Upgrading Our shop sewing machine

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

Hey all,

 

Ive been doing some homework on a new stitcher for our shop( we make heavy harness horse tack, everything except saddles). So we need a heavy duty motor, our current Ferdco 2000 has an underpowered servo motor and no speed reducer and it gives me some trouble going thru the really heavy 12/13oz stuff( dont really want to put a new motor on it right now). Either way we need another machine to boost our production time right now. 

That being said..I've been looking at a few different machines and wondered everyone's opinion on each. My budget is around $3500, and id like to not exceed that if at all possible. Just looking for the good and bad of each. Hows the company's customer service if something goes wrong or breaks?

Techsew 5100-SE
Cobra class 4
 

If there are any other machines I should be looking at within my price range as well, feel free to chime in. Want as much info as possible before I "take the plunge" and get a new one. 

 

Thanks all! 

 

[Wizcrafts]

The Cobra warehouse is located in Ontario, California (91761), which is about 350 miles from Frisco, so shipping will be cheaper. I own a Cowboy CB4500, which is pretty much the same as the Cobra Class 4 and Techsew 5100. I have a good friend who owns a Cobra Class 4, which he uses just about every day. These machines are built like tanks. Plus, not only do they have powerful servo motors with 2" pulleys, they also have 3:1 speed reducers/torque multipliers preinstalled. My Cowboy can plow though 3/4 inch of veg-tan or bridle leather at well under one stitch per second, if needed.

Whichever brand you choose, I recommend buying it with a full accessory package and lots of thread in various sizes and colors, different sizes of needles and a quart each of oil and thread lubricant. You have a high enough budget to afford this up front.

All of these dealers also sell speed reducers, motors and v-belts.

[480volt]

Hi, you recently had two Landis #3s for sale, aren't that class of stitchers the go-to for uber-heavy work? 

[keplerts]

Check out the new Weaver 205.  It is based on the Adler 205 that was discontinued.  I think the base price is $2995.00 for wholesale buyers.  I know their customer service has been great for other things.

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

On 5/19/2017 at 3:19 PM, Wizcrafts said:

The Cobra warehouse is located in Ontario, California (91761), which is about 350 miles from Frisco, so shipping will be cheaper. I own a Cowboy CB4500, which is pretty much the same as the Cobra Class 4 and Techsew 5100. I have a good friend who owns a Cobra Class 4, which he uses just about every day. These machines are built like tanks. Plus, not only do they have powerful servo motors with 2" pulleys, they also have 3:1 speed reducers/torque multipliers preinstalled. My Cowboy can plow though 3/4 inch of veg-tan or bridle leather at well under one stitch per second, if needed.

Whichever brand you choose, I recommend buying it with a full accessory package and lots of thread in various sizes and colors, different sizes of needles and a quart each of oil and thread lubricant. You have a high enough budget to afford this up front.

All of these dealers also sell speed reducers, motors and v-belts.

Thanks for the info. I will call and chat with them. Being in California is definitely a plus for shipping!

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

On 5/19/2017 at 5:47 PM, 480volt said:

Hi, you recently had two Landis #3s for sale, aren't that class of stitchers the go-to for uber-heavy work? 

Yes I did, and yes they are. However, my employees would rather stitch on the newer machines because it's easier for them and more user friendly. So getting another new machine will work better for our needs at this time. Finding parts is also easier..dont have the option to wait weeks or maybe never to find parts if a machine goes down. 

On 5/20/2017 at 1:20 AM, keplerts said:

Check out the new Weaver 205.  It is based on the Adler 205 that was discontinued.  I think the base price is $2995.00 for wholesale buyers.  I know their customer service has been great for other things.

Thanks. I had forgotten about the weaver machines. Wasn't sure how good of quality they were..