Looking for a sewing machine

[Lindsay John Ross]

Hoyden,

If you are just going to do strap work with the heavier leather, probably the Artisan 3000 for less than $2000 is the choice. It has a narrower throat than some machines, but not as narrow as a Tippmann Boss for $1500 which is hand powered. If you want a machine with a wider throat, then you are looking at a Ferdco 2000, Artisan 4000, or Adler 205. Getting up to $4000 - 6000. I have an Adler 205-64 that is a tank and a Ferdco 2000. I prefer the Ferdco with the edge guide to sew straps now. The Ferdco has a lower needle guide, so I can't see exactly where the needle is entering the leather on a particular stitch. The Adler doesn't have the lower needle guide, and I can. The Adler skips more than the Ferdco, although not very much.

Bruce Johnson

Bruce, I have both the Ferdco Pro 2000 and the Adler 205/64 and they lie in storage. Because our factory uses only needle awl machines, we gave the Ferdco a shot ( on the advice of John Bianchi`s video)

What I am keen on is finding an independent person I can send our stitched samples to including the thread and leather so that if anyone knows how to create a stitch similar to the needle awl ( as promised) with the Ferdco I would be very grateful. As I said it lies in storage and before I sell it ( never been in production) I would like a second opinion and trial with someone who owns the same machine. We have tried all the needles Jean Blanc could suggest and the thread they suggest but all for nothing. Any help would be appreciated. We are in Cape Town but would airmail the sampleas and leather samples so that someone could give it a shot and see if its just a setup on our side although we doubt it now. ( been here for 35 years so we are not newbies)

Thanx

Lindsay