Looking for cylinder arm for leatherbag making. Necchi 840-100

[luxuryluke]

This is part two of many posts like this until I find a machine for me and get a handle more on leather machine sin gnereal. It’s rare that a nice used cylinder arm machine becomes available around here. I’ve started prototyping bag patterns to sell. Both vegtan and chrome tanned. I've posted about Pfaff and other cylinder arm machines available on Craigslist previously. 

Spotted this machine available nearby. Has anyone used a Necchi cylinder arm machine for leather bag making? 

This is the Necchi 840-100 model. Looks brand new despite its age. It’s a lower barrier to entry for me rather than a new machine, but obviously there’s no warranty. Seller says they have spare parts and manual. Clearly I’d need to add a servo and speed reducer.

Question:

1. how rare are these parts?

2. Is this a good machine for a person like me?

3. what do you think it’s worth?

Any info is helpful. Thanks.

 

Edited February 25, 2019 by luxuryluke
Added info, considerations

[Wizcrafts]

It has what appears to be a synchronized binder attachment on the arm. Some binder machines have a special feed dog motion that is not conducive to feeding material without the binder. You need to check if the feed dog actually cycles backward, down, forward, then up, or if it just moves forward and backward (for loading edge bias tape).

Other than that I know nothing about this machine. Ask the seller what they used it for and how it sews. Ask about the range of thread and needle sizes they have used. It may be too light duty for leather, or not.

[dikman]

Looks very similar to a Pfaff 335? The arm and binding attachment certainly looks like the Pfaff version. As Wiz pointed out, being a binder it's highly likely that the feed dog only moves back and forth and may be smooth. It could be a handy machine to have (if the price is right), but perhaps not if it's going to be your only machine.

[kgg]

The machine looks in really nice shape but my concern would be repair parts since Necchi don't seem to be that common of a machine.

kgg

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

31 minutes ago, kgg said:

The machine looks in really nice shape but my concern would be repair parts since Necchi don't seem to be that common of a machine.

kgg

Italian manufacturer company, top quality machine, zero parts they are no longer in business.

[luxuryluke]

7 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

It has what appears to be a synchronized binder attachment on the arm…

Yes, the seller states they’ll be switching it back to regular operation. 

Thanks, everyone, that’s very helpful feedback! I’ll share any extra info I find about it. Until then, look at this performance:

 

[shoepatcher]

It sure looks like Pfaff made this machine for Necchi.

[luxuryluke]

9 hours ago, shoepatcher said:

It sure looks like Pfaff made this machine for Necchi.

Indeed. Is Pfaff the originator of this shape/type of cylinder machine or is Adler? Or even someone else?

[dikman]

I noticed that when sewing 12 mm of leather it stopped feeding partway through, too much of a load I would think.

" Yes, the seller states they’ll be switching it back to regular operation. " I'd want to find out exactly what he means by that, just what parts are going to be restored.

[RockyAussie]

If your bag designs can use a binder it would be likely quite useful. It is very 335 style and they can be very helpful in making up to medium weight bags. These bags below I made with one.