One specific task: Strap (2 layers of 3oz garment with stiffener between)

[tofu]

Are you guys implying I should wait for the new tandy machine?

[kgg]

On the surface the Tandy machine made by Sailrite seems to be a version of the LS-1 put in a small table with a Sailrite servo motor. The price would deter me. In Ontario for about the same dollars you can buy a industrial Juki 1541S c/w full size table and servo motor.  Am I missing something?

kgg

[Wizcrafts]

If I was in the market for a portable walking foot machine, I would not hesitate to buy a Sailrite. The price may be higher than the Asian clones, but the quality offsets the difference.

Sailrite has optional knurled feet and feed dogs for sewing veg-tan leather. The feed is not as efficient as a triple feed machine, but is better than just bottom feed. Best of all, if you overstress one of their machines, Sailrite will sell you replacement parts, many of which will be beefier than the originals from a decade ago and more.

The Ultrafeed machines were discussed at great length about a decade ago on this forum. Use our site search for Sailrite and read through the results. Or, use Google search with the phrase: site: leatherworker.net sailrite ultrafeed - where you will find fascinating discussions like this topic about modding a Sailrite.

[benlilly1]

Sailrite also has great videos on YouTube and their own site!

[tofu]

38 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

If I was in the market for a portable walking foot machine, I would not hesitate to buy a Sailrite. The price may be higher than the Asian clones, but the quality offsets the difference.

Sailrite has optional knurled feet and feed dogs for sewing veg-tan leather. The feed is not as efficient as a triple feed machine, but is better than just bottom feed. Best of all, if you overstress one of their machines, Sailrite will sell you replacement parts, many of which will be beefier than the originals from a decade ago and more.

The Ultrafeed machines were discussed at great length about a decade ago on this forum. Use our site search for Sailrite and read through the results. Or, use Google search with the phrase: site: leatherworker.net sailrite ultrafeed - where you will find fascinating discussions like this topic about modding a Sailrite.

Thank you. Home Depot carries the barracuda and a 90 day no questions return policy, but I may just spring for a used sailrite. I wasn't aware there were major differences in the internals between clones. Cheers

[koreric75]

On 1/18/2019 at 12:33 PM, tofu said:

Hi everyone,

I read the machine faq and did a fair amount of searching, but I'm still confused about which models to focus on. I want a machine to do a specific task - make straight lock stitches for a bag strap made of two layers of 3oz garment and stiffener (texon) between. 

I'm doing maybe 2-3 straps a week. 

How cheap can I go? The portable sailrite clones seemed like they'd get the job done, but then I read some posts about how horrible they are. I really don't want to spend four digits on a true industrial machine for such a small task. 

 

I would appreciate if someone could offer specific model #s for me to search for on Craig's. I don't mind vintage, and I'd really prefer a portable unit (no under the table motor) because I live in a tiny NYC studio.

 

Thanks!

So there are literally hundreds of different options and opinions given your criteria, It sounds like space is the primary constraint due to the apartment, followed very closely by price, and then finally the specific application.  From my perspective and given your criteria, i'd look for a singer 15-91, only because this would be the machine in my stable i'd use for this.  Mine came in a cabinet, but you can find them with the portable case and cover, but if this meets your needs, most newer quality 15 class machines would do the trick.  Assumptions here are that you don't mind sewing at normal speeds ( don't require a servo/speed reducer etc) and you'll be sewing in straight lines, and thread size is not a major factor.  I use #92 thread in my singer with an 18/110 leather point needle and sew wallet pockets and straps etc with garment leather, and sew zippers to 4/5oz vegtan for lighter applications.

The issue here is, i got a lucky break with this singer, the potted motor and internals are all in great condition, and have been serviced regularly.  If you're not up for rolling the dice, go to your local sew shop and see if they will present you some options.  We have one local here, and they've always been great, knowledgeable and helpful.  Consider this if you require support on a machine if it acts up, breaks down etc... 

 

[tofu]

3 hours ago, koreric75 said:

singer 15-91, 

 

Thanks! Not too many good ones on Craig's at the moment.

 

I went to bed last night considering just making a small custom table so I can use one of those external motor machines like a 31-15. My portable would be left out permanently on a table anyway. My main issue was having to fit one of those large tables that come with the external motor units. They seem to be about 5ft long?

Maybe folding flaps on the end to expand the table when in use? 

No used sailrites in my area anyway I think the cheapest is $675 for a used red one, but that's also a 3hr drive. Wouldn't pay that much even if it were next door, though. 

 

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, tofu said:

Thanks! Not too many good ones on Craig's at the moment.

 

I went to bed last night considering just making a small custom table so I can use one of those external motor machines like a 31-15. My portable would be left out permanently on a table anyway. My main issue was having to fit one of those large tables that come with the external motor units. They seem to be about 5ft long?

I acquired a post machine in October that had to fit where a long arm patcher on a cast iron base had been. Bob Kovar (Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines) made me a custom fit table on steel legs that was just the right length to fit between the other two machines along that wall. The table top was professionally rounded with fresh protective banding. The servo motor, reducer, thread stand and bobbin winder were stock. He installed a floor pedal for the presser foot lifter. In all, it's a compact setup that is fully industrial, but in a very limited space. He could probably modify a standard 31-15 table to fit your room and fit it with a Family Sew servo motor.

[tofu]

Well, a few weeks later, I have an update.

I purchased the reliable barracuda from bed bath beyond because of their generous return policy. I am considering making use of that policy. 

 

The good:

The machine works -- it gets through anything I put under the foot. I've tried scrap veg tan straps of 6-7oz and it gets through it no problem. No skipped stitches, no problem. I do have a knockoff monster wheel installed ($79 on eBay).

 

The bad:

1) Took me 3 hours to set it up. This is my first "real" sewing machine, so I had to start research from scratch. The timing was off, needle position was too far out, motor bracket was too slack and needed to be adjusted so the belt won't slip.

2) Pedal control is weird. Sometimes even if the needle is in the air, the motor won't engage unless I manually spin the crank a bit. It seems it requires me to change the position. No buzz, no sound, just feels dead until I move it manually. 

3)Speed is also odd. I can't linearly ramp up the "throttle". I need to lay on it heavy then slow down otherwise it won't move. If I let it "buzz" too long at low throttle, it brings me back to issue #2 where the motor is just dead until I move the crank manually. 

4) I'm getting a lot of bobbin tangle, which doesn't affect my stitches. At the end of my sewing session, when it is time to pull the material away after lifting the foot, there are two or four threads going into the bobbin area which seem caught around the hook assembly or something. Doesn't affect my product, but it's annoying and scary wondering if you just screwed up 55" of leather that you just spend the past two hours cutting, gluing, and creasing

 

 

Conclusion: After spending about $500 after taxes, I am thinking of returning it all. I have an eBay claim opened on the crank because it is out of balance and the handle part isn't threaded, so I won't take any loss on that. And the barracuda is still within return period. 

In retrospect I can probably find a consew 206rb for around $500 and just top mount the servo motor (didn't know I could do that). 

 

Lesson learned.