I may be the only person who hates Hawaii...

[RGardner]

Well, I am new to this leatherworking game, but already I'm finding terrible snags, and it's all because of paradise. Stupid, beautiful Oahu.   I know I should feel lucky to be stationed on this lush island of green, flowery beauty, but most of the time it's just been an impedance to anything that I've wanted to do besides beaches and surfing. I've got leather to sew, people! Get out of my way!! 

So, here's the heart of my post; I would like to buy a used consew 206-rb-x, Juki, cowboy, etc (triple feed / compound walking foot) that would help me make some items for my unit as going away gifts like leather 9 mil holsters, leather dopp kits, belts and canvas aviation pubs bags with leather bottoms.  I have about 1200 to spend (sadly, including shipping).  I know in the grand scheme of things it's not a ton of money to spend, but I'm hoping it will get me something quality that I can use for years to come.  Would any of you have some good suggestions on what to buy with my limited budget and isolated location? I have called every local sewing repair shop, supply store, craigslist, etc and they all say the same thing: "There's just no leather sewing machines for sale on this island". Bummer.  I already realize that I'm going to be paying a higher cost for everything, but does anyone have any other ideas on avenues I might take to get something that would work for this purpose? I would greatly appreciate any info or help. 

Also, If you'd like some pineapple, let me know. They seem to have some to spare.

 

Thanks so much!

RGardner

[mikesc]

Anyone there repairs parachutes or sails ?..( some of them used to use walking foot lock stitchers , not just zig zag machines ) some of the most often referenced manuals for walking foot machines were from the parachute units of the USA military..might be one under a tarp somewhere..I think holsters would be a bit too much for one of the old ones ( thinking Singer111 or Singer 211 ) , But others who have sewn ( or who currently sew ) holsters will be far better than I to advise on machines that can sew the usual holster thickness ( also you'd have more chance finding an old "flat bed" than a cylinder arm machine, and a cylinder arm machine is what most sew holsters on ) ..as to the location, you are very lucky :)

Another thought, somebody there must do the repairs on leather jackets, and other leather items, ( I know that people in Hawaii sometimes wear leather, I have seen it on 5-O which we can get in English on French TV ;) they'd normally use a compound feed machine, or "patcher" , the latter is not ideal for what you want, but ...

Edited August 18, 2016 by mikesc

[RGardner]

Awesome ideas! I'll get to calling around again, I think there's a shoe repair guy on island if it hasn't gone out of business.  Do you think that something that sews sails would be equivalent and good for thick leather? I was actually thinking of asking our Aviation life support guy if he knows of a sewing machine or finding out which one we use here in house. We do mostly canvas repairs, but maybe they actually do some work on thicker webbing of our vests... Maybe I could just use that in my off time.... This is actually a great thought, thanks Mike!

[bikermutt07]

Could maybe check the other islands? Total guess.

[mikesc]

Most sail makers machines ( I have a friend, about 5kms from me, who make sails for the really big yachts and racing yachts and tri-marins etc ) are zig zag (" one step" or "three step" with various feed systems, but not many with true compound feed..What you need is not so much a "normal" sail makers machine as a compound feed ( walking foot and needle feed ) machine..some sail makers use them to make the huge bags that the sails are stored in, or to sew the multi layer reinforcement areas on sails..so you may get lucky..
Smaller sail makers ( people who make or repair the hang glider type "wings", or the sailboard size sails etc ) often have machines that can do both straight and zig zag stitches, but usually these are bottom feed only ( you need "compound feed" )..I just got one of these "straight line and zig zag" machines last weekend..Singer20U33..could be used to sew light weight garment leather, ( I'm wanting it for the Freehand embroidery that it can do ) but no thicker..not bags and belts..it is nowhere near as solid as my Singer 211 or my Juki, or even my 29K51 patcher, but it is way more solid than any domestic machine..

You need a compound machine first for leather, but if during your searches, you come across an industrial zig zag machine, and you've already got your compound feed machine, pick up the zig zag machine too if it isn't to much..avoid Pfaff or Adler, great machines..but spare parts are soooooo expensive for them, so, unless they are in perfect working order with all the feet and attachments that you need, pass those two brands up..

