Tejas said:

Cordes sewing machines made in Australia might be the most expensive -- six figures I was told -- I've seen in operation. Here is a video showing four-point, three-step zig-zag. The rotating disk on top of the arm is a cam that is machined internally to provide the zig-zag cam surface, and that alone probably costs more than most otherwise expensive sewing machines.

 

In my 'other life' aside from the leather trade, we focus heavy on boat sail and repair sewing equipment.  We've had this machine here for sale, service, and we support it as well.  Here is a new Mini Maxi we brought in direct from John Cordes in Australia and sold new, I did the Efka DC1550 motor install and all of the electronics as this machine shipped to us sans motor.  I don't want to dig  into numbers, as they can fluctuate along with the money conversions at the time, but as a point of reference this machine here sold new for under $20,000.  John does sell and ever larger machine that sells for under lets say $40,000, but nothing more expensive than that.  The machine is essentially hand made, the quality is excellent, and the machine works.  People who know sewing equipment and see this thing coming can only stand in awe.  It's a real conversation piece when we have one around here.

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

6 hours ago, MADMAX22 said:

 

So a sewing machine that "could" make you money should be $35k? Not all of us drive 35k cars or 60k trucks. To me $2000 is a lot of money as I am sure it is to some of you.

 

 

It's relative to the work you are doing; if you are pumping out high end racing sails, let's just say you can't do it with a $2,000 walking foot, even a good one!  

[Tulsaman]

My shop's largest machine is a Juki 1510-7  amazing over the 563's 111's etc. I know a large Awing company that won't buy a 1510-7 ..still uses a 563.. Fancy new truck tho... for the amount of sewing inches or miles we do in a year it's a wast to use no less then a lu1510-7 type for our Canvas,Upholstery,Leather Garment type work. 

  I wanted to up to the new M series Adlers ..they are $6000 now.. couldn't see it being my 10 yr old Juki would only be worth $1800 if that... Nice machine thou that M series..

[mikekratz]

I too am a Sailmaker for Doyle sailmakers and speak with John Cordes often. We have a Cordes machine at the shop in Ft Lauderdale and it's a dream to sew on. We also have a HighTex sailmaster and a ton of others in the group.