Will Leather Sewing Machines Ever Go High-Tech?

[Gunnarsson]

18 hours ago, Kcstott said:

I don't know what it would take to make a Cobra Class 4 last 100 years but with proper maintenance im sure it could. 

The main casting on most sewing machines is probably good for it. And all the rest is just parts you can replace, as required. 

[NewfoundlandLaw]

On 2/28/2020 at 8:12 AM, Gunnarsson said:

The main casting on most sewing machines is probably good for it. And all the rest is just parts you can replace, as required. 

I think with regular oiling/maintenance my Cobra Class 4 or TechSew 2750 would easily out-live me.  It's really cool to see machines made in this day and age built with such quality. 
 

I am a fan of new technology.  I look at my Brother SE600, (cheap $500 machine which is extremely popular), and would love to have even 10% of its  options on a new leather capable machine.  Even a small selection of stitch patterns would be cool in a sub $5K machine. 
 

As for Bernina, they are a very high-end Swiss Company with an amazing reputation in the sewing world.  They are the only fabric sewing machine company I know of with customer service on par with companies like Cobra, Cowboy or TechSew.  Their machines are very pricey, but the build quality is stunning.  The only thing I can liken it to is my Wife's AMG Merccedes in terms of overall engineering. 
 

While I do long for a more feature laden machine for under $5k, I've been truly amazed by the customer service offered by TechSew and Cobra.  If I had to choose between high-tech features or stellar customer service, I'd pick customer service every time. 

[billybopp]

I doubt we'll see TOO much high tech on heavy duty machines that are affordable.  They're really built for industrial use where they will have specialized machines for each purpose, rather than multi-purpose machines as home light machines are.  Industrial leather machines have really beefy components, and to make those parts move back and forth the way a light duty home machine with fancy stitch patterns does would require super-beefy and really expensive parts and engineering.   Not to say it's impossible, but probably prohibitively expensive.  

- Bill

[mikesc]

It has been a while since Bernina's domestic machines were actually built in Switzerland..The pre "digital ones" were the last..and even then some of that pre digital production was being run in Thailand..

http://edgestitch.com/2018/02/where-is-this-sewing-machine-made/

They do ( did..been a long while since they stopped making it ) make a very nice industrial model ( smaller than the usual size industrial..similar in size to the Singer 20U series )with meta cams that sail makers and lingerie makers swear by for the triple step zig- zag..Nechi also do one , but the Bernina is nicer..

I agree with Bill..just look at the starting prices of the Juki's that have some digital programmed stitches available..and the cost of industrial embroidery machines..

Edited February 29, 2020 by mikesc
edited to correct China to Thailand..momentarily confused them with Husqvarna ( now part of SVP / Viking )who also own Singer and Pfaff.

[Colt W Knight]

Adler has some pretty techy stuff out now 

 

 

[mikesc]

Sailmaker friend of mine runs one of the newer very techy Adlers..long arm model with more automation than most cars..costs more than most new cars do too :)

[chrisash]

They have become Hi-Tec when you install the latest servo motor

[keithski122]

Vetron are getting pretty high tech.

 

[sbrownn]

I love "old iron" and every time I step up to my 125 year old Campbell Randall it makes my heart happy.  Then again, I love modern mechanical\electronic technology too and every time I throw my leg over my BMW 1250 GS it makes my heart race. 

[Hardrada]

Not into machines, but if I were, the last thing I'd need is having to download regular updates to it in order to keep it working.