Sewing Machines

[RevDisk]

Can anyone recommend a decent sewing machine for working with light leather, denim, cordura, etc?  Most of the newer off the shelf models I doubt could handle heavier fabrics.   I'm thinking of making some of my own accessories and kit for hiking or whatnot.   

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

i had a 50 year old singer that did all that. it got disappeared in a divorce

[RevDisk]

i had a 50 year old singer that did all that. it got disappeared in a divorce

I've been informed (but have not thoroughly researched) that new Singer machines are not up to the old spec, and they're trading off their legacy reputation.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

you were informed correctly   sadly   look at flea markets etc  or sometime hit a sewing machine repair shop.  you can still find the old ones. 

[Silver Bullet]

I almost bought my wife a new Brother sewing machine for Christmas.  It had great reviews on Amazon.  I don't believe it was a good choice for heavy materials, but I think Brother has a lot of models.  Maybe one of them would be appropriate.

[Perd Hapley]

Can anyone recommend a decent sewing machine for working with light leather, denim, cordura, etc?  Most of the newer off the shelf models I doubt could handle heavier fabrics.   I'm thinking of making some of my own accessories and kit for hiking or whatnot.   

What a pansy.  As you know, real men just make a needle from a bone, and get to work.  Get to work, Sally.   

http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=9356.0

[Scout26]

Any of the newer ones that you'll find off the shelf are pretty much junk for your application.  Newer ones that will meet your needs are going to be spendy.

I would suggest looking at flea markets and garage sales for an older machine, one made from solid metal. 

There are times I miss Paddy McRiley, but then again....

[RevDisk]

What a pansy.  As you know, real men just make a needle from a bone, and get to work.  Get to work, Sally.   

http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=9356.0

Yea, I saw that thread.  More folks arguing than discussing topic.

And I can hand sew fairly decently.  Mostly just uniform or human flesh repairs.

Any of the newer ones that you'll find off the shelf are pretty much junk for your application.  Newer ones that will meet your needs are going to be spendy.

I would suggest looking at flea markets and garage sales for an older machine, one made from solid metal. 

That's what I've been gathering.  Was kinda hoping someone had a hookup or knew of sewing machine mecca.

[bedlamite]

Probably more than you wanted to spend

[280plus]

Got any old shoe repair places around? They might have something they'd be willing to part with.

[Nick1911]

Last sewing machine like that I've seen was in an antique store.

It was a singer model, mounted on a big green table/worksurface.

The machine it's self was mostly beefy aluminum castings.  It had a 1/2 HP motor.  Was $200 iirc.

[CNYCacher]

My parents get a hold of old Singer featherweights and restore them.  Dad gives them a tuneup, cleans up and lubes the mechanics, makes any needed repairs. checks the timing, replaces the electrical components with new cords and foot switch even a new motor if needed.  new belt, etc.  I think they sell them for a few hundred bucks.  If you are interested I'll see if they have any available currently.

They used to do a full refinish with new color and everything, including a new set of gold leaf details.  A couple of those went for over $1000, but they got out of that.  Last I knew they had a couple of original black in stock.

[RevDisk]

My parents get a hold of old Singer featherweights and restore them.  Dad gives them a tuneup, cleans up and lubes the mechanics, makes any needed repairs. checks the timing, replaces the electrical components with new cords and foot switch even a new motor if needed.  new belt, etc.  I think they sell them for a few hundred bucks.  If you are interested I'll see if they have any available currently.

They used to do a full refinish with new color and everything, including a new set of gold leaf details.  A couple of those went for over $1000, but they got out of that.  Last I knew they had a couple of original black in stock.

Ooooo.  Yes, could you please ask them.  I don't care about looks, only functionality.   

[RoadKingLarry]

Probably more than you wanted to spend

That Consew is based on the Old Singer 29K series of shoe patch machines. I have a 29K60 which is a longer arm than the one shown in the link. Mine is still on a treadle mount and will easily sew through 9 oz+ leather. For leigh weight leather and heavy cloth it will do very well. It has no reverse but the walking foot will feed a full 360*.
Those old machines can be found for decent money if you know where to look.

