Best Machine for Handbags and Satchels

[Bagdude]

Let me begin by saying that I’ve read quite a bit on the forums here. The good news is that I don’t see a lot of product bashing(very encouraging). It's been very educational. So, thanks in advance to everyone who’s contributed to this topic so far.

My dilemma...

I’ve been making handbags and shaving kit type bags out of cloth materials incorporating webbing and fusing products for rigidity. I’ve recently started playing with vinyl. Up till vinyl, my Janome machine worked just fine. (Why do I think some of you are grinning right now?!) The The Janome is a great machine, but it’s just not designed for layers of that type of material.

I watched a bunch of handbag makers on YouTube and many of them are using the Juki 1181N. I thought, “Well, that must be the one to get!” But not so fast… I called around and found the local guy in our area that services Juki industrial machines. He said that though the Juki 1181N would work, I should probably move on up to a “real” walking foot machine like the Juki 1541 especially if I wanted to move into leathers.

It’s amazing how the internet is full of so much information, but seems to be so limited in other areas. Getting information about industrial machines can be a bit exhausting. Of course, I now know that once you enter the industrial sewing machine arena that the machines all serve specific purposes, and we all know I want one that does it all!  But again, it doesn’t work that way. And I accept that.

So, I talked more with the service guy and asked him if he had a customer that’s doing what I want to get into? He gave me a local leather worker that makes lots of leather products including handbags. Of Course the leather worker said, “I get over 200 calls a year from people telling me they want to get into the handbag business and I’m going to tell you exactly what I told them.. Don’t do it! There’s no money in it, and the customers are very challenging and on and on and on…” He was actually a really nice guy, and I appreciated his honesty, but the truth is I’m getting into this because I enjoy it. I already have my own business, so I am not dependent on handbags as my income. It’s a creative outlet for me. (I am sure most of you appreciate where I’m coming from.)

After informing him that I was doing this for myself and using it as a creative outlet, he then started talking to me about exactly what I was wanting to do, and the materials I wanted to use. Though the service guy recommended Juki, the leather worker recommended LeatherMachineco’s Cobra 26. I had never heard of this company, but then again why would I have? I wasn’t doing anything with leather, and it was all very new to me. I mean think about it… up until last week I thought VEG leather was some kind of vegetarian leather... well you get the point. =)

So, after reading further in the forums I then starting seeing posts indicating that the Cobra 26 was just a clone of a Juki Model(some number goes here) and that there are 2 other clones(TechSew and something else) and yada yada yada.

One of the most important aspects to me besides having the right tool for the job is having a tool that has great support. The local leather worker spoke very highly of the support he got on his Cobra 26. Additionally, the Juki service guy in the area seemed very knowledgeable as well regarding Juki products. I’ve also heard great things about Tech Sew.

Many of the bag makers I spoke with and followed aren’t really working with leather. So, they are not very familiar with leather sewing machines.

One feature that I like regarding the Cobra 26 was the ability to attach the flatbed when needed.

So here I am floating in a sea of indecision trying to make the best choice. If I've left something off the list then please let me know.

 

I’d love to hear any/all advice comments, concerns, thoughts from y’all.

 

[earla]

I purchased a Cobra Class 26 from Springfield Leather Company several months ago after several months of research.  It was shipped directly from the Leather Machine Company via R&L Carriers  - I received it well packaged and in perfect condition about one week after ordering.  Professionalism and support  from both Springfield Leather and the Leather Machine Company has been excellent with my only two questions answered in one phone call.   The quoting and purchase process with Springfield Leather was super smooth and helpful too.  Springfield has a nice free  "Leather Machine Guide"  that has lots of good information found here - https://www.springfieldleather.com/leather-machinery

Similar to you, I make a variety of bags, small leather items, and items using heavy fabrics like canvas, waxed canvas and Cordura 1000.   I have many hours of experience with heavy domestic machines like the Pfaff 130 - The Cobra Class 26 is my first industrial machine, however, the experience gained from the heavy domestic machines has been super helpful.   

My Cobra Class 26 sewed perfectly with size 138 nylon right out of the box.  I use size 138 nylon and size 92 polyester.   Fil-Tec 92 Polyester sews perfectly on this machine.  The Cobra Class 26 machine is super smooth and quite - everything seems to be adjusted perfectly.   No skipped stitches and back stitching is perfect.  Sewing the edges of bags is super nice with the cylinder arm.   Documentation supplied for the machine is OK if you have a little  previous experience.  The supplied instruction sheets for the bobbin / case were for a different type /older machine and the Schmetz needle size sticker on the front of the machine was not correct, so watch out for that if you purchase.  Al Bane's YouTube channel has lots of good stuff on the Class 26 and some cool sewing tricks. 

The supplied one leg foot works great - you can get very close to the edge of your material.  The servo motor supplied can sew very slowly.  I gave it even smoother control by extending the control arm an inch or so.  I very much like the compact heavy duty stand supplied with the machine.  

The removable table attachment works great and is quick to attach after you get it adjusted, however, I find myself using the machine more and more without it. 

I use various sizes of 135 X 17 needles for fabric and 135 X 16 diamond point needles for leather.  I use Groz-Beckert and Schmetz needles.  Needles and thread are very reasonably priced on The Thread Exchange - there is superb documentation on this site about thread types, strength, recommended needles, etc.  I did purchase some cording feet for making cushions - these also work well and can be left on the machine for general sewing if you wish.

Overall, I'm super happy with the Cobra Class 26 and the vendors involved.

[Bagdude]

Thanks for your input!