icrewhelos Report post Posted January 24, 2018 I am not new to leather but I am new to using a sewing machine with leather. I do guitar straps, cuffs, embraces and gauntlets. My wife would like to do heavy canvas bags. I am looking fo a machine around $750 to a $1000 that will do and average of 6 ounce leather and heavy canvas. Low volume items but good quality. I need advice on a sewing machine not the perfect one but the correct one that will suffice for the volume I do. Please help me choose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 24, 2018 I think you may be looking for a machine like the Consew P-1206RB. It seems to be spec'd exactly as you described. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrmCa Report post Posted January 24, 2018 For bags the cylinder arm would be a better choice. And you will want to expand anyway sooner or later, so why not getting a 441 clone right away? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 25, 2018 4 hours ago, DrmCa said: For bags the cylinder arm would be a better choice. And you will want to expand anyway sooner or later, so why not getting a 441 clone right away? A 441 clone is not the best machine for sewing canvas, or cuffs, or even 6 ounce leather. That is the realm of the medium duty walking foot, upholstery class machines. A cylinder arm machine is great for circular and vertically curved or shaped work. But, for items that are lengthy, floppy, or have all flat seam surfaces, a flat bed machine is easier to use. I always sew large flat objects on a flat bed machine, folding the excess on the right side up into the harp area. Sewing the same items on a cylinder arm machine is a royal PITA. Finally, the machine I linked to is within the O.P's budget. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
icrewhelos Report post Posted January 25, 2018 (edited) 8 hours ago, Wizcrafts said: I think you may be looking for a machine like the Consew P-1206RB. It seems to be spec'd exactly as you described. Thank you I have been looking at so many sewing machines it gets confusing real fast. I will let the wife know and I am sure she will be excited to hear it. Thanks again and good sewing to you. Edited January 25, 2018 by icrewhelos Mispell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted January 25, 2018 1 hour ago, icrewhelos said: Thank you I have been looking at so many sewing machines it gets confusing real fast. Can't imagine why! I reckon the one that Wiz refers to should do nicely, not too big and not too small. If you get one that's too big you could have problems trying to sew lighter stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R8R Report post Posted January 25, 2018 Sailrite Fabricator is based on the same clone chassis as the Consew P1206, and it comes with a fantastic motor and great speed control. I have one and I highly recommend it for a first machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
icrewhelos Report post Posted July 12, 2018 On 1/24/2018 at 2:20 PM, Wizcrafts said: I think you may be looking for a machine like the Consew P-1206RB. It seems to be spec'd exactly as you described. Do you know anything about how a Chandler DY-337 would handle thick leather? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted July 12, 2018 It depends how you define "thick". I found this by searching here - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
