Cylinder-arm sewing machine

[Mockingbird]

I'm looking to buy my first leather sewing machine to make small goods, bags, wallets etc. 

What should I be looking for? From some initial research keywords such as walking foot, cylinder-arm, servo motor, 135x17 needles popped up.

Anything essential for leatherwork?

I'm also willing to import the machine from China.  

 

[RockyAussie]

First question is what thread size would you like to be able to go up to on top and bottom?

2nd question is are you wanting high production?

3 what is the thickest material/leather you want to stitch?

[Mockingbird]

1. I'd like to keep thread size small. For hand stitching I'm mainly using 0.6mm thread at 3mm stitch length. 

2. Yes high production. 

3. Thickest leather glued together around 6mm. 

I've been looking into pfaff 335. Any good alternatives? 

[brmax]

Theres no need to import honestly, we have professionals on the site here that are the actual dealers around the world. There are some ads above if you have pop ups turned on for this site, and many others that frequent to help technically. The 135-17 needle mentioned is a clasification they somehow refer to as ( system ). This is considered canvas, upholstery, light and some medium leather. These items are running a 69-138 thread size.  

The bigger threads used for looks or serious belting, holsters and saddle type goods are used in a bigger machine with a bigger needle (system) maybe a 794. 

This is a short refference i mentioned, so looking just above in this sew machine area the articles cannot be better explained so welcome to the site and when ya get a chance have a look.

good day

Floyd

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, Mockingbird said:

1. I'd like to keep thread size small. For hand stitching I'm mainly using 0.6mm thread at 3mm stitch length. 

2. Yes high production. 

3. Thickest leather glued together around 6mm. 

I've been looking into pfaff 335. Any good alternatives? 

The Pfaff 335 is an excellent machine for this work. I have one myself. Given where you are though I would think first about the Seiko as in this link.http://www.seiko-sewing.co.jp/en/products/lscseries/

Consider for high production the larger bobbin/hook size.

From a quality point it would be also be at the top and service would be very easy I think.Showing support for the country your in can be of advertising benefit as well.

[RockyAussie]

Forgot to mention that for high production and that type of work a needle positioning system would help a lot while you learn and speeds production a lot while helping to keep the quality high.

[Uwe]

If I were living in Japan, I'd look for a nice Juki LS-341/1341 or any of the other highly regarded made-in-Japan brands. Just like there a plenty of used Pfaffs and Adlers around in Germany, it seems there should be a good number of used Juki machines available in Japan. Maybe Juki has a factory outlet?

 

[shoepatcher]

Juki 245 and 246 are the equivalent to a Pfaff 335 and they are made in Japan or in China for Juki.  Should be cheaper than a Pfaff 335.

glenn

[brmax]

https://www.export.gov/article?id=Japan-Import-Requirements-and-Documentation

 

https://geo.craigslist.org/iso/jp

good day

Floyd

[oldtimer]

A Cobra class 26 is the clone of a JUKI 341, a better choice than  a 335, IMHO