Sewing machine from china???

[billybopp]

Did you notice that the post machine has a minimum order of 10??   They are both head only - up to you so sort out a table, motor, and such.  And, as stated above, don't count on any support really.  None of which makes them for the faint of heart, probably even for somebody with a lot of experience much less a beginner.

- Bill

[dikman]

As soon as holsters are mentioned you're straight away into the realms of heavy-duty machines. A CB3200 (or equivalent) would have to be considered the starting point, and most likely a CB4500. Forget the post bed machine, totally unsuited to your needs.

Alibaba is generally considered a supplier to the trade/companies, whereas Aliexpress is their equivalent to ebay (supplying to the consumer, but their prices are higher). I've also looked at importing a machine (441 type) but by the time all costs are factored in there's very little to be gained and a lot to lose if something goes wrong! You really need to have a lot of experience working with industrial machines if you go down this route as you will basically be on your own.

ComputerDoctor, industrial sewing machines are designed to work within a particular range of operations. It is a simple fact that no one machine can be designed to sew thin garment leather one minute and then also handle 3/4" thick holsters next. It's a sad fact that unless you specialise in only making a certain type of item then you will soon learn that you need more than one machine.

[gottaknow]

8 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

No matter what brand name machine you buy, if you get it sent directly to you from China, you become the "dealer" for servicing purposes. You will be responsible for all repairs, adjustments and parts costs. It is highly unlikely that you will receive any after sale assistance. If there is any assistance, unless you speak Chinese, it will have to be handled by email, using a translator.

Worse of all, if the machine is totally defective from the start and needs to go back to the factory, you will be responsible for packing and shipping it at your own expense.

Some Chinese sewing machine companies may offer phone, text, or online chat service agreements for an additional up front fee, making the machine more expensive. The problem with that is, do they speak/read/write your language, or do you speak/read/write theirs?

We buy Brother and Juki direct from China. The savings enormous. That being said, Wiz is right about the support and warranty issues. For us it’s a non issue since we’re a factory with 3 full time mechanics. We’ll get the occasional bad control box, but just order another. We always check the settings, and trust me they sometimes don’t sew a stitch right out of the box. I always advise folks to use dealers, it just makes sense. 

Regards, Eric

[Darren Brosowski]

As a dealer it pisses me off no end when someone buys a machine direct from China and then they bring it to me to get it to work. Half the time it is shipped incomplete with a three phase motor, a stand that does not fit properly and no accessories.

When I quote them what they need to get the machine up the standard that I would have sold them they are going to have to shell out another $1000 or more on top of a landed price that is already higher than my price because they did not realise that landing costs, import agent, taxes, transport from the wharf were all on top of the shipped price.

Being an importer I know these costs and I know exactly what to order from the supplier and even then I can make mistakes BUT they are my mistakes and the buyer does not wear them

 

[SolarLeatherMachines]

On 9/25/2018 at 8:30 AM, Mocivnik said:

I came to the conclusion, that I could technically buy a sewing machine from alibaba/aliexpress etc. Since I'm quite on budget, what do you guys think of machines as this?

 

I'm sewing knife sheaths and gun holsters in 90% of my work. Knife sheaths are 3-5 layers of 3mm thick leather.

 

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/244-Cylinder-bed-leather-sew-machine_60484704621.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.32.1d8e2303si8yJa

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/amazing-BOMA-810R-wig-making-heavy_60759781981.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.21.498565aa9uUoZ5&s=p

Neither of those machines are going to sew your sheaths or holsters.  Get a 441 clone from a local dealer in slovenia.  

 

[chrisash]

Mocivnik

One thing you could do to hopefully limit and set up problem,s is to ask them to video your machine, including the serial number and a test piece of the leather, thickness and thread size you want. that way at least you have a visual record of the machine prior to purchase, what you don't know is if they will do that for you, but if not go elsewhere

I dont know about Australia and can understand Darren is a bit upset about people using his when he is a dealer, but in the UK we have loads of sewing machine engineers who are freelance and happy to work on any machine and that's there main source of income