Help for first machine for Aviation Leather

[AnthonyF14]

Hello everyone.  I have really enjoyed reading and learning over the last month from all of you hear.  I really enjoyed Wizcrafts sewing machine-101 post.  I am looking for a machine that will so leather upholstery for aviation interiors.  I am not ready to go for a consew $1200 to $1500 machine yet and I think I will pretty much be strait stiching.  I am looking for something close by me here in Virginia Beach and on craigslist I saw these adds over the last weekend but not sure.  So just looking for some advice and also alternatives prior to going to the $1200 range in a year or so. I will be working with leather about 0.9mm to 1.5mm mostly.  Thank you!

https://richmond.craigslist.org/for/6103690557.html

https://eastnc.craigslist.org/for/6116640686.html

https://richmond.craigslist.org/for/6093145119.html

 

 

[Wizcrafts]

None of the above are really suitable for leather upholstery. You should refocus your search to find a compound feed walking foot upholstery sewing machine.

Did you know about the new Consew Premier P1206RB? It sells for just under a thousand dollars. If you can find one at a dealer within driving distance you can save the shipping cost (~$150 to $200).

[AnthonyF14]

Thanks Wiz, that's exactly the advice I was looking for 

[mikesc]

You sure about those thicknessess ? That is about the mm count I use for lambskin or goatskin "clubwear"..in chrome tan.
Lingerie uses thinner for some items, I have some 0.5 mm within arms reach as I type, which I'm cutting and making into "control samples", ( before sending them away to have the first production run of those items made ) this week, the garment cow and buffalo we work with ranges from around 1.0 to 1.5 mm at the thinnest up to around 3 mm.
Of course straps , belts, restraints etc of various sorts are often made using heavier again.

I've never taken any of the leather upholstery apart on any of the vehicles I have owned to see how thick the leather was, and if I start picking the leather sofa apart at this time of night my wife is not going to be amused, but I would have thought that anything that you sit on ( unless it was leather shorts :) would have to be made using heavier leather than around 1.0 to 1.5 mm..

Intrigued ..what kind of leather at that "thinness" do you use for aviation upholstery ? Have I been sitting on leather that is much thinner than I thought it was..although I did jump out of a lot of aviation over the years..maybe it was the seats :)

[Wizcrafts]

4 hours ago, AnthonyF14 said:

Thanks Wiz, that's exactly the advice I was looking for 

My answers are based on your statement that you want a machine that can sew between 1/2 and 3/4 of an inch of leather. Ounce-wise, that corresponds to 32 to 48 ounces leather thickness. If this is correct, do nothing. If not, correct the unit of measurement and I will recalculate the machine lineup.

[AnthonyF14]

Thanks Wiz.  Last night I did some more research on FAA standards and I also talked to folks at Townsend Leather who are a big supplier to a lot of the aviation interior folks. From what I am told and what I read is that the norm is 1.0 to 1.5mm and looking at their conversion chart that comes out to be 2 1/2 to 3 ounces per square foot.  I have attached the one bulletin they shared with me.  

http://www.townsendleather.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bulletin-6_Thickness.pdf

[AnthonyF14]

Wiz, is this an older model 206RB? https://norfolk.craigslist.org/app/6089650631.html

 

[CowboyBob]

No,that's a portable Consew,it has feed dogs & feet w/teeth that will mark + it isn't the type of machine you would want to use for eceryday sewing.

[Wizcrafts]

4 hours ago, AnthonyF14 said:

Thanks Wiz.  Last night I did some more research on FAA standards and I also talked to folks at Townsend Leather who are a big supplier to a lot of the aviation interior folks. From what I am told and what I read is that the norm is 1.0 to 1.5mm and looking at their conversion chart that comes out to be 2 1/2 to 3 ounces per square foot.  I have attached the one bulletin they shared with me.  

http://www.townsendleather.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bulletin-6_Thickness.pdf

These thicknesses are totally different than the ones you stated in your original post. They are in fact magnitudes apart! You won't need a 441, 205 or any other harness stitcher to sew soft, thin leather like in the link you posted. These machines will eat that leather.

You should probably contact a dealer to see what they can recommend. Based on your new information, I'm leaning towards a Consew Premier P1206RB. It is all you'll need for sewing from about 4 ounces (1/16") up to about 24 ounces (3/8").

Good luck

[AnthonyF14]

Wiz, man am I glad I posted here and talked to you.  Copy all.  Yeah, to me I see the numbers and I think they are all the same.  I just found a good supplier out of Tampa who I was going to call today so I will ask that very question.  I will keep you posted.

1 hour ago, Wizcrafts said:

These thicknesses are totally different than the ones you stated in your original post. They are in fact magnitudes apart! You won't need a 441, 205 or any other harness stitcher to sew soft, thin leather like in the link you posted. These machines will eat that leather.

You should probably contact a dealer to see what they can recommend. Based on your new information, I'm leaning towards a Consew Premier P1206RB. It is all you'll need for sewing from about 4 ounces (1/16") up to about 24 ounces (3/8").

Good luck