Best all around

[LeatheryPalm]

I'm a hobbyist leathercrafter here in Indianapolis, IN. Got my start making belts and occasionally, holsters. I'd like to start saving towards a sewing machine but there's SO MUCH information out there and I've got the following conditions:

- I'm only doing this as a hobby now but wouldn't mind going pro, or at least semi-pro so something that can speed up production is important.

-workspace is very much at a premium. If I were to invest in a table or pedestal mounted machine then that would be it. Ergo, I need something that can do lots of different types of projects. Myself and I, I like making cartridge belts and Old West holsters but I figure that is more a niche market around here.

So conditions mentioned, here come the questions. 

-Are there ANY tabletop, COMPOUND feed machines that don't need a servo motor or is that a pipe dream? I know I read on one of these forum posts that machines like Sailrite Walking Foot machines aren't true Compound feed as they are not triple feed, only double feed. 

-Is it worth it to start with a tabletop machine(read:portable) if you plan to do heavier materials? I've heard a lot of "buy once, cry once" on this forum and as expensive as some of these machine are I want to do just that.

[kgg]

Hi LeatheryPalm,

The small portable type machines like Sailrite, Reliable, Techsew are walking foot machines. They are good little machines that can do a good job for what they were designed for. If you are thinking of thick holster work you are going to have to move up quite a bit in machine capabilities probably to a cylinder machine which a lot of them can have a swing down table top installed so it can quickly be converted into a flatbed.

kgg

 

 

[brmax]

Another agreement with the holster/cartridge belts. Thats some bigger leather I think, and to much of a stretch for the smaller machines you mentioned. 

The fabricator machine they have is an upholstery class size and peferfectly fine for smaller thread 138. This is their competitor as many brands have and are a copy or partial copy to other older bigger names. And thats just todays world. 

That model comes with a servo, its first benefit is slower controlled speeds, somewhat slower start speed, this is a fact. The others are their kinda quiet and maybe cheaper on electric as ya know. 

So with that model they have, similar choices can also be had in other brands. These and others with some dealers that are mentioned on the site here sometimes. 

In any case it will be a happier choice with a servo upgrade, and with their smallest pulley option for it.  

 

Have a good day

Floyd

[DonInReno]

Those cute little table top walking foot machines only have a decent amount of low speed torque with the addition of sailrite’s Monster wheel.  The monster wheel cost me as much as a basic servo.  

The niche these machines fill is where space and/or weight are at an absolute premium - like living in an RV, sailboat, or tiny apartment.  

[dikman]

LeatheryPalm, unfortunately you're up against the same brick wall that many have discovered - the search for the mythical one-machine-that-can-do- it-all. Once you start talking about holsters, particularly Old West holsters, you're entering the realms of heavy duty machines and big thread. You may get away with doing belts on a medium duty machine, but you're going to be restricted to lighter thread (a max. of #207 if you're lucky, most likely #138).

If you're really stuck for space, then perhaps the new Cowboy Outlaw hand operated machine might be a better candidate? Doesn't need a motor or a special table or take up too much space.

[Uwe]

Here's a nice heavy-duty table-top sewing machine you can operate by hand - the Consew 733R. It even has reverse. It's also quite portable  - if you're quite strong