Cylinder arm length

[farns005]

Finally making the jump to getting my own machine and wondering about cylinder arm length.  The only machine I have used is a Ferdco Pro 2000 that has a 16 inch arm.  I’m looking at the CB 3200 or Cobra class 3.  Would love a class 4 but $$ and already stretching budget.  Mostly making chaps, portfolios, and western purses with tooled yokes.  Looking for thoughts on the extra length when going around the yoke if I’m going to get jammed up with the shorter cylinder arm.

TIA

Kelly

Edited July 1, 2018 by farns005

[Wizcrafts]

The 9 and 10 inch arms are just hunky dory until you need more room to sew something like a gunbelt with 24 bullet loops, or repair a 2" wide, 1/4" thick tow strap, or make/repair a halter, bridle, saddle or any other item that is longer than a foot to the right of the needle.

[Ken Nelson]

I have built a lot of saddles on a 9" 441 clone in the past  Given my preferences, I would rather have a 16" arm.  But there is nothing machine sewn on  a western saddle that cannot be satisfactorily sewn with a  9"  arm.  I built over 50 of them on 9" arms. HTH.  Ken

Edited July 1, 2018 by Ken Nelson

[farns005]

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

Kelly