Sailrite Leatherwork Machine

[Dmcmanus]

Hi, I am new to leather sewing and am looking to buy a machine.  Does anyone have experience with the Sailrite Leatherwork machine?  It is in my price range but I am also open to suggestions.  I am planning on sewing bags and small items. Any input/advice would be appreciated.  Thank you,

Diane

[kgg]

Sailrite are generally expensive but have a good service reputation. This looks like their LS-1 painted green portable walking foot sewing machine placed in a table with a decent servo motor. The maximum thread size it can handle is V92. If I'm not mistaken they were once sold through Tandy stores. These portable machines were designed for sewing sail material not leather. Most portable walking foot sewing machines have very aggressive teeth on their feed dog and pressor foot and have a tendency to leave marks. For about the same money if all you need is a walking foot (feed dog, pressor foot) you could get a Juki DU-1181N ( max thread of V138) for about the same price.

Personally I would look at a triple feed machine where material is feed through by the feed dog, the needle and the pressor foot. I would recommend you look at upholstery class machines like the Juki DNU-1541S ( max thread of V138) for about $1800 or a clone triple feed maybe like a Consew 206RB-5 for about $1500.

Also I would recommend you visit a vendor and test drive a couple of machines with a sample of the materials and the thread you are planning on using. Just like cars there is also the used machine market where you can buy a good used machine at a reduced price.

Buy Once, Cry Once.

kgg

 

[LindanHotAir]

There are a lot of good triple feed machines on the used market. The Sailrite is less refined than the Singer 111 or 211, Consew, Juki, Mitsubishi, Seiko, and Brother machines. A 211W155 or 156 or the Japanese clones are all good options. The 155 is triple feed and the 156 is triple feed with reverse.  I have a 112W117 triple feed 2 needle (no reverse) that is about 100 years old. You should be able to find most of these machines in operating condition for $500 to $1000.

[Dmcmanus]

KGG,  Thank you for your advice.  I will take a look at some of your suggestions.  My thought on the Sailrite also had to do with the service as I am not very technical . There are so many choices but I am trying to keep in the lower price point.  It is great to have somewhere to ask questions.  Thanks again!

[Dmcmanus]

LindanHotAir,  Thank you for the information. I obviously want to make a wise choice.   I am going to do some research on your suggestions.  Not sure if I am responding correctly

[Pintodeluxe]

I have a Sailrite Leatherwork, as well as a Juki LU-563 and Consew 226.  The Leatherwork has a servo and even has a little speed reducer!  The tiny table is so cute, and can fit virtually anywhere.  Does it sew leather?  Sure.  The main limitations I've found is the foot lift is only 3/8", and it can sew about 5/16" of compressed leather.  The foot steppage isn't very high compared to the full industrials.  

But it does have fairly smooth knurled feet so it won't mark leather.  I use it on upholstery leather, where it does just fine.  It wouldn't take many layers of veg tanned leather to be too thick to sew.  

It definitely beats a home sewing machine, and might fit the bill for someone making belts, wallets or luggage tags in a limited space.

Cheers 

[PlanoMike]

On 6/12/2021 at 6:31 PM, kgg said:

Sailrite are generally expensive but have a good service reputation. This looks like their LS-1 painted green portable walking foot sewing machine placed in a table with a decent servo motor. The maximum thread size it can handle is V92. If I'm not mistaken they were once sold through Tandy stores. These portable machines were designed for sewing sail material not leather. Most portable walking foot sewing machines have very aggressive teeth on their feed dog and pressor foot and have a tendency to leave marks. For about the same money if all you need is a walking foot (feed dog, pressor foot) you could get a Juki DU-1181N ( max thread of V138) for about the same price.

Personally I would look at a triple feed machine where material is feed through by the feed dog, the needle and the pressor foot. I would recommend you look at upholstery class machines like the Juki DNU-1541S ( max thread of V138) for about $1800 or a clone triple feed maybe like a Consew 206RB-5 for about $1500.

Also I would recommend you visit a vendor and test drive a couple of machines with a sample of the materials and the thread you are planning on using. Just like cars there is also the used machine market where you can buy a good used machine at a reduced price.

Buy Once, Cry Once.

kgg

 

I too am looking at Sailrite, but I'm looking at the Leatherworker. That's Sailrite's version of the Tandy Pro Master Stitch. I called Sailrite about the thread 92 max size. The tech said it could stitch well with 138. Also, the dogs and pressor foot are smooth. Their reputation for service and repair parts availability is selling me. That's good enough for me.

[kgg]

1 hour ago, PlanoMike said:

That's Sailrite's version of the Tandy Pro Master Stitch.

If I am not mistaken the Tandy Pro Master is the Sailrite with a Tandy Label on it. I think you may find using a top thread of V138 and also V138 in the bobbin is going to be difficult. You may have better success using V138 top and V92 in the bottom but this all depends on what type of leather and how thick. The machine will max out on a # 22 needle which is the min. size needed to sew with V138 in soft material. For tough or thick material you need to go up at least a needle size to give a little space so the thread can form a loop properly or you get skipped stitches. It really comes down to what you would like to sew.

If you are liking the Sailrite line of machines I think their Fabricator would be a more overall robust machine. If availability of parts, accessories and build quality are the deciding factors by a Juki.

Buy Once, Cry Once.

kgg

 

[PlanoMike]

Thank you. Im taking in all suggestions.

[kgg]

13 minutes ago, PlanoMike said:

Thank you. Im taking in all suggestions.

Take all suggestions with a grain of salt. The best thing when investing a nice chunk of change into a machine is to visit some dealers with your stuff and give a few machines a run. Remember no one machine will do everything and that is why some have more then one machine.

kgg