Members Treesner Posted October 22, 2021 Members Report Posted October 22, 2021 (edited) Hey guys i'v been wanting to get a cylinder arm machine for years but always end up lost on what to get and a bit discouraged by the super high prices. Can you recommend a cylinder arm machine for occasional use; sewing patches on hats, patching pants, modifying/prototyping small cordura bags, leather 4-6mm. It would be nice to have a strap on table attachment but I could probably make something DIY. currently using a sail rite. I'm in Northern California Sacramento area and cant find anything on craigslist used other than a Nakajima 380B for $950 3 hours away and a CONSEW 227R-2 for 1,350 9 hours away I'd like to be in the 1,000-2,000 range but let me know what you think I should get cobra 26 seems like it could be a good option Cobra 26 $2500 + 300 shipping: 2,740 -with platform and drop down guide https://www.aldenleathersupply.com/collections/machines/products/cobra-class-26?variant=31699241336878 Cobra 26 shipped 2600 With platform and guide (site seems sketch though) https://industrialsewingmachineman.com/machines/mach.asp?dir=sewmach&brand=Cobra&Model=Class+26&ProductType=Industrial+Straight+Stitch+Machines cobra 26 EPS shipped: 3,457.55 with platform and edge guide https://leathermachineco.com/product/cobra-class-26-with-eps/ Edited October 22, 2021 by Treesner Quote
kgg Posted October 22, 2021 Report Posted October 22, 2021 57 minutes ago, Treesner said: I'm in Northern California Sacramento area Since you are planning on spending between $1000 to $3500 why not visit a couple of industrial sewing machine dealers and test drive a couple of machines with a sample of your stuff. My suggestion would be for either a new or used Juki LS-1341 or used Juki LS-341. Another option that maybe worth while investigating are the used Singer 29K's and newer 29K clones. They would work for sewing hat patches on, patching pants and may do for modifying/prototyping bags. kgg Quote Juki DNU - 1541S, Juki DU - 1181N, Singer 29K - 71(1949), Chinese Patcher (Tinkers Delight), Warlock TSC-441, Techsew 2750 Pro, Consew DCS-S4 Skiver
Members nylonRigging Posted October 22, 2021 Members Report Posted October 22, 2021 craiglist is going to be a hit and miss for finding good clean cylinder bed in reasonable driving distance . If you wanting brand name, and will hold a better resale value over time . the Juki 1341 that ( kgg ) mentioned is ...Great . . You are living in NorCal. . if you do end-up buying new clone import . 'for Me' .. I would just contact Artisan Sew in Bay area Cal. , call and ask 'what is in stock' . You can get into walk compound feed, medium duty cylinder setup for 1800-$ to 2300 . along with consew/juki/singer... I run a couple of Artisan setups on cylinder and post machines , they run solid, and setup with a quality servo drive . Have good customer service . Shipping for me from bay area up to Portland trucking hub for me to pick it up, was about 190-$ last time I brought one up here . So you shipping closer in-state would probably far less-$ . . Quote
Members Treesner Posted October 25, 2021 Author Members Report Posted October 25, 2021 (edited) On 10/22/2021 at 3:58 PM, nylonRigging said: craiglist is going to be a hit and miss for finding good clean cylinder bed in reasonable driving distance . If you wanting brand name, and will hold a better resale value over time . the Juki 1341 that ( kgg ) mentioned is ...Great . . You are living in NorCal. . if you do end-up buying new clone import . 'for Me' .. I would just contact Artisan Sew in Bay area Cal. , call and ask 'what is in stock' . You can get into walk compound feed, medium duty cylinder setup for 1800-$ to 2300 . along with consew/juki/singer... I run a couple of Artisan setups on cylinder and post machines , they run solid, and setup with a quality servo drive . Have good customer service . Shipping for me from bay area up to Portland trucking hub for me to pick it up, was about 190-$ last time I brought one up here . So you shipping closer in-state would probably far less-$ . . thanks I think I've been there once before when I lived in the Bay Area what would be the comparable model to the 1341 the 246VA or the 2618-1B https://www.artisansew.com/cylinderarmandpostbedmachine.html they also have a new 335 B light weight / medium mahcine to 3/8” leather which would fit my needs now but i think I'd want the option to go bigger than 3/8 in future. they dont show the price just have it on the news page https://www.artisansew.com/news.html Edited October 25, 2021 by Treesner Quote
kgg Posted October 25, 2021 Report Posted October 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Treesner said: what would be the comparable model to the 1341 the 246VA or the 2618-1B The Juki LS-1341 takes a #24 technically good for V207 but the machine is rated V138 top thread and bobbin thread running at 2000 spm. I figure this is to allow you to sew V138 even in tough leather. The 246VA max needle size is #23 needle which will take V138 but in tough or thick stuff may not create a large enough hole to properly form a stitch or cause skipped stitches. The website when you click on the specs it shows 246VA but the nameplate on the machine in the photo is a 335, maybe the 246VA is being replaced by the 335. I couldn't find a max speed probably 1800 spm like the 2618-1B but would need to be checked with them. I think this machine is more geared towards edge binding like the PFAFF 335 rather then a Juki LS-1341. The 2618-1B can take a #24 needle but max speed is 1800 spm. I think a much closer machine to the Juki LS-1341. 1 hour ago, Treesner said: but i think I'd want the option to go bigger than 3/8 in future. To sew constantly above the 3/8" mark you need to move into the 441 class of machines. The Juki TSC-441 is just way to expensive for most people so the clone 441 class machines are a much more reasonably priced option however they do not lend to sewing thin stuff very well unless they are dumbed down and typically use system 794 needles. Remember No one machine is going to cover all your needs/wants. kgg Quote Juki DNU - 1541S, Juki DU - 1181N, Singer 29K - 71(1949), Chinese Patcher (Tinkers Delight), Warlock TSC-441, Techsew 2750 Pro, Consew DCS-S4 Skiver
