Sewing Through Plywood

[29EssexRat]

Yeah been looking for a 132k6 to no avail. Theres so many makes and models i really just need a list of them. Or how model numbers denote sewing capacity.

[Bert51]

Sadly, any 132K6 I've seen, that is any good has a real good price on it.

Bert.

[Constabulary]

where are you located? Essex in the UK?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SINGER-132-K6-HEAVY-DUTY-SEWING-MACHINE/153660274459?hash=item23c6ddb71b:g:sQcAAOSwsVpdMGgU

Other than Singer 132K - check for Singer 45K

Edited October 6, 2019 by Constabulary

[Bert51]

Or an Adler 104 or 105, they all use the same needle as the Singers.

Would a size 25 needle be heavy enough?

[chrisash]

As you are only sewing the edges, then using a epoxy glue would not be expensive i guess and you can do small sections at a time, my understanding is that epoxy glues are far stronger than normal contact glue, but worth investigation i would have thought

Regarding the stitch line, that could be done first and then glued giving the effect you are looking for

[Wizcrafts]

A Union Lockstitch machine can punch through plywood. They were often used to sew luggage and cases in their day. Also, the Campbell Randall and Landis 3 and 16 can do this task. The reason is these are all needle and awl machines with powerful continuous run motors and giant flywheel pulleys. These old machines still cost thousands of dollars.

Aside from the needle and awl machines, I believe that a #26 or #27 needle would be needed in a closed eye needle machine, like the Cowboy and Cobra 441 clones. Or, maybe a #25 round point instead of leather point. Either way, the material should be glued to the wood before punching through or the wood will splinter on the bottom. If an upholstery machine was used, the hole in the feed dog would have to be large enough to clear a #25 needle. Also, the hook might need to be moved further away to clear the oversize needle.

I think the OP would be better off drilling the holes on a drill press, or with a hand drill.

[keithski122]

I have sewn vinyl to 3mm mdf using a juki 563, no special needle and my usual 20 thread.

Edited October 6, 2019 by keithski122

[29EssexRat]

I am in the US, Nebraska, so sadly couldn't pick up that one in the UK.

I have glued the whole thing down, the stitching is for added securement.

Couldn't find any adler, campbell and rand, or landus on eBay that came up with those part numbers. A couple of local ads popped up for a Singer 241-2 and a 78-1? Looks like there's a few posts about them on this forum, but make me feel like those aren't up to the task. I have a week and a half to find one, as I'm headed down to Kansas for work, will look around there too I suppose.

[Gymnast]

I like to link to one of the previous threads on in this forum on the subject:

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/66962-sewing-through-leather-and-plywood/?tab=comments#comment-436004

I notice that even Wiz back then wrote a comment, that he once sew plywood with a singer 15-91 with a 110/18 needle and V69 thread.

On ‎10‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 9:48 PM, Matt S said:

All of those machines you listed are domestic machines for sewing shirts and cushions, or garment weight industrials (for sewing shirts and cushions quickly). None of them are suitable for sewing plywood, even lighter stuff. Sadly eBay is full of mislead and misleading persons.

Well this got me a bit provoked, and now I tried sewing plywood on my Singer 201 domestic machine for sewing shirts. And I admit, that it is modified, and this is not for general long time use. This sewing is with a 140/22 regular needle, V138 polyester thread and 4 mm Finnish Plywood.  This is how it looks:

 

[Tejas]

Gymnast, if I understand correctly, at the end of your video you mention a youtube video you made about your machine. Would you please post a link to that video.