Sailrite Leatherwork Machine

[ChipperBags]

I’m thinking about getting the Sailrite Leatherwork machine.  This would be a brand new machine as you cannot find them used.

I have also considered the Consew 226R, which spun like butter.  Old and used, but gone through by a professional.

Then I watched a video by Little King Goods at something like that and he suggested that if you are just getting started, get a compound feed cylinder arm machine with table attachment.

I love the way the Sailrite setup looks and the control that is demonstrated.  I also Loved the Consew 226.  The only complaint with the Consew was the G size bobbin.

The only thing about the Sailrite I don’t like is the lack of a Compound feed foot.

If anyone who has actually used the Sailrite (Leatherwork) and a 226 (or Similar) would give me their thoughts, that would be great!

Ideally I need something that will

let me go around the circle sides on the barrel bags I want to make.  And gussets but if the Leatherwork can do those jobs then that would be all I need.  Also, I plant to use a variety of sizes of thicknesses all the way up to sometime using 10 oz Bridle leather.

Overall I’m looking for opinions from people with experience using the machines for making wallets, bags, sheaths, totes etc.

Thank you,

Chip from

CHIPPER BAGS

[kgg]

58 minutes ago, ChipperBags said:

I’m thinking about getting the Sailrite Leatherwork machine.

Keep in mind that no one machine will do everything. The Leatherwork (~$1400 usd) which is a flatbed that is basically a Sailrite LS-1 straight stitch machine put into a short table with a nice 12 coil servo motor. That machine can handle up to a #20 needle so the max size of thread for that size of needle is V92. These portable sewing machines were originally designed as a on board sail cloth repair machine. It probably can sew up to a max thickness of 1/4" of material. They do have there place as all machines do but it would not be my first choice.

Since you are planning on sewing bag type items a cylinder arm machine would I think be a better choice in the Juki LS-341 or Juki LS-1341 class with a flatbed attachment. There are many clones in this class so you will have lots to choose from either in the new or used market.

Buy Once, Cry Once

kgg

 

[ChipperBags]

20 hours ago, kgg said:

Keep in mind that no one machine will do everything. The Leatherwork (~$1400 usd) which is a flatbed that is basically a Sailrite LS-1 straight stitch machine put into a short table with a nice 12 coil servo motor. That machine can handle up to a #20 needle so the max size of thread for that size of needle is V92. These portable sewing machines were originally designed as a on board sail cloth repair machine. It probably can sew up to a max thickness of 1/4" of material. They do have there place as all machines do but it would not be my first choice.

Since you are planning on sewing bag type items a cylinder arm machine would I think be a better choice in the Juki LS-341 or Juki LS-1341 class with a flatbed attachment. There are many clones in this class so you will have lots to choose from either in the new or used market.

Buy Once, Cry Once

kgg

 

What used market?  I’ve been looking, but perhaps not in the right places.

Today I did look at the Cowboy CB341 and it seems very close to the Sailrite specs, except it has the cylinder arm.

Also, I have a question for you: what does “buy once, cry once” mean?

Thanks ,

Chip from 

CHIPPER BAGS

[kgg]

40 minutes ago, ChipperBags said:

Also, I have a question for you: what does “buy once, cry once” mean?

Don't cheap out and buy a machine based on price alone. Buy the best machine for what you are planning on sewing and remember no one machine will do everything well. That is why some have more then one machine. There is nothing worst then buying a machine, irregardless of price, that is not capable of doing what you want or are prone to problems. Those machines are soon replaced usually at a dollar loss. If you buy a brand name machine you will pay more up front but if you decide at some point to replace the machine a brand name machine (Juki, Adler, Pfaff, etc) will command more dollars and be easier to sell on the used market.

 

40 minutes ago, ChipperBags said:

Today I did look at the Cowboy CB341 and it seems very close to the Sailrite specs, except it has the cylinder arm.

Trying to compare the Cowboy CB341 which is a industrial class 341 / 1341 to the Sailrite Leatherworker which is not an industrial machine is like comparing apples and oranges.

If you can only afford one machine buy a industrial class cylinder bed with a flatbed attachment and as time goes on invest in an industrial flatbed machine.

kgg

Edited October 18, 2022 by kgg

[ChipperBags]

Thanks, mfg!

