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.

[Wizcrafts]

Why beat around the bush? Check out this video of a Campbell Randall High Lift at work.

 

[gottaknow]

I had the pleasure of completely retiming one of those that had been taken apart by a novice. Not the funniest thing I've ever done. 

[dikman]

That is awesome. Tapokita tapokita indeed.

[billybopp]

Awesome video.   Thanks Wiz Mitty!

[Constabulary]

what leather products have a thickness of 1" - just wondering - I have no idea....

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

3 hours ago, Constabulary said:

what leather products have a thickness of 1" - just wondering - I have no idea....

There are harness parts that can hit the one inch mark pretty easily if one doesn't actively try NOT to. Tug ends and Breeching ends primarily.  Although I've never made a bareback rigging, used on bucking horses in rodeos, I've been told they'll hit an inch also.  Cantle bindings on a handmade saddle will definitely hit an inch, although we hand sew those.

[T Moore Medicine Hat Saddlery]

I would prefer not to get one of the 441 clones if possible. I had a ferdco 2000 that  never worked right even though it was worked on twice by ferdco and was traded off for a adler 205. Just looking for other available options without having to go with a 441 if possible