Which sewing machine should I buy?

[Kovant]

Hello

I am looking to buy a sewing machine and I am quite confused.
I have been sewing briefcases, bags, belts, etc by hand for a few years.
I use veg tan leather from 1.3 to 3.5 mm.
I have been making shoes for a year now.
Now I am also going to start making jackets.
I would like to buy a machine with which I can do all these jobs and, if possible, that is not too expensive.
However, I am looking for a good finish on the seams.

Thank you very much for your help.

[Wizcrafts]

The projects you described suggest a cylinder arm compound feed walking foot machine that has a removable flat table attachment to support flat work. The bobbin should be an M style that holds much more thread than the standard G size bobbin used in the Singer 153, which is the forefather of modern cylinder arm walking foot machines. You'll want a machine that sews equally well using bonded thread sizes 69 through 138 and perhaps even #207 on top with 138 in the bobbin. Here is one that meets these specs.

[ljk]

I would buy a singer 45k or GA5-1 free arm clone. Huge bobbin, user friendly, simple oscillater, can take 69 thread through 415. Needles available 18-25 including leather point.   I would glue a 2mm pc. of teflon to the foot, this will reduce surface tension as the the leather slides under the foot, can also reduce need for the tension on the foot. Flat plates were available on some 45k's.  I have modified my 45k to sew out soles on the shoes I make or repair (hobby).  A shoe patcher would also help. I sew uppers with a shoe patch and also put on teflon on it.  good luck

[kgg]

1 hour ago, Kovant said:

I would like to buy a machine with which I can do all these jobs and, if possible, that is not too expensive.

To try to cover off most your requirements a cylinder arm is probably your best bet with a table top attachment which you can also purchase aftermarket or do DIY version to suite your needs. Depending on how much you can afford I would suggest either a new or good used Juki LS-1341 or a good used older Juki LS-341. After that most of the clones are copied after the older Juki LS-341 so you can have a wide selection and price range to choose from depending on where you are located.

Where are you located maybe someone can direct you to a dealer in your area?

Buy Once, Cry Once

kgg

[Spyros]

1 hour ago, Kovant said:

Hello

I am looking to buy a sewing machine and I am quite confused.
I have been sewing briefcases, bags, belts, etc by hand for a few years.
I use veg tan leather from 1.3 to 3.5 mm.
I have been making shoes for a year now.
Now I am also going to start making jackets.
I would like to buy a machine with which I can do all these jobs and, if possible, that is not too expensive.
However, I am looking for a good finish on the seams.

Thank you very much for your help.

Sorry, not to derail the discussion (I agree with Wizcraft's recommendation, if that cyclinder arm looks long enough for your projects)

My question was, did you make shoes without machines?  Is that possible?

[Kovant]

Thank you very much for your help.

I am going to look very carefully at all the proposals because I have no idea about machines.

As for where I reside, in Spain.

Yes, shoes can be made perfectly well without a sewing machine. All the upper seams are sewn like any leather item and the sole handwelted. The handwelted (goodyear construction but handmade instead of machine made) is not very difficult to find (at least in Europe), what is not usual is to sew the upper by hand, but it is not complicated at all.

Thank you!

Edited December 29, 2021 by Kovant

[chrisash]

Something like this style would probably fit the bill try looking at machines that have 335 in their name like Juki 335 and so on. but second hand in Europe you can find good machines quite cheap

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174333285802?hash=item289712d5aa:g:48gAAOSwGpBeQ8gJ 

Or https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174759267083?hash=item28b076cb0b:g:ENMAAOSw9Wlg1bq4

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by chrisash

[Cumberland Highpower]

It sounds like you have a pretty broad mix of goods to sew.   I'd suggest maybe a Seiko cyl arm machine like a CW series.   Likely cheaper than a Juki?

Don't buy a 45K or a Chinese Clone...If you plan to try to sew everything, you'll need a unison feed machine.  

I'd be somewhat surprised to hear of handwelted shoes being made in Spain or your part of Europe....I can see shoes still being made that way in The Ukraine or Romania, Bulgaria, etc....$500 a month for a worker there makes it more feasable.

Edited December 29, 2021 by Cumberland Highpower

[Kovant]

Thank you!

I will look at the second hand market and Seiko CW.

In Spain, Italy, Uk,etc they make shoes by hand (except the upper part). But they are not usually companies but craftsmen. And they are expensive, logically. 

Best regards

Edited December 29, 2021 by Kovant

[brmax]

You may want to consider your present sewing thread you use and wrestle with the realistic size you want to stay with; in the same products you want to produce using machine threads. 
I think this may be your best position first. 

It has been respectfully and smartly mentioned already the machines in your interest. Although There are more styles but keeping in a heavy duty category is again in your interest. 

There are many hand sewing thread sizes and sometimes these visually are wanted for various reasons. 
 

Good day to ya