Sewing Machines Question and Recommendation

[Jwyrick]

On 9/11/2018 at 9:05 PM, bikermutt07 said:

Most everything you mentioned could be had on a smaller machine than mentioned. You could technically tackle everything you mentioned with the 3200. But, will be constantly changing needles and adjusting tension. 

Everything short of the holsters and sheaths would be more comfortable on the consew 206rb platform or a cowboy 341 if you need the cylinder. Or comparable machines to these two.

The 3200 will probably be best served staying right around the middle of the road between theseachines and the larger capacity 4500 models. So, sheaths, holsters, saddlebags and such, yes.

Wallets, garments and such not so much.

Try and figure out where 1 your market lies and 2 less important but your interest lies

And buy the machine that can help you find the other machine(s).

If you have the scratch for the 3200 you are right there with the 341. Since more of your items are smaller the go that way and get the 3200 later.

I was able to find a hunny of a deal on a consew 206rb1. There isn't much difference from what I understand in that series except the lube system. The rb1 is a cross between a wicking system and a user oiled machine. Since I am sewing slowly I don't benefit from a self oiling machine like the 206rb5.

Just stuff to think about. I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about them by reading everything here. Now that I have one I can see there is so much more.

What about a juki lu-563. As far as holster making is concerned 

[bikermutt07]

@Jwyrick, I'm not very tuned in on that machine, but I think it is comparable to the 206.

If that is the case it tops out at 138 or 207 thread, which I understand is too small for holsters.

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Jwyrick said:

What about a juki lu-563. As far as holster making is concerned 

NO! The LU-563 and its successors are limited to #138 thread. This is okay for many jobs but not gun holsters. The thread is simply not strong enough to withstand the forces that can be exerted by holstering a handgun. I use #277 thread for all holsters.

I owned a 563 and found it inadequate for holsters and had forward/reverse length mismatches. It also suffered from a floating stitch lever that changed stitch length with the speed I sewed at.

[Jwyrick]

Thanks for the help. I'm a noob when it comes to machines. Trying to find a machine for just a hobby without spending a fortune seems impossible. Back to the hunt lol

[bikermutt07]

@Jwyrick, keep in mind these machines used to be thousands more before the Chinese and Japanese machines came along.

But, deals are out there. Be patient and save up.

30 days ago I had no machine. Now the two I mentioned above both fell into my lap.

I got the consew locally for 400 with a new table and servo.

Then last weekend I hotshotted it out to Vegas to grab a 3200 and about 3,000.00 worth of materials and tools for a grand.

If it wasn't for the Good Lord, good friends, and this site none of this would have transpired.

Just keep your eyes peeled.

 

[R8R]

My first foray into "heavy duty" machines was a generic portable zig-zag walking foot (clone of a Sailrite Ultrafeed/Thomson) I found at the Goodwill depot for $3.00 (yes THREE dollars) I think it's a Family Sew or similar brand. No actual brand name, made in Taiwan though. Sews great!

Keep your eyes peeled!

 

[Jwyrick]

Thanks fellas. I stay glued to CL,let go and offer up. Looks like I need to put some boots on the ground and hit some places 

[SolarLeatherMachines]

6 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

NO! The LU-563 and its successors are limited to #138 thread. This is okay for many jobs but not gun holsters. The thread is simply not strong enough to withstand the forces that can be exerted by holstering a handgun. I use #277 thread for all holsters.

I owned a 563 and found it inadequate for holsters and had forward/reverse length mismatches. It also suffered from a floating stitch lever that changed stitch length with the speed I sewed at.

EXACTLY.  I see lots and LOTS of guys sewing holsters with 138.  And they'll each argue that it's plenty strong because they twist in in their hands and it holds together.  But a holster's job is to retain the weapon during a struggle, and let me tell ya, if a 225 lb man wants a gun, he'll unzip that 138 thread by yanking straight out on the holster.  I've seen it, I've done it myself.   Use NOTHING LESS than 277.  And for the love of Science, use 277 top AND bottom.  It's pointless to have 277 on top and 138 on bottom.  It'll just unzip.  

[pepeunidos]

11 hours ago, bikermutt07 said:

@Jwyrick, keep in mind these machines used to be thousands more before the Chinese and Japanese machines came along.

But, deals are out there. Be patient and save up.

30 days ago I had no machine. Now the two I mentioned above both fell into my lap.

I got the consew locally for 400 with a new table and servo.

Then last weekend I hotshotted it out to Vegas to grab a 3200 and about 3,000.00 worth of materials and tools for a grand.

If it wasn't for the Good Lord, good friends, and this site none of this would have transpired.

Just keep your eyes peeled.

 

@bikermutt07 I saw the discussion thread and was gonna ask you about how that went! Other than the machine, were there some other goodies in there? Which Consew did you get?

Pepe

[pepeunidos]

The amount of knowledge on this site is staggering. Please keep it coming. I'm starting to come up with a budget for these machines based on everything that I'm seeing on this thread (har har! see what I did there? I kill myself sometimes). For my needs, I'm considering the following:

Juki LU1508-N or clone of same (Thor GC-1508, Artisan 1508-10H)

Consew 206 RB-5 or Chandler CM406RB-1 (to my untrained eye, looks like a clone of the Consew, but couldn't find enough specs regarding the feed to say for sure)

Cobra Class 18

Cowboy 227R with some kind of flatbed jig/attachment

Eventually, as a second, something a little heavier like a Cowboy 3200 for the sheaths and holsters. I don't ever expect to be doing anything heavier than that, like saddles or tack. A huge factor regarding the purchase is whether I can pick it up instead of having it shipped.

Thanks to everyone for posting on this thread. I sure do appreciate it.