Help required regarding choosing right machine

[chrisash]

Unless things have changed a lot since i was last in the UEA, I have doubts you will be able to find any machines suitable there and may have to import them from either the far east or europe

Wiz has a good guide to what is required on the industrial sewing machine pages of the forum

I would suggest the first thing is to select what items you hope to make as a start so that you can then decide on the leather type, thickness and thread requirements to make those items, using this forum for assistance

Alibaba.com may be a good place to start for sewing machines from the far east

Best of luck and welcome to the forum

[Handstitched]

@Sangrati You may also find that many of us, myself included, have more than one machine  for different applications, assembly processes and  leather thicknesses . Perhaps find a machine thats suits your needs in the immediate sense, what it is you want to sew now?  , and  maybe later, if another machine comes up in the future ,  you may wish to get another one. 

BTW, hate to scare ya, but  it literally  took me months to finally settle on a machine,but this forum may help to speed things up, .......I now have 4 machines...choices choices   

Good luck in  your search , 'all good things come to those who wait' . I think thats how it goes  

HS 

[Sangrati]

6 hours ago, chrisash said:

Unless things have changed a lot since i was last in the UEA, I have doubts you will be able to find any machines suitable there and may have to import them from either the far east or europe

Wiz has a good guide to what is required on the industrial sewing machine pages of the forum

I would suggest the first thing is to select what items you hope to make as a start so that you can then decide on the leather type, thickness and thread requirements to make those items, using this forum for assistance

Alibaba.com may be a good place to start for sewing machines from the far east

Best of luck and welcome to the forum

You are right. I spoke with couple of people here but they have no clue.  One suggested me to bring leather and test on the machine. I am planning to start making wallets, Specially designed mobile covers and small bags.  I am still wondering about the process of making wallets having very thin thread sewing and very thin leather inner to accommodate lot of pockets.  I feel, I need to learn a lot before I can do something worthy.

Regards

[Sangrati]

1 hour ago, Handstitched said:

@Sangrati You may also find that many of us, myself included, have more than one machine  for different applications, assembly processes and  leather thicknesses . Perhaps find a machine thats suits your needs in the immediate sense, what it is you want to sew now?  , and  maybe later, if another machine comes up in the future ,  you may wish to get another one. 

BTW, hate to scare ya, but  it literally  took me months to finally settle on a machine,but this forum may help to speed things up, .......I now have 4 machines...choices choices   

Good luck in  your search , 'all good things come to those who wait' . I think thats how it goes  

HS 

Yes I am searching on Ali baba. I think I can buy one from there but again, I am not sure if the Walking foot machine can sew with very thin thread.  Wish there was some one here where I could go and check my self and then decide. 

Regards

[Handstitched]

1 hour ago, Sangrati said:

I am not sure if the Walking foot machine can sew with very thin thread

Yes they can . I have an old,  but albeit strong Seiko STW 28B  walking foot machine   that I repair horse rugs with (  as well as sew medium leathers, wallets,  upholstery etc.) , and the threads I use are a #40 bonded poly UV .  Its an industrial thread, very strong,   it can also go through a domestic machine .  Serafil threads are really good too , another thread I use. 

HS 

[chrisash]

Have you considered hand stitching,its very rewarding and fine for the smaller items like wallets and even belts, youtube would be a great place to learn the skills and also get design templates along with etsy.com

The thread you need for leather sewing by machine starts at 69 thread in bonded nylon or polyester and goes up in size to normally 138 for heavier items, the very heavy duty machines like the 441 go much thicker thread but over kill for many items like wallets and bags etc see here

https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html

Edited August 7, 2019 by chrisash

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, Sangrati said:

You are right. I spoke with couple of people here but they have no clue.  One suggested me to bring leather and test on the machine. I am planning to start making wallets, Specially designed mobile covers and small bags.  I am still wondering about the process of making wallets having very thin thread sewing and very thin leather inner to accommodate lot of pockets.  I feel, I need to learn a lot before I can do something worthy.

I don't usually direct members away from here, but in your case, I recommend visiting our Sewing Leather forum first. Ask questions and read topics and replies to get a better understanding of the thicknesses of wallets and the best sizes of thread and which needles to use to sew them together. Hand sewing is also discussed in that forum. Once you understand the techniques and thread/needle sizes vs thicknesses to be sewn, come back here for a machine recommendation.

You may have to import a suitable machine if none are to be found locally. Importing is tricky business because you may end up having to do all the work of de-greasing,  assembling, timing and adjusting the machine before it actually sews. In essence, you may become the "dealer" for legal purposes. That leaves you on your own if things go wrong, or parts are damaged, or you can't get it to sew.

If possible, try to find a company, in your country, that produces leather goods. Such a company might be willing to share sources for machines with you. They may even sell you one of their used - but still functioning - machines that has already been replaced with a new one. But, beware of bottom feed, high speed garment sewing machines. They will be of no use to you as a leathercrafter.

If it does come down to importing a brand new machine, complete with a table and proper (servo) motor for your electricity, stick to known brands, like Juki, Cowboy/Hightex, Seiko/Consew, Adler and Pfaff. Some of these companies may offer an option of paying a little more to have the machine setup with your desired thread and sewn off in a certain thickness of leather (within its capacity) before it is shipped.

[Sangrati]

22 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

I don't usually direct members away from here, but in your case, I recommend visiting our Sewing Leather forum first. Ask questions and read topics and replies to get a better understanding of the thicknesses of wallets and the best sizes of thread and which needles to use to sew them together. Hand sewing is also discussed in that forum. Once you understand the techniques and thread/needle sizes vs thicknesses to be sewn, come back here for a machine recommendation.

You may have to import a suitable machine if none are to be found locally. Importing is tricky business because you may end up having to do all the work of de-greasing,  assembling, timing and adjusting the machine before it actually sews. In essence, you may become the "dealer" for legal purposes. That leaves you on your own if things go wrong, or parts are damaged, or you can't get it to sew.

If possible, try to find a company, in your country, that produces leather goods. Such a company might be willing to share sources for machines with you. They may even sell you one of their used - but still functioning - machines that has already been replaced with a new one. But, beware of bottom feed, high speed garment sewing machines. They will be of no use to you as a leathercrafter.

If it does come down to importing a brand new machine, complete with a table and proper (servo) motor for your electricity, stick to known brands, like Juki, Cowboy/Hightex, Seiko/Consew, Adler and Pfaff. Some of these companies may offer an option of paying a little more to have the machine setup with your desired thread and sewn off in a certain thickness of leather (within its capacity) before it is shipped.

Thank you sir for valuable advice.  Now I will follow your advice.

 

Regards

On 8/7/2019 at 7:25 PM, chrisash said:

Have you considered hand stitching,its very rewarding and fine for the smaller items like wallets and even belts, youtube would be a great place to learn the skills and also get design templates along with etsy.com

The thread you need for leather sewing by machine starts at 69 thread in bonded nylon or polyester and goes up in size to normally 138 for heavier items, the very heavy duty machines like the 441 go much thicker thread but over kill for many items like wallets and bags etc see here

https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html

Thank you sir.

Regards

[Sangrati]

On 8/7/2019 at 7:18 PM, Handstitched said:

Yes they can . I have an old,  but albeit strong Seiko STW 28B  walking foot machine   that I repair horse rugs with (  as well as sew medium leathers, wallets,  upholstery etc.) , and the threads I use are a #40 bonded poly UV .  Its an industrial thread, very strong,   it can also go through a domestic machine .  Serafil threads are really good too , another thread I use. 

HS 

Thanks sir.

Regards