amuckart Report post Posted August 2, 2018 I looked at a CH8B when I was hunting for a big stitcher a few years ago. In the end it wasn't worth it because feet and needle plates and other parts were too difficult to come by. Irrespective of any other merits and flaws, the Juki 441 clones from manufacturers like Cowboy/Hightex, Cobra, and Highlead have become the de-facto standard for modern heavy leather stitchers and as a result there is a much wider range of feet and needle plates and other accessories available for them than there is for other similar machines like the Seiko you're looking at. I ended up buying a Hightex (Cowboy) 441 clone from China. It was a bit of an adventure but I got a machine and a full set of harness feet and needle plates and a pedestal stand for only a little more than the Seiko I'd been looking at would have cost me. Since then I've acquired a Highlead 441 clone which is better built and noticeably higher quality (and at normal price, quite a lot more expensive) which the feet and needle plates fit on to just fine. As others have noted, a 441 type machine is probably overkill for what you want to do. You may well be better off with a smaller machine that'll handle thinner materials more gracefully. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treed Report post Posted August 2, 2018 Not many replies from people who own the Seiko ch 8. I bought mine in 2000 and have used it on everything from all sorts of bags to halters for Saddle bronc horses. I have sewed 5-6 oz to 2-3 oz chap leather using smaller needles and thread to sewing two layers of 13 oz harness leather together in a bucking horse halter using heavy needles and thread. Like i said I bought it in 2000 and used it everyday in the construction of bags and holsters and never had a repairman look at the machine. It is limited to the type of feet and other accessories. I have considered getting rid of it a couple times to gain the accessibility to these accessories but changed my mind because of losing the versatility of the machine. I just ordered extra double feet and made my own.... I make primarily chaps, holsters, gun belts, purses, messenger bags, and horse tack. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brmax Report post Posted August 3, 2018 There are a few post from the past on the forum here that I read early today on the Seiko. I personally consider the brand a premium machine manufacturer. In searching its easily done and many times more productive using google. Although using this site as a lead in, IE site:leatherworker.net : seiko ch8 good day Floyd Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
