Best machine for sewing 20-24 ounce

[T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery]

Looking for ideas on which machine for sewing 2 - 3 layers of 10-12 ounce    I would prefer a older machine if possible 

[Rockoboy]

How about a nail gun, or a cordless drill and pop rivets? That is some HUUUGE job you have going on there! What are you making?

Edited May 5, 2017 by Rockoboy
mistake

[T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery]

Reins and actually that's what everybody uses 

Its not 1/2"

Edited May 5, 2017 by T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery

[Wizcrafts]

A Cowboy CB4500, Cobra Class 4, Techsew 5100, Union Lockstitch, Campbell Lockstitch, Juki TSC-441, Adler 205-374, or Adler 969 ECO will easily sew 36 ounces of veg-tan leather. I own a CB4500 and have managed to sew just under one inch of compressed leather. It was closer to a solid 7/8 inch actually. These machines can sew over 3/4 inch with thread sizes  up to #415 bonded thread.

Just now, T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery said:

Reins and actually that's what everybody uses 

Any one of the machines I listed will do a fine job on reins and tug straps, as well as saddles in general.

[T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery]

I was hoping to find something that tge reins would be tge upper end of sewing. I have a pearson #6 that I sew all tge heavier sewing 

[Wizcrafts]

If you are looking for an old used machine, a Pearson or Landis can handle the task. Then there are the out of production modern era machines, like the Number 9, the Luberto Classic, Ferdinand Bull and Tippmann Aero.

3 minutes ago, T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery said:

I was hoping to find something that tge reins would be tge upper end of sewing. I have a pearson #6 that I sew all tge heavier sewing 

Oh, sorry. Then, I think that the next step down would be a CB3200, which sews up to 1/2 inch, with compound feed and a smooth feed dog.

[Wizcrafts]

There is also the CB2500, aka GA5-1 something machines that are based upon the ancient Singer 45k machines. Adler made a similar machine called the 105. These machines are bottom feeders that can sew about 7/16 inch, with #346 thread. They have aggressive teeth on the feeder and will leave marks on the bottom layer.

[T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery]

Are those 3200 machines good for a lot of use without troubles or are they temperamental 

[T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery]

I am completely happy with my Using my pearson #6 but after 30 or so pairs of doubled and stitched reins Im looking for a powered machine that might be a little faster

[Wizcrafts]

7 hours ago, T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery said:

I am completely happy with my Using my pearson #6 but after 30 or so pairs of doubled and stitched reins Im looking for a powered machine that might be a little faster

The CB3200 has only been on the market for about one year. So, it's too soon to tell how long they will perform at their specifications. All I can tell you is about how their big Brother, the CB4500 holds up. I've been using mine up to 5 days a week since July 2012 and have had no machine problems that weren't operator or thread error. i did have a push button servo motor go bad, which was replaced at no cost in a couple of business days.

Mind you, we sew very slowly on the CB4500. The fastest speed with the current Family Sew motor, equipped with a 50mm pulley, is about 5 or 6 stitches per second, or ~360 per minute. I have a friend who has been sewing rifle slings, guitar straps, lined belts and holsters on an almost daily basis, on a Cobra Class 4 since 2011. He sews at about 3 stitches per second (~180 /min). At these rates, with proper oiling, the machines should last another 5 to 10 years..

Now, if you are seeking a harness grade lockstitch machine that has a long established track record, and have a really big bank account, you should check out the Campbell Randall Lockstitch machines. I learned to sew on one that was 80+ years old and was used 5 or 6 days a week to sew tugs, reins and harness for race horse stables. It used 4 or 5 cord Barbour's Irish linen thread run through Ceroxylon liquid wax. It chugged along at the blinding rate of about 200 stitches per minute and laid a stitch second to none. Machines going tapokita tapokita.