what machine to buy

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

1 minute ago, Matt S said:

Well one is a craptacular Chinese patcher which cost less than a servo motor. The other "unique capability" machine is a feed-up-the-arm zig-zag so don't feel bad, very few of these are around (probably cos nobody wants one). I'm sure your 4500 takes up less space than a single one of my 7.

Now you're starting to sound like my girlfriend! Okay so I have two flat-bed upholstery-weight machines with almost identical capabilities so I guess I could get rid of one. And maybe I don't need a flat-bed Singer 45 when my BUSM No6 does everything it can and more... This is dangerous. You'll be telling me I don't need so many guns or knives or tents soon.

I'm sure you don't really need that No. 6. . . I'd give it a good forever home and you could come visit it anytime you wanted.  Oh wait, you're across the pond. Dammit.

[Matt S]

6 minutes ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

I'm sure you don't really need that No. 6. . . I'd give it a good forever home and you could come visit it anytime you wanted.  Oh wait, you're across the pond. Dammit.

You know what, I might be persuaded to swap it for a 441-type machine. I've only found one dealer over here that sells Chinese 441s and they want £4k+ 20% tax for a 4500. That's about what a genuine used Juki goes for. It'd actually be cheaper to have one shipped from Toledo and pay import tax as well as the 20% sales tax.

On the flip side dealers ask about £2000-2500 for No.6 machines on treadle stands, and they can be got for a lot less if you're willing to risk the guys on ePray flogging "Uncle Grandad's old machine". I've noticed two fail to sell for £1500 in the last couple months. Part of it is that safety inspectors mostly don't have experience operating anything more than a clipboard and have the legal power to shut down a workplace at the drop of a hard hat. Most businesses just can't afford the hassle. One-man-bands don't have to comply with safety regs but as soon as you employ the neighbour kid to click you out a few bits on Saturday mornings the whole operation is technically liable, even if it's you who does the stupid thing and tries to find out what a 30lb balance wheel tastes like at 150RPM.

[Constabulary]

You can buy 441 clones from Hightex in Germany from Sieck.de or Frank Brunnet http://hightex-germany.de/

No import taxes since the UK (still) is EU member

[Rolandranch]

1 hour ago, Matt S said:

This is dangerous. You'll be telling me I don't need so many guns or knives or tents soon.

Don't worry. I understand the gun thing. I didn't know a guy could have too many guns. Keep your guns and knives. 

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

2 hours ago, Matt S said:

You know what, I might be persuaded to swap it for a 441-type machine.

Double dammit!  Provided your 6 isn't 3/4 worn out, I'd take that trade in a heartbeat!  But I'm having trouble figuring out how to ship a creaser! 

[Hockeymender]

4 hours ago, Rolandranch said:

Don't worry. I understand the gun thing. I didn't know a guy could have too many guns. Keep your guns and knives. 

Amen to that!

[RockyAussie]

9 hours ago, Uwe said:

Just get a 441 class machine like the Cowboy 4500 and a nice flatbed attachment first. You may find it'll do everything you want to do. They're not much more expensive than the Juki flatbeds you're looking at.

I spent near to an hour trying to work out how to say something along that line. Given the range of products you mentioned like dog collars and so on I would spend my money on a 441 Class machine first. Although I would not use it for doing wallets normally, I have done so and the results turned out well. The below wallet was done with 20m thread (138). If you track down where to get this needle plate and dog foot combination you can get down to upholstery weight and without any other changes other than thread tension and a little foot pressure go up to some very heavy weight leather as in this linesman's pouch which is about 3/4" thick. It also allows you to get up very close to the edge.  The extra foot lift and capacity over the 3200 is worth spending the bit extra on. Lastly ....I do have some flat beds but they are there for the ladies to use.

[aguwa]

thanks for all the replies and suggestions , a lot of you suggested I get a cowboy 4500 and I will first I am looking for a machine to do just a bit lighter stuff that`s why I was deciding between the 1541 -1508 -1508H  so I think I settled for the 1508 gonna get it Tuesday from a local shop well 1.5 hours away close enough, who matched the web prices for me he also has in stock . I figure the close by help offers from him might just come in handy , then back to work get some more play money put aside and get the CB4500 they say the 1508 takes thread from #46-#138 the 1508H goes from #69--#207 the cowboy starts at #138  so I thought the 1508 was the choice I`m gonna do something Tuesday when I see them all lol I`m not getting the cowboy just yet gonna get a serger with the 1508 or whatever I decide tue. Oh ya and a skiver , so cowboy is on the wait list lol, He also said he has a bunch of LU 563`s he wanted to show me. thank`s again everyone 

[Wizcrafts]

@aguwa;

The actual Juki model number you are looking for is the LU-1508NH

[ZigZag]

On 08/06/2018 at 7:22 PM, Matt S said:

You know what, I might be persuaded to swap it for a 441-type machine. I've only found one dealer over here that sells Chinese 441s and they want £4k+ 20% tax for a 4500. That's about what a genuine used Juki goes for. It'd actually be cheaper to have one shipped from Toledo and pay import tax as well as the 20% sales tax.

On the flip side dealers ask about £2000-2500 for No.6 machines on treadle stands, and they can be got for a lot less if you're willing to risk the guys on ePray flogging "Uncle Grandad's old machine". I've noticed two fail to sell for £1500 in the last couple months. Part of it is that safety inspectors mostly don't have experience operating anything more than a clipboard and have the legal power to shut down a workplace at the drop of a hard hat. Most businesses just can't afford the hassle. One-man-bands don't have to comply with safety regs but as soon as you employ the neighbour kid to click you out a few bits on Saturday mornings the whole operation is technically liable, even if it's you who does the stupid thing and tries to find out what a 30lb balance wheel tastes like at 150RPM.

Hey Matt, I bought a typical 441, which is excellent quality. I paid £3000 with servo motor and speed reducer all delivered by an engineer to demo it working etc. One or two of the US brands are relabelled Typical machines I’m told.