[GritMercantile]

We started out with the Stitch Master (Leather Worker). We sold it earlier this year and I still miss it. It was replaced with a Techsew 4800 Pro. We found that once you get used to how the machine works it can do a pretty good job sewing things. Sailrite has a good library of presser feet and feed dogs to accommodate most materials. We purchased ours when they went on sale for $999 right before COVID. We don't regret our purchase. It was a great machine to get started on and if you know the limitations you will be good. The only two gripes I had was a a max of 92 thread (prefer 138) and it was not a compound walking foot. Parts, service etc are prevalent and support for the Sailrite machines is really good.

[ChipperBags]

Okay, so I am having trouble finding machines in the used market.  I’m open to any machine that will fit the work and do it with great stitches.

The local Artisan dealer went up to the 246VA and sent me a clip of his personal machine running through some webbing.  Well the stitches were NOT super great and it even looked like it missed a stitch.  I just can’t justify spending that kind of money on something that is going to skip stitches.  And he didn’t answer my questions.

The other dealer here is not responding to me.

These 2 things alone are pushing me more towards the Sailrite.  The Fabricator is currently $1,795.  The Leatherwork is only $1,395.  That is a difference of $400.  You include shipping for around $55 and then add taxes and you are up to $1,554.53 for the Leatherwork and more than $400 difference by the time you are done.

I have looked a lot of places… what am I missing in searching for a good, used machine???

[Wizcrafts]

@ChipperBags- I am trying to understand what you plan to sew, so I can give a meaningful recommendation. You seem to be looking into various types of sewing machines, from a portable flatbed dual feed Sailrite Leatherworker or Fabricator to a cylinder arm compound feed Cowboy or Artisan. Then there's your used machine search that isn't going anywhere fast. Can you define the materials and thickness to be sewn for me?

I recommend you do as much research as possible before buying a new machine. If you buy the wrong machine for your work you may have to try to sell it off and buy a different machine. I wasted a lot of time and money looking for the right machines when I started out sewing leather. 

[ChipperBags]

21 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

@ChipperBags- I am trying to understand what you plan to sew, so I can give a meaningful recommendation. You seem to be looking into various types of sewing machines, from a portable flatbed dual feed Sailrite Leatherworker or Fabricator to a cylinder arm compound feed Cowboy or Artisan. Then there's your used machine search that isn't going anywhere fast. Can you define the materials and thickness to be sewn for me?

I recommend you do as much research as possible before buying a new machine. If you buy the wrong machine for your work you may have to try to sell it off and buy a different machine. I wasted a lot of time and money looking for the right machines when I started out sewing leather. 

I want to sew leather bags, and canvas/leather bags (based on some designs I have in my head) and ones I have seen online.  I will probably do some wallets, as most do.  Little ones, probably.  As far as machines I have been thinking about:

1. Leatherwork by Sailrite.  This is the non-portable flat bed hybrid.  It has the workhorse servo motor, a 24" table and the LS-1 Sailrite (in green) as well as a small speed reducer.  It is a complete package that is pretty nicely decked out and superbly supported.
2. Sailrite Fabricator?  No, not really.  I cannot afford this machine.
3. Consew 226R.  This one was used and was a local dealer.  Unfortunately, he never got a chance to put it together as the sewer line blew out under his floor.
4. Technicall the PFAFF under #5 below is also a flat bed machine.

At this point, I realized (due to information gathered here and elsewhere) that perhaps the BEST option would be a cylinder arm, compound feed machine. 

1. Consew 227R, nothing affordable
2. Tech Sew 2750 (recommended by a bunch of leather people here and on YouTube), again, not really in my budget
3. Started looking at the Yamata YF-335B.  Again, while really close to my budget, once shipping was added, it blew that out of the water.
4. Cowboy 341, which was suggested here.  Again, pricey.
5. Artisan 335 from a local dealer.  Well, he does not sell those any more because he doesn't like them (or they are discontinued), so he switched to the Artisan 246 (w/Reverse). And that is a nice machine, but again, over my budget.  Also, he sent me a 30 sec video of the machine stitching and the quality was not there.  Maybe it was not setup that well, I don't know.
6. And last night I found, on eBay a PFAFF 145 C-3.  This would work, but it was a 'barn find' and needs to be 'cleaned up' but I think that German engineering (and simple design) would be great.
7. There is a New Tech GC-8B for $1,399 with free shipping on eBay, but that is a Chinese machine and I have no idea, but I think that will also have to include taxes.  But, heck, so is the Tech Sew and "Little King Goods" and Parker of "Whit & Park" use those as well as other machines.

