Juki DDL 555-5 for dog collars and canvas gear

[TeriYool]

Let me start by saying this group is an absolute gold mine of information!  Thanks so much for being here!  I have spent days reading posts and following links and sponging up so much!

I make dog collars, leashes, harnesses, and simple gear like poop bag pouches, treat pouches, and the like. Leashes are pretty heavy and I sew them by hand (never knew there was such a thing as a stitch pony, that may save my life!) or magic braid with or without a rivet. Pull harnesses (freight or X-back) are seatbelt nylon or webbing for the little guys, and canvas, rip-stop, or poplin for the pouches. I make the collars from leather and have done magic braid and some rivets and hand stitching but mostly a pfaff 300 which I have worked to death. I have a nice machine for fabric and even a Husquvarna surger for special order dog clothes (eeew but people ask).  

I have tuition to pay so not a lot of cash (getting my master's in special education for the visually impaired) which leaves me NOT making detailed collars, buying another OLD time machine that I will burn up that doesn't produce the quality I would like, or picking up an old Juki 555-5. The ad states 'I have a industrial Juki DDL 555-5 sewing machine with table and computer controlled back tack unit. It is a 210 machine and includes phase adapter for household 210. Will also include 5'X5' fabrication table.'

Will the Juki do the trick (with a rolling foot kit I found on eBay for $20) for a year or two until I can save up for a nice walking foot machine?

Any tricks or suggestions for the Pfaff or Juki?

Thanks tons!

Also- any links for a stitch pony or horse pattern/directions?

TY

[CowboyBob]

No,it won't you need a Juki 562,563,Consew206, 225,226,Singer 111w155,154,153 will all do it much better than a garment machine.

 

[TeriYool]

Available in my area and price range are: Mitsubishi LS2-180, Consew 206 RB-4 (really pushing the $$ limit), Singer 660 A203, and a Seiko STH-8BLD-3 (out of price range but I could sell my RV).  Everything else is thousands out of my range or a thousand miles away. 

The 206 is on the get it list, thank you Bob, but for that kind of money it would have to be fabulous for many years.  Is it a 2-3 year machine or until arthritis makes leatherwork impossible machine?

TY

Edited August 10, 2016 by TeriYool
Clarification

[AEMcClain]

A well cared for 206RB will last for decades. Keep it oiled and I doubt a small scale sewer could wear one out.

[dikman]

If it were me the Seiko would be first, if I had the money, however I'd have no qualms about the 206 as long as it's in good working condition. They're based on the Singer 111 series so bits and pieces (feet, bobbins etc) shouldn't be too hard to find. And old Singers just keep going...and going...and going...

[Colt W Knight]

The 206 is mean, lean sewing machine. Love mine. It's 3-4 decades old now and still sewing like a champ

[TeriYool]

Thanks for the input!!!!

[TeriYool]

206 rb1 is available for $1200.  I missed out on the rb4 trying to come up with the cash.  Opinions?  Suggestions?  What questions should I be asking?

[AEMcClain]

I personally would pass for 1200. For a couple hundred more you can get a brand new one. 600-800 max is what I would pay.

[MADMAX22]

Unfortunately craigslisters now seem to use ebay as a pricing structure then wonder why there machines dont move. In my area the 206s,1245s,145s all go for around $1000-1500 and most of the time they sit there for a long time as well or they finally take a offer. Ive only scene a couple of these machines I would pay that money for but they were nice looking machines and not used in industrial environment.