Please give your opinion on my sewing machine purchase

[Louiesdad]

 

 

I am buying a sewing machine to use for leather and heavy tarping work.  I want a bullet proof machine and it will be well maintained.

What do you think of these and my choice?

I have offers on an Adler 205 370 Juki 441 Cowboy 4500 and Cobra 4P all are 2nd hand with the clones having no warranties because I am second owner.

The Adler is 35, the Japan/Juki is 39 cowboy 4500 and cobra 4p  are in 23-25 area. The Adler has log book showing 70 hrs use before taken out of service, the Juki was run for 6 mos in a limited production application and has maintenance records also. The clones are newer very little or no use by their owners.

All machines have 6500 or 7500 watt 110V servo mtrs, speed reduction capabilities, offset stands, walking feet, accessory lights ect, (very similar setups on all) plus both the Adler and Juki come with 12 month warranties. 

I am driving to pickup anyone, I buy.

I am leaning towards buying the Adler or Juki for their reputation and durability. Any valid reason to buy a clone when these are in my range?

About me:  I would buy used Snap-On tools before I would buy new craftsman/husky type stuff.  If there were a bullet proof, currently made in USA machine, I would entertain buying one.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Edited July 18, 2019 by Louiesdad
mispelling

[Hildebrand]

I guess my suggestion would be to look at what is available for service after the sale.  I would want to make sure I was saving a considerable amount if I was giving up service at the time of and after the sale.  Not sure about the Adler and Juki but both the Cowboy and Cobra have dealers who are sponsors on here and have great reputations for helping with and after the sale.

Todd

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Louiesdad said:

If there were a bullet proof, currently made in USA machine, I would entertain buying one.

Have you looked into the Made in the USA Campbell Randal Lockstitch, or Union Lockstitch machines? They are under the auspices of the Campbell-Randall Company, in Texas. Both use a needle and awl with a jump foot. These are leather sewing machines only.

[Louiesdad]

4 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

Have you looked into the Made in the USA Campbell Randal Lockstitch, or Union Lockstitch machines? They are under the auspices of the Campbell-Randall Company, in Texas. Both use a needle and awl with a jump foot. These are leather sewing machines only.

I need for heavy sail canvas, winter cover canvas, and leather. They do sell Juki though.

[Louiesdad]

14 minutes ago, Hildebrand said:

I guess my suggestion would be to look at what is available for service after the sale.  I would want to make sure I was saving a considerable amount if I was giving up service at the time of and after the sale.  Not sure about the Adler and Juki but both the Cowboy and Cobra have dealers who are sponsors on here and have great reputations for helping with and after the sale.

Todd

Thought about that, I get factory service from either company, while under warranty. Nothing from the cobra or cowboy because they are "like new" 2nd hand.

 

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Louiesdad said:

I am buying a sewing machine to use for leather and heavy tarping work.  I want a bullet proof machine

Canvas sewing machines are different than leather sewing machines. Ignore my mention of needle and awl machines. Bullet proof machinery is hard to find. but I would say that the closest I know of are the Adler ECO and Classic series machines sold by authorized Adler USA dealers (like Weaver Leather). They make flatbed, long body and cylinder arm machines with single or double needles, some with automatic trimmers and backtacking. These are regarded as the creme of the crop in some circles. Enter here and look around!

[Cumberland Highpower]

I'd go for the Juki.

The adler 205 is good as well, but they had 2 different throat depths. (Weaver sold both the grey shallow and later deeper throat model before they were discontinued). 

I've used both and actually prefer the Juki, but not by a huge margin. It may make a difference for canvas/tarp work.   I would NOT buy any Chinese clone.  If nothing else,  they'd be harder to get rid of when you dont want it..... If you want to compare tools it's like comparing SK to...Harbor Freight.

Those Adler ECO referenced above are pretty neat and have lots of good depth/clearance.  They also have a needle Pos. System...But are like 7-8k new and Kinda hard to justify unless you plan to run it all day every day.

I believe the Juki 441 is still made, and at least the last new one I saw was made in Japan. 

Edited July 19, 2019 by Cumberland Highpower

[cdthayer]

32 minutes ago, Cumberland Highpower said:

The adler 205 is good as well, but they had 2 different throat depths. (Weaver sold both the grey shallow and later deeper throat model before they were discontinued). 

Can you expand on that a little for me? You're saying that the Adler 205-370 came out in two different throat depths?

CD in Oklahoma

[kgg]

Either the Alder or Juki I think would be great choices both have solid, precision made machines and reputations to match. If it was me with both machines in similar condition and could do what I wanted / needed I would probably choose the Juki 441 for cost and availability of replacement parts as well as accessories like binders / folders etc. Everyone seems to make items based around the Juki machines and copy their sewing machines regardless of class of machine. Another major point for me would be the factory service during the machines warranty period which you stated is available from both Alder and Juki that is just icing on the cake.

4 hours ago, Louiesdad said:

About me:  I would buy used Snap-On tools before I would buy new craftsman/husky type stuff. 

I would consider either the Alder or the Juki to be like the Snap-On tools.

1 hour ago, Cumberland Highpower said:

I would NOT buy any Chinese clone.  If nothing else,  they'd be harder to get rid of when you dont want it.....

I would buy an older brand name machine (Alder, Juki, Singer, Pfaff ) any day over buying a new clone. Resale value is always going to be a consideration and 5/10/15 years down the road when your needs / wants change either the Alder or Juki will sell faster for more money then a similar class clone. The list of available clones is endless with the quality of some clones being better then others. Will parts even be available for some of the clones in 15 / 20 years down the road, I guess only time will tell.

4 hours ago, Louiesdad said:

If there were a bullet proof, currently made in USA machine, I would entertain buying one.

It is sad that there are no North American made machines to choose from in this class of machine.

kgg

 

 

[brmax]

We really might be talking two distinctly different needs with regards to leather and canvas heavy tarps. 

Can you help with your 90% of the time tarp weight and a thread you want or need, appreciate it.  With that I do understand the brief need of cylinder arm requirement! in canvas work. 

In all this branding hoopla, I understand kgg. Theres just know way we can give holidays and benefits as we do, with the added hr, we have as a nation worked up to. 

Though these first brands mentioned weather copied early or late have proven  themselves. It doesn't come overnight, as any professional learns, and then gets relied on for. Whats this you say!

Its getting the task done under stress in situations with restrictions and being able to use experience ( yes experience matters ) to finalize the assigned or commissioned product goal on time.

Hey its Friday

See ya later man

Floyd

 

no offense intended: i run a cobra and juki but many sewing factories in china run Juki and DA