Now, that is the gambit.  Small Portable (non) Hybrid, flat bed Industrial machines and cylinder machines.

Like everybody says: "No one machine is going to do it all."  Which is why most of you have more than one and you have listed 11.  I'm just starting out.  My wife says I always pick expensive hobbies.  What I am looking for is something to do in my retirement that can bring me in some income as well as be a nice hobby to do.  I don't think I will ever become a power house like "Whit & Park" but I do love their videos!  Just look at it as my 'First Machine'.  And if I can make some money, I can get other tools/toys.

Because the used market situation is really bad as they are priced at the same cost as a brand new machine.  I am leaning heavily towards the Sailrite Leatherwork.  Which will run me $1,554.53.  It will be shipped to me in three boxes, I will put it together upstairs where the sewing room is and go from there.  That number, $1,500, IS my budget.  I could go with the GC-8B, but I have found little data on this as to how it performs in the real world by REAL USERS.  And it is Chinese.  I have nothing against the Chinese, but the quality of products from that country are NOT up to the same specifications as the Japanese, German or US machines.

Can I sew everything I want to on the Sailrite?  Probably.  Maybe not gussets easily, but perhaps I just do those some other way?

And now, the THICKNESS of the material.  I am looking to sew tote bags, in the 3-4 oz 5-6 oz range.  I am looking for the temper to be that they stand up by themselves on the table.  I might make some softer bags, already made two of those and had to put a stiffener in the bottom of each.  So, I hope that helps with my thinking and perhaps your ability to give me some 'advice'. 

At some point, like Willie from "The Thoughtful Woodworker", I would like to be able to make my own furniture... Cushioned in Leather, of course.

Thanks!

Chip from

CHIPPERBAGS

Edited October 22, 2022 by ChipperBags

[kgg]

2 hours ago, ChipperBags said:

Leatherwork by Sailrite.  This is the non-portable flat bed hybrid.  It has the workhorse servo motor, a 24" table and the LS-1 Sailrite (in green) as well as a small speed reducer.  It is a complete package that is pretty nicely decked out and superbly supported.

Save yourself some money and

1) get a clone like the Reliable Barracuda or the Kobe LSZ-1 for about $500 US

2) mount it in a table similar to what I an others have done for less then $75 US

3) If you like what they can do with the machine add a servo motor Reliable sewquiet 6000sm for $200 US. I don't know who copied it Sailrite or Reliable but it is the same motor as on the leatherworker.

This is how I decked a portable walking foot out.

 

2 hours ago, ChipperBags said:

At this point, I realized (due to information gathered here and elsewhere) that perhaps the BEST option would be a cylinder arm, compound feed machine. 

Since you first priority is bags a compound cylinder arm would definitely be the way to go but look at machines in the Juki 341/ 1341 class not the 335 class as most can only do V92 thread.

 

2 hours ago, ChipperBags said:

What I am looking for is something to do in my retirement that can bring me in some income as well as be a nice hobby to do. 

 

2 hours ago, ChipperBags said:

I am leaning heavily towards the Sailrite Leatherwork.  Which will run me $1,554.53.  It will be shipped to me in three boxes, I will put it together upstairs where the sewing room is and go from there.  That number, $1,500, IS my budget.

I would suggest adding more dollars to your budget of $1500 and get either a new machine or find a good used brand name machine. I think you will be sadly disappointed with the portable Sailrite. Another thing is the stitch length will decrease as the thickness being sewn increases on these machines.

 

2 hours ago, ChipperBags said:

I have nothing against the Chinese, but the quality of products from that country are NOT up to the same specifications as the Japanese, German or US machines.

Sailrite machines are also made in China however their quality appears to be better then the other portable sewing machines.

 

2 hours ago, ChipperBags said:

Can I sew everything I want to on the Sailrite?  Probably.  Maybe not gussets easily, but perhaps I just do those some other way?

Going to depend on what size of thread you want to use and the thickness of material you want to sew.

If all you think you need is a plain jane flatbed machine maybe consider the industrial Juki DU-1181n for about $1400. If it doesn't workout you should be able to sell it fairly easily without to much of a loss. Rather then just gamble on a machine you should really go to a brick and mortar dealer and test drive a few machines with what you want to sew.

kgg