Overwhelmed by leather Sewing machines

[Starwind0]

Hey ya'll. So I want my first leather sewing machine. I do leather working for fun. a ton of double sided straps and belts, wallets, and I want to make a few personal bags. I think i can justify a sewing machine if I can also use it for non leather goods, which is a topic that I do not see covered (or maybe its thats what "adjustable presser distance" means). In addition I live in apartments, and while my current place is sound proof I plan to move out in a few months

Originally I had been stalking craigslist but I am not seeing a machine that is the right fit

 

All I really know is I need 1) a band where I can get parts easily, and is reliable. 2) Easy to use... but I build 3d printers for fun so by easy I mean less likely to end up sewn to my leather. 3) If it is a cylinder arm, that it has a flat table adjustment... and 4) has a quite type of motor. I want to spend 800 if it was used and 1500ish if it was new. I don't think I could easily justify 2k as I can build a CNC for around that.
Is there anything else I am missing? Suggestions ideas? I am just overwhelmed, and frankly sick of these obviously sponsored youtube videos. I know there are likely similar questions but I didn't see any talking about doing non leather as well. 

 

Thanks!

[kgg]

Take a trip to your local brick /mortar dealer with samples of your stuff and see what fits your needs / budget. Used machines look for brand names like Juki, Singer, Pfaff, Alder etc. be wary of clone machines. New machines look for a reputable dealer with a excellent track record as close to you as possible. If you want a machine up and running then stay away from buying online from certain sites unless you are prepared to do your own assembly / repairs with little or no support. Remember no machine will do everything but initially choose one that does most of your stuff in your price range.

kgg

[chrisash]

Make sure you get a servo motor as the clutch ones are noisy and constantly on

Industrial machines are very heavy 30kg is not unusual, might be easier getting a low cost domestic model for the non leather sewing rather than trying to find a industrial which will do light work and leather

[kgg]

I agree with chrisash on servo motor and weight. It is nice to have machines setup to do basically one function and I do find that with the compound feed I have if I have to do something light and am to lazy to dig out a lighter machine I have to be really careful and really dump down the Juki 1451S.

kgg

[TacticallySharp]

Look a the vendors at the top of the site...

I like the Cobra Class 3 for all my work. Call Steve the owner, and he will help you find the best one in your budget range for you. Even if its brand not carried by him. In some instances he may be able to help you find financing that will help you, especially if you have enough to put down to get as low a rate as possible. Hope this helps you...

[TonyRV2]

I just recently went through this same dilemma and asked much the same question, as have countless others apparently have, as to what the "best machine" for sewing leather would be. I was duly thrashed for my ignorance. Well, perhaps thrashed is too strong a word. There is no one machine that is going to do everything, which explains the variety of styles of machines...posts, cylinders, and flat beds basically. I'm certainly no expert when it comes to sewing machines, but I can relate what I've learned so far. Post and cylinder style machines are for thicker leathers, flat bed for thinner leather. All machines have limits as to the size of thread and the thickness of leather that they can handle. It behooves you to study thread sizes and the typical threads that are used for the projects that you do. That, and the thicknesses of the leather you use will give you a better insight as to which machine will best suit your immediate needs. More than a few people said that I should start off with a cylinder arm machine like a Cobra 4 or a Cowboy CB3200 or CB4500. These machines are well suited to the knife sheaths, belts and holsters that I make. Not so well suited though for my thinner projects like handbags and such. I did wind up purchasing a Cowboy CB3200 knowing it was limited on the thin stuff down to about 6oz of stacked leather with a comfortable minimum thread size of #138 thread. It will sew up to 5/8" of stacked leather.  I then went ahead and also purchased a Juki 1541 flatbed machine for the thinner stuff. It's good for up to 3/8" material but more importantly, it will handle very thin materials as well and can use #69 up to #138 thread, so its a great complement to the other machine.
Both machines have servo drives which is important in terms of being quiet and also for speed control. The Cowboy also has a speed reducer which makes stitching slowly, but still with a lot of torque, very easy. I also looked over the used market for months before just purchasing new machines. Cylinder arm machines are a rarity, and most flatbeds looked to me like they'd been run through the mill. I finally fell back on an old lesson I'd learned many times before...buy once, cry once.

[bikermutt07]

As long as you aren't doing holsters..... The consew 206rb comes to mind I have a 206rb-1. The last number mostly deals with the oiling system. Mine is a wicking style. 

The newer ones have a pump which may or may not run enough to properly oil the machine since we sew leather slowly. 

I'm totally not an expert. I'm actually still pretty terrified of it and the 3200 I have. 

Just some of my thoughts. The consew on the used market can be pretty cost effective and most of the accessories (that I know of) are commonly available as singer 111 parts.

It will sew 169 top and bottom and see 207 on top with 169 on bottom. 

Both of these threads should be suitable for common belts and straps, but not tack.

[JSage]

If you haven't, read this post by "Wizcrafts"

" The Type Of Sewing Machine You Need to Sew Leather"

 Posted under leather sewing machines. Its a wealth of information and may answer some of your questions. Was a great help to me.

 

JD

[kgg]

3 hours ago, bikermutt07 said:

It will sew 169 top and bottom and see 207 on top with 169 on bottom.

Did you mean V69 rather then 169?

kgg

[bikermutt07]

1 hour ago, kgg said:

Did you mean V69 rather then 169?

kgg

Sorry, no. I meant 138.