Members Treesner Posted October 25, 2021 Author Members Report Posted October 25, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, kgg said: The Juki LS-1341 takes a #24 technically good for V207 but the machine is rated V138 top thread and bobbin thread running at 2000 spm. I figure this is to allow you to sew V138 even in tough leather. The 246VA max needle size is #23 needle which will take V138 but in tough or thick stuff may not create a large enough hole to properly form a stitch or cause skipped stitches. The website when you click on the specs it shows 246VA but the nameplate on the machine in the photo is a 335, maybe the 246VA is being replaced by the 335. I couldn't find a max speed probably 1800 spm like the 2618-1B but would need to be checked with them. I think this machine is more geared towards edge binding like the PFAFF 335 rather then a Juki LS-1341. The 2618-1B can take a #24 needle but max speed is 1800 spm. I think a much closer machine to the Juki LS-1341. To sew constantly above the 3/8" mark you need to move into the 441 class of machines. The Juki TSC-441 is just way to expensive for most people so the clone 441 class machines are a much more reasonably priced option however they do not lend to sewing thin stuff very well unless they are dumbed down and typically use system 794 needles. Remember No one machine is going to cover all your needs/wants. kgg thanks for the info heres what artisan dealer told me about the 2 machines. I didnt ask about the 335 but saw some info in another thread its even lighter duty/cheaper and they have an option where its portable (mounted to a piece of wood not a table, but it is 86 pounds so semi portable..) " The Artisan 2618-1B is most compatible with the other two machines you have mentioned in your email. The Artisan 246VA is a little different. It has a 10" arm from the base to the needle and 1.75" diameter at the rotating hook area. It has a 'M' size rotating hook and bobbin system. Compound walking foot, sews up to 7/16" and maximum thread size is 138 (tex-135). The Artisan 2618-1B: It has a 10" arm from the base to the needle and the diameter of the cylinder arm is around 3". It has a drop-in 'U' size bobbin and vertical rotating hook system. Compound walking foot, sews up to 7/16" and maximum thread size is 207 (tex-210). " so probably between the two 2618 is closer to what would be good for me how does the 441 handle 3/16 (4mm)? Edited October 25, 2021 by Treesner Quote
kgg Posted October 26, 2021 Report Posted October 26, 2021 31 minutes ago, Treesner said: how does the 441 handle 3/16 (4mm)? It wouldn't be my first choice as the 441 class shine above the 3/8" to 3/4" or so and their sweet spot would probably be the 1/2" + mark with V346 or larger thread. I have my machines pretty well dialed in for a certain sewing range / function. It will come down to whether the item can be done better / faster / easier on a flatbed or cylinder bed. For thin flat items I would probably try a sample first using my Juki DU-1181n, if it struggles I would move to the a Juki DNU 1541S then the Juki LS-1341 clone with or without a flatbed attachment. Thin stuff I the Juki DU -1181n excels and depending on the material can handle V138 but it is only rated for V92 and is just a walking foot. My Juki DU-1181N is my first choice for sewing 21 oz (#6) cotton canvas which measures approximately 1mm thick and has sewn 6 layers many times. The Juki DNU-1541S hates thin stuff (~4mm or so) and will tear up fabric unless dumbed down. If the item was a patch my choice would be the old Singer 29k-71 which can take a #24 needle but has a tiny bobbin. All those machines use 135 x 17 or 16 needles which is convenient. I hope that helps, kgg Quote Juki DNU - 1541S, Juki DU - 1181N, Singer 29K - 71(1949), Chinese Patcher (Tinkers Delight), Warlock TSC-441, Techsew 2750 Pro, Consew DCS-S4 Skiver
RockyAussie Posted October 26, 2021 Report Posted October 26, 2021 Awhile ago I would have fully agreed with @kgg but something we came up with recently for these machines really does change this a LOT. Here is a video I did on it While you are there check out the videos I have done on the CB6900 which is a really great machine to start off with in my opinion. Quote Wild Harry - Australian made leather goodsYouTube Channel Instagram
kgg Posted October 26, 2021 Report Posted October 26, 2021 40 minutes ago, RockyAussie said: Awhile ago I would have fully agreed with @kgg but something we came up with recently for these machines really does change this a LOT. That my friend is definitely a game changer. Excellent work. kgg Quote Juki DNU - 1541S, Juki DU - 1181N, Singer 29K - 71(1949), Chinese Patcher (Tinkers Delight), Warlock TSC-441, Techsew 2750 Pro, Consew DCS-S4 Skiver
MtlBiker Posted October 26, 2021 Report Posted October 26, 2021 1 hour ago, RockyAussie said: Awhile ago I would have fully agreed with @kgg but something we came up with recently for these machines really does change this a LOT. Here is a video I did on it While you are there check out the videos I have done on the CB6900 which is a really great machine to start off with in my opinion. Rocky, please forgive a question from a relative newbie... What exactly are you showing that you're calling a "game changer"? Quote Current machines: Janome HD3000 and Skyline S5, Consew 206RB-5, Singer Profinish serger, Techsew 2750 PRO, Sailrite LSZ-1 Premium, Consew DCS-S4 Skiver
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