When to buy first leather sewing machine

[Kcstott]

I just picked up my second machine. 
Cobra Class 26. thank you Luanne. 
 

as yo the comment on hand vs machine sewing and knowing the difference. I’d say about 2% of the population that buys leather goods would have a clue & know what to look for. 
that said quality hand stitching can not be reviled.
but I’m over it. I’ll never hand stitch with thread again. 
I’ll buck stitch lace but that’s it. With the addition of a class 26 there is little I can’t handle. 
Shoes! I can’t Goodyear welt stitch a shoe.

but other than that I’m good  
  
 

[WannaBe]

There has been a lot of great advice from the members.  Thank you all for responding.  I have vacillated back and forth for some time and wanted input from the Pro's here.  You helped, probably more than any of you know.  I enjoy stitching by hand, and take pride in my stitching   But, while stitching, I have often wondered if it wouldn't be smarter to just go ahead and get a machine to help crank things out a little faster.   I know if I choose to do more work for hire that I will need to be a lot faster with my projects.  The common sense advice you have given has helped me decide to continue with hand sewing and trying to offer a truly unique bespoke item until such time as my choice of projects and the demand for them requires I move to a more production oriented model.  (Maybe never).

Thank you all again.  This is a wonderful forum with some exceptionally talented individuals who also happen to be kind and generous people.

[Handstitched]

@WannaBe

No worries mate , you're welcome  

You'll also notice that many of us have more than one machine . One machine won't do everything . 

The biggie I bought , 441 clone, not only does the heavy leathers, but also has done   some heavy webbing repairs, and an assortment of heavy repairs etc.  .  Just a quick example of  which direction you might go if you buy a machine.  But even that, won't do everything . 

Even though I have 4 machines, I still love handstitching, (as hard as it is on my hands at times ) but machines do help to speed things up a bit.  And,  buying a machine didn't mean I'd b turning my back on handstitching , that has certainly  not been the case, as I once thought   

"I enjoy stitching by hand, and take pride in my stitching"  I like that  

Only you know when you are ready . 

HS

Edited November 14, 2020 by Handstitched

[toxo]

OK the reason for a machine Vs handstitching is well established and accepted but in answer to the question "when do I buy one ", I would say "When you're sure about what you want it for". After faffing around trying to sew light stuff on my Adler I dug out mums old domestic and I love it. It just does the job. No complaints,  zig zag, buttonholes. It does the lot and goes through two layers of thin leather easily. I'm not suggesting you buy a domestic for leather, I'm just highlighting the fact that if you want one machine to do it all you'd better be sure about what the "all" is before you start looking. I know what machine Ill be sewing handbag lining with in future but I won't be getting rid of the adler or the Durkopp.

[Grumpymann]

TO be perfectly honest I will get my first machine when my wife says I can. And not a moment sooner.

[billybopp]

3 hours ago, Grumpymann said:

TO be perfectly honest I will get my first machine when my wife says I can. And not a moment sooner.

I'd have to agree, that IS the single most important factor to consider!

- Bill

[DonInReno]

There’s a lot of learning that can be done on a smaller upholstery model before you actually need a big leather machine.  Without an urgent need, there’s time to bargain shop, maybe even troubleshoot a fixer upper for even less money.    The nice thing about buying a quality used upholstery machine, even at market rate, is after all the practice and as much use as you care to give it, you’ll be able to sell it for what you bought it for.  That’s free..zilch...nadda...zip...

The learning curve going up from upholstery size walking foot machine to 441-class is not much on simple projects....of course the finer points on more difficult projects have learning curves all their own, but you won’t be learning the basics at the same time so even the more difficult challenges will seem more manageable.

Some people discover sewing is more fun than they thought and it opens up all sorts of new projects that aren’t feasible by hand sewing.   Others discover they hate sewing and would rather poke a needle in their eye!  Cheaper to learn on a FREE upholstery machine, than to take a $1000 hit in the depreciation of a big machine and all the related toys.