[Hawkmoon]

Harbor Freight Tools has (or had) a heavy duty sewing machine that should be okay for leather. You'll find that none of the sewing machines sold at Sears, Wal-Mart, or Jo Anne Fabrics are anywhere near strong enough to handle even light leather.

Here it is: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3914

[Nick1911]

^^^
This is very similar to what I'd seen.

Not a bad price, either.  Especially after a 20% off coupon.

[Gewehr98]

Yup.  Running a needle through leather or dead Nauga beast isn't a job for lightweight sewing machines.

I wouldn't even do it with my wife's Pfaff sewing machine.

[Silver Bullet]

Yup.  Running a needle through leather or dead Nauga beast isn't a job for lightweight sewing machines.

Is naugahyde still a product ?  I haven't seen that in decades.

[BridgeRunner]

I disagree.  I have sewn lightweight leather, straps of various kinds, and similar material on my Wally-World Brother sewing machine.  It's a matter of getting the right needle, the right thread, and going slowly while assisting the machine with feeding smoothly.  I wouldn't try it for any but the most lightweight leather, although I've sewn some pretty substantial pieces of vinyl, but on the whole, I think people underestimate their sewing machines.  Denim--of any weight that I have ever encountered--is absolutely no problem, nor is Cordura, for the typical home machine.  Really, leather is the only questionable area you've raised, and just keep it lightweight.

Personally, instead of going nuts trying to obtain and maintain an industrial sewing machine, unless you are planning a lot of heavy duty all-leather pieces, I'd just take any small jobs involving heavier leather to a tailor/shoe repair, and do the rest on a standard home machine.

[CNYCacher]

Ok, just talked to mom she has a Singer Featherweight Model 221 from 1953 with a new case and new plug and wiring.
She had it marked $500 but says she could do $450.  Says it will definitely do denim and cordura, canvas, etc. Never tried it on leather but she thinks light leather will be fine.  She has the heavy-duty needles for it.  She said one of her customers makes canvas boat covers with one.

The one thing to consider for this model over something like the harbor freight is the portability.  This unit weighs in at 11.5 lbs and the table folds up to fit in the case.

These are photos taken from the internet, NOT the actual one she has for sale.

[Boomhauer]

Our old Singer is only up to snuff for light denim and canvas, but I don't know about leather...course, i don't know the model, and I'm not pulling it out of the table to find out.

You may want to join Lightfighter, Revdisk, and check out the "Roll Your Own gear" side of the forum. http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/frm/f/829100313

You'll unfortunatly have to login to actually see the threads. If you do join, follow the directions of joining (post an intro post in the appropriate thread in the General Discussion,fill out your profile a bit)

[Tallpine]

You might check into sewing machines designed for making sails.

IIRC they have some non-electric ones for use at sea.

[bedlamite]

Is naugahyde still a product ?  I haven't seen that in decades.

http://www.nauga.com/promoitems_nauga.html

[Gewehr98]

The Uniroyal naugahyde factory in Stoughton, just down the road from me, recently recalled 39 laid-off employees as it rebounds from last year.

So, yeah, it appears there are still plenty of little Nauga Beasts being slaughtered. 

http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_259a4f6e-1118-11df-8581-001cc4c03286.html

[RevDisk]

I'm very much leaning towards a Singer 221 Featherweight for light sewing.  Apparently there is quite a cult following for them, as well as plenty of parts, manuals, books, etc.  Repair and maintenance is apparently quite easy.  Apparently there tends to be dozens on eBay at any given time.

For heavier sewing, I'm thinking older Consew 226 (or 206) or a new Seiko.  Consew went the Singer route.  Apparently, their new stuff is cheap Chinese poor quality and they're hoping to make money off their name for as long as possible.  It'll be a while as they tend to run $700 to over a grand.