Beginner Saddle Leather Sewing Machine

[SmokeyMtn]

1 hour ago, R8R said:

Had one, good machine, different beast. No comparison. If you are doing leather regularly, CB3200 all the way. Fabricator is for canvas, upholstery, light leather.

 

Oh thank you!  That is what I was wondering....if it would really go through the leather like I need it to.  Greatly appreciate your input!!

[Oelschlagel]

Thanks for the help everyone, I think I will have to go with the CB3200, or heavier, if I would like to pursue the quality I am wanting to achieve. I will keep my eyes open.

[DonInReno]

These three get talked about as if they are interchangeable, but the Artisan and Cobra have the same capacity (thickness) as the full size 4500/4000/class 4.  What the cowboy 3200 does have is a lower price, so if you don’t need the extra capacity you’ll save $300-$500.

The Artisan 3200 has a 12” arm and will sew a full 7/8”.

Cobra class 3 has a 9” arm and sews 7/8”.

Cowboy 3200 has a 10-1/2” arm and sews 1/2”.

I have the Artisan 3200 and it runs beautifully, but the cowboy dealers are active, helpful, and have a great reputation for support that goes a long way if you have hiccups and need good advice to get out of a jam.  Cobra may have support that’s just as good - others are better able to comment on that.  

Artisan isn’t talked about much - I’m not entirely sure what happened on the playground - who did what or said what to who, but someone was buttt hurt....maybe some slow weekend I’ll search the gap in the old threads between when everyone was saying great things about Artisan and now. :-)

 

Edited November 15, 2018 by DonInReno

[SmokeyMtn]

R8R I like that you say go with CB 3200 instead of fabricator.  Now my concern is that it sews only 1/2" thickness, so I'm leaning toward the 3500 or 4500.  I am going to sew purses, do you know if these will handle light leather and/or leather with cotton fabric.  I think I saw that they do not work well on light leather? Or maybe my Viking Topaz 50 will handle the light stuff?

Thanks in advance!

Edited November 18, 2018 by SmokeyMtn

[chrisash]

The answer is No you need a light machine for light leather and a heavy one for heavy leather, there is none that do both jobs

[SmokeyMtn]

Darnit!  Thanks!!  Back to the drawing board I guess....