Will my sewing machine work well with leather?

[kgg]

1 hour ago, biker55 said:

they have a chinese leather machine that is sold on ebay and amazon for around $100.

I do have one of these. Usually it will sew and could get you out of pinch but don't fool yourself in assuming you are going to get great results. The quality of these machines are at best on the poorer end of the scale. Yes they do have their place like all machines but I would not recommend this type of machine for anyone as an only machine or a beginners machine as it may prove to be too frustrating. These are what I would consider a true tinkers machine and it was fun tricking it out but it cann't hold a candle to a my Singer 29k's.

kgg

[Garyak]

On 11/10/2021 at 12:35 PM, chuck123wapati said:

My two cents, i have tried about four different home style machines, a couple would sew ultralight leather, 1 mm or so thick but with great difficulty and a lot of tinkering your wife wouldn't like. I've went down that road wasted a bunch of time, leather and money and found out what others already knew.

I'm sure more knowledgeable will chime in but as far as any real leather work the answer is no. The leather machines costs thousands for a reason. 

Thing continues to make cents. Outshining the best patchers in some areas

[chuck123wapati]

17 minutes ago, Garyak said:

Thing continues to make cents. Outshining the best patchers in some areas

outstanding!!!!   start a thread and share your secrets on fine tuning this thing! you seem to be the exception to the rule. lol

[RockyAussie]

8 hours ago, kgg said:

The quality of these machines are at best on the poorer end of the scale. Yes they do have their place like all machines but I would not recommend this type of machine for anyone as an only machine or a beginners machine as it may prove to be too frustrating. These are what I would consider a true tinkers machine and it was fun tricking it out but it cann't hold a candle to a my Singer 29k's.

This what @kgg says I believe to be true. I have had many years of experience using patching machines of one sort or another and they are not a machine I would recommend to start off with if you are doing leather work. Shoe repairs yes.

I should point out that at 3 minutes 58 seconds into the video above you can see the stitching average that a patcher is normally capable of. (Not good enough for my work)

9 hours ago, Garyak said:

If a person has some serious sewing skills and uses the machine within the limits it’s designed for, it’ll make money, and believers outta the nay sayers…. I’ve shut down more threads with proof the haters can’t deny.

Your skills with a patcher are very high indeed, so much so that I had to check your profile and see the pictures in your albums. I am curious to know what method you used to make the holes and grooves ahead of the patcher needle. Is this done by a laser or have the leather been stitched ahead first with a heavy weight machine or what? Here a a few of the pictures I am curious about.

 

Edited November 21, 2021 by RockyAussie

[Garyak]

52 minutes ago, RockyAussie said:

This what @kgg says I believe to be true. I have had many years of experience using patching machines of one sort or another and they are not a machine I would recommend to start off with if you are doing leather work. Shoe repairs yes.

I should point out that at 3 minutes 58 seconds into the video above you can see the stitching average that a patcher is normally capable of. (Not good enough for my work)

Your skills with a patcher are very high indeed, so much so that I had to check your profile and see the pictures in your albums. I am curious to know what method you used to make the holes and grooves ahead of the patcher needle. Is this done by a laser or have the leather been stitched ahead first with a heavy weight machine or what? Here a a few of the pictures I am curious about.

 

Nothing but a stitch groove and 3/32 punch. Once pattern is cut, I lay out my stitch pattern and punch the holes before airbrush and antique. This keeps the holes from showing like they would if they were punched after dye. When using white thread I like the stitch grooves to to be antiqued before sewing. The antique in the grooves really makes the stitching shine. Stitching is the most important part of a build to me. Nobodies paying hard cash for something with shoddy looking stitches.  

[chuck123wapati]

9 hours ago, Garyak said:

Nothing but a stitch groove and 3/32 punch. Once pattern is cut, I lay out my stitch pattern and punch the holes before airbrush and antique. This keeps the holes from showing like they would if they were punched after dye. When using white thread I like the stitch grooves to to be antiqued before sewing. The antique in the grooves really makes the stitching shine. Stitching is the most important part of a build to me. Nobodies paying hard cash for something with shoddy looking stitches.  

so basically you are just using it to put the thread through pre-punched holes and not really using it  for the whole process? Can you explain why or is it because it doesn't do a good enough job?       "Nobodies paying hard cash for something with shoddy looking stitches."

I'm not knocking your process your work is awesome but if it wont actually do a good job of sewing the whole process just like the expensive ones can do then folks should know what this machine can really do. 

 

[Garyak]

56 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

so basically you are just using it to put the thread through pre-punched holes and not really using it  for the whole process? Can you explain why or is it because it doesn't do a good enough job?       "Nobodies paying hard cash for something with shoddy looking stitches."

I'm not knocking your process your work is awesome but if it wont actually do a good job of sewing the whole process just like the expensive ones can do then folks should know what this machine can really do. 

 

I lay out a stitch pattern, where they will run, tie in, and dead end. I use the stitch groove and punch to ensure my stitch length is as uniform as possible, doesn’t matter to me what rig I’m stitching on. I’ve always done this , it’s what I was taught and I’ve never had a problem or complaint so I keep doing what works. Again, if someone doesn’t have sewing skills I wouldn’t recommend it. In fact, I recommend sewing classes, specifically in leather if someone can be found willing to teach. For 100$ and a 30$ servo i can’t see a down side. It paid for itself first time it was used. I purchased it to see what the mass confusion was all about. It wasn’t the machine. Besides Claes 20-30, I’ve never had another patcher that sews 207, and sews it like it was made too. All my machines are an extension of my hands. If I get a machine and I can’t make it do what I want it to do, I don’t keep that machine. Tools that don’t  do what you want aren’t tools, they’re door stops. Same thing I thought the patcher would be. It proved me wrong. I now use it solely when 207 is needed.

[chuck123wapati]

1 hour ago, Garyak said:

I lay out a stitch pattern, where they will run, tie in, and dead end. I use the stitch groove and punch to ensure my stitch length is as uniform as possible, doesn’t matter to me what rig I’m stitching on. I’ve always done this , it’s what I was taught and I’ve never had a problem or complaint so I keep doing what works. Again, if someone doesn’t have sewing skills I wouldn’t recommend it. In fact, I recommend sewing classes, specifically in leather if someone can be found willing to teach. For 100$ and a 30$ servo i can’t see a down side. It paid for itself first time it was used. I purchased it to see what the mass confusion was all about. It wasn’t the machine. Besides Claes 20-30, I’ve never had another patcher that sews 207, and sews it like it was made too. All my machines are an extension of my hands. If I get a machine and I can’t make it do what I want it to do, I don’t keep that machine. Tools that don’t  do what you want aren’t tools, they’re door stops. Same thing I thought the patcher would be. It proved me wrong. I now use it solely when 207 is needed.

Awesome!! You have a great technique figured out for sure and it does show on your work. Thank you for the answer to my questions!  I may have to ask Mrs. Clause  for one now.

[Garyak]

7 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

Awesome!! You have a great technique figured out for sure and it does show on your work. Thank you for the answer to my questions!  I may have to ask Mrs. Clause  for one now.

As with any patcher, slow is the key.

[chuck123wapati]

14 hours ago, Garyak said:

As with any patcher, slow is the key.

Where did you source a 30 dollar servo motor? the cheapest i can find is about 100. Plus a guy would need other parts as well wouldn't they like v belt and pulleys, foot peddle and cost to build or buy a decent stable table.