WTB Starting Cylinder Machin

[brianevans]

I am hesitant to post because I'm not sure I won't be laughed off the board.  I'm not exactly sure what I need.  I would like to move from hand stitching to machine stitching.  I use primarily veg tan in the 6-10 oz range.  I make bags, holsters, and other small goods.  I know I want reverse as I hate sewing cloth on my 1939 Singer without reverse.  I have around $1500 to work with.  Any other ideas are welcome.  I'm in central Illinois.  I can drive to pick up a decent machine.  Open to suggestions.  Thanks all.

[bikermutt07]

A cowboy 3200 can sew up to 1\2 with larger thread. It can be had for about that amount.

[JLSleather]

If you're unfamiliar with machines for leather, it's always good if you have a dealer near you -- where you can see it work, and get help with maintenance, 'n' such.

Next best option, call Bob (in OH).  I don't speak for him but he likely can get you fixed up. 866-362-7397

Next issue, do not concern yourself with making laughable posts.  Nobody likely saying anything more dumber 'n' me, and even if you do -- given time i will remedy that

 

Edited June 13, 2017 by JLSleather

[brianevans]

19 minutes ago, bikermutt07 said:

A cowboy 3200 can sew up to 1\2 with larger thread. It can be had for about that amount.

Am I going to wish I would have bought a bigger machine a year from now?

15 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

If you're unfamiliar with machines for leather, it's always good if you have a dealer near you -- where you can see it work, and get help with maintenance, 'n' such.

Next best option, call Bob (in OH).  I don't speak for him but he likely can get you fixed up. 866-362-7397

Next issue, do not concern yourself with making laughable posts.  Nobody likely saying anything more dumber 'n' me, and even if you do -- given time i will remedy that

 

I'll give Bob a call tomorrow.  Toledo is only 5 1/2 hours from me and I could do that and back in a long day.  Maybe they have a used machine or two around that I could buy.  Thank you for the confidence about dumb posts.

[bikermutt07]

Bob does have used machines (according to his site).

To answer your question? Let me start by saying I don't own a machine. But I have done my homework.

Let's stick with cowboy because I have looked into those the most.

227r is good for up to 3/8” with 138 thread. $1695

341 is a newer comparable model with a little more foot lift and a bigger bobbin. $1995

3200 is the middle of the road machine that will do up to 1/2" with the larger threads (346 thread I think). $1695

These are all of the smaller cylinder machines with a 10.5 arm, compound triple feed (what you want for leather), and will sew what you mentioned in your original post.

If you want a bigger capacity machine, the following (known as 441 clones) will handle up to 346 or 415 thread and ¾" leather.

3500 9.5" arm $2195

4500 17" arm $2395

These larger machines won't easily sew what you were looking for in your original post. Massive adjustments have to be made to sew thinner leather on these machines. This can be done, but it's not easy and then you have the issue of burying the larger stitch in the middle of thinner leather. A lockstitch is thicker than a saddle stitch.

So, one machine won't do it all. You also may get bit by a bug and find you can't live without 3 machines. 

Good luck.

P.S. To any of the experts, here feel free to correct the information I provided.

Edited June 13, 2017 by bikermutt07

[Mark842]

For what your doing I would go with either the Cowboy 4500 or the Cobra 4. They are basically the same machine and support for both is outstanding. What it would come down to is your location and which would cost less to ship to you. the leather Machine co (Cobra) is in California and I believe the Cowboy dealer is in Ohio...not positive as I went with the Cobra as California is closer.

Super user friendly machines that are very capable.