Singer sewing machine

[LeatherWorthy]

So I was on one of the facebook yard sale sites and stumbled upon a Singer Model 337 sewing machine in the table. Its really cheap, but I don't want to get it if its not what I am going to need. Has anyone had any experience with them? I know Im not gonna be able to sew two layers of 10/11 oz leather with it, but maybe for smaller things? You guys are a wealth of knowledge, so I figured Id ask before I picked it up. Thanks in advance!

[Uwe]

If it's a Singer 337 like in the video below I don't think it'll be happy sewing two layers of 10oz. leather. It's a nice domestic garment sewing machine perhaps, but not a leather sewing machine.

 

Edited November 22, 2016 by Uwe

[Wizcrafts]

I have a domestic machine like that one in my leather shop. Even after tweaking it I could barely get it to sew 6 ounces of apron suede with a #18 leather point needle and #69 bonded thread. Plus, it needs to be hand wheeled to start sewing into suede. Veg tan of the same thickness would be even harder for it to penetrate and hold down.

I recondition and sell old iron Singer domestic machines as a side business. The only ones that I've had and sold with confidence to people wanting to sew leather were a Model 27 and a Model 128. These machines from the turn of the 20th Century have bullet shuttles and long cylindrical bobbins. They can handle up to #92 bonded thread, if you can locate #19 or 20 leather point needles. Otherwise, they easily sew 9-10 ounces of bridle leather with a #18 needle and #69 bonded thread. Having a very large handwheel helps them punch through the leather much easier than smaller wheel models. Plus, they were able to sew 5 to the inch at 10 ounces.

Anyone needed to sew over that will need to buy an industrial (preferably walking foot) sewing machine that was built strong enough to sew leather. This leaves out all of the straight stitch tailoring machines (I have a 31-15 and previously had a 96k40 and know their limitations).

[LeatherWorthy]

Thank you guys for your input! 

I kind of figured that would be the case, but for $20.00, I figured it was going to be too good to be true. Im currently eyeing a Cowboy CB3200. I still hand punch and hand stitch everything, and I have some people wanting me to do belts and holsters. I didnt want to hand sew the belts, especially since they are going to be for EDC. 

[Wizcrafts]

46 minutes ago, LeatherWorthy said:

Thank you guys for your input! 

I kind of figured that would be the case, but for $20.00, I figured it was going to be too good to be true. Im currently eyeing a Cowboy CB3200. I still hand punch and hand stitch everything, and I have some people wanting me to do belts and holsters. I didnt want to hand sew the belts, especially since they are going to be for EDC. 

I would consider the CB3200 an excellent machine for sewing leather belts and holsters. It can actually sew 1/2 inch with very heavy thread that is way beyond the capacity of a walking foot upholstery machine.