Costume makers and similar is another kind of place you could try for a compound feed machine, theatres ( not the movie type; )..clubs with a lot of dancers, ( some make and repair their own costumes ) places that supply / fix leather goods for horse riding..anyone who works with a lot of canvas, tent materials, places that make beach parasols, or awnings, ( especially the people who make "customized versions" or who make exhibition tents or awnings or beach umbrellas / parasols for hotels etc,they all may have a compound feed machine that they might sell you..any S&M bars or clubs ? do they have all their gear shipped in, or is some made on the Island, if so, they will have a compound feed machine ( or if you are lucky maybe a spare one ) to make the cuffs, clothes and restraints with..

A little "outside the box" thinking in those suggestions, and examples of some of the businesses, etc that I have seen compound feed machines used in..

HTH :)

03.30 here ATM, so I'll look in on the thread later in the day, good luck, others will be along to add their ideas..

[RGardner]

Once again, Mike, this was excellent information.  Even though it didn't end up in finding a machine, I talked to a very nice guy who owned a sail shop and he offered to let me come and see all their machines. He didn't have anything to sell, but he was pretty open to talking about the machines in depth. Honestly, that was pretty unexpected as I know he has a shop to run, but I intend on taking him up on the offer this weekend. Even if I do end up having to wait a few months in order to save up some more money for shipping, at least I will have more information about the machine I intend to purchase. Unfortunately, even he doesn't buy or have his machines serviced on the island.  Apparently this is a very difficult place to find things that aren't related to the tourism industry. I won't stop trying though.  Also, our ALS shop fell through.They just use a basic machine to do all their work. I'll check around to the horse riding clubs because, believe it or not, I once played polo for a 25th Infantry Division here on Oahu. I never would have thought of that, and it's another great idea.    Seems like the biggest issue is that most things are just shipped here, and there's not a lot that is actually made here.  I know that some of the locals are boastful of living here for years not because it's beautiful and wonderful, but because it is really difficult and isolating to live years and years on an island. 

Edited August 18, 2016 by RGardner

[RGardner]

I looked around at some of the other islands, and unfortunately they might as well be the mainland for as much as shipping will cost. Recently, they upped the price of flights between islands and a civilian ticket is going to be dam near 300 dollars.  I could maybe fly it myself but I don't think I'd ever live that one down. "You landed at Maui to pick up a sewing machine?!"

[bikermutt07]

HA!

[dikman]

In the meantime, have you tried hand stitching? Some of the items you mentioned are relatively small, so could be hand stitched, plus you can then say that they are handsewn (which, in my experience, inevitably impresses people no end ). I mainly use my machines for long runs around belt edges or long decorative stitching on belts. For everything else I'm doing (so far) I hand stitch. Mainly because I always seem to want to make "odd" things that don't lend themselves to machine sewing.

[graywolf]

11 hours ago, dikman said:

In the meantime, have you tried hand stitching?

And, you can get all you need to do that for $50 or so. And it can be shipped Priority Mail, except maybe the stitching pony. If you have a wood working hobby shop on base, you easily could make your own pony,

Edited August 18, 2016 by graywolf

[Colt W Knight]

Check into the Consew 1206rb which is very similar to the consew 206RB, it's just a more economically minded version. I believe about 800$, leaving room to ship out. 

[graywolf]

$800? I would like to know where. I know of several places that will sell you one for $1000-$1200. I guess you could get a "head only" for $800, but he needs a whole working sewing machine.

Also Hawaii is sea or air freight, I doubt he is going to get it there for less than $400, but I could be wrong on that. Also, if he has a problem with the machine it is going to cost him an insane amount just to have it replaced, so he ought to consider it as being without warrantee.

But people in Alaska have about the same kind of problems.

One of the things he should think about is that he probably would have no problem selling it for big bucks when he leaves, if he finds a buyer in advance.

[Colt W Knight]

Oh yeah, looks like they went up since last time I priced them.

Bob at Toledo Sewing in Ohio sells for 995 plus shipping.