It was a dismal failure

Bugscuffle · June 19, 2012, 11:24:03 PM

The leather sewing machine experiment didn't work out. I am sending it back and asking for my money back. All in all I'm out less than $50, and believe me, I've made a lot more costly mistakes than that in my life than $50. I bought a machine that the seller swore up and down was modified to sew leather and would sail right through two layers of 1/4" rawhide. Just watch the U-Tube video! Funny thing that link just didn't work, Hmmmmmmm. Well, not quite a 14" of rawhide. I couldn't get it to sew thrrough one layer of 6-7 oz. Veg tanned. I did have a lot of fun with it though. I built a neat little table for it, and I learned a lot about sewing machines. Oh well, better lu k next time.

Cliff Fendley · June 20, 2012, 06:45:12 AM

Sorry it didn't work out for you, I was wishing you all the luck but wasn't betting on much. There is a reason good leather sewing machines start at around 2000 dollars.

outrider · June 20, 2012, 07:00:53 AM

Cliff is so correct in his assesment

Trailrider · June 20, 2012, 08:53:58 AM

I don't know how it is today, as I haven't bought or sold a sewing machine recently (my TSC440 is still running fine, thank you), but having kept track of the old Singer sewing machines used in repair of the nylon parachutes used to recover the Space Shuttle boosters, back in the '80's, industrial sewing machines are about the only thing I know of that do NOT depreciate in value, so long as you can find parts and keep them maintained.

Drayton Calhoun · June 20, 2012, 11:06:30 AM

I have an old White Jeans Machine that works okay on lighter leather, but, as a rule I prefer hand stitching. Although, nowadays, it gets rough on the fingers. I may just have to invest in a leather machine.

TwoWalks Baldridge · June 20, 2012, 11:16:19 AM

My Grandpa had a treadle machine for tack repair when I was a sprout ... sure wish I had it now.

Bugscuffle · June 20, 2012, 09:41:23 PM

The listing swore up and down that it would sew through 1/4" of veg tanned leather, so I though that I'd take a chance on it. In reality it didn't sew through 1/8" (0.128") of leather. I should have suspected as much when the link in the listing to "Watch it race through 1/4" of rawhide didn't work. I did learn a few things though. If you do have a need to sew some light weight leather, a style 134 LR size 22 needle will fit into the old (very old) Singer machines. You just have to manually orient the needle in the holder the right way. The needle shank is round and not flat on one side like the Singer needles. It is a real leather needle and will handle thread up to size T210. Oh yes, the motor on this machine had been upgraded to a 1.5 Amp motor. The regular motor was 0.6 Amps.

daddyeaux · July 04, 2012, 09:11:04 AM

If you got the cash the Cobra CM 4 Dream Machine from The Leather Machine Co. is a great machine. I got mine last summer and have been very pleased. It will be over $2 grand though.

TN Mongo · July 04, 2012, 09:03:54 PM

Drayton,

I have a White Jeans Machine. It works well for canvas and light leather. My Cobra 4 is wonderful for my holster and gun belt jobs.

Bugscuffle · July 04, 2012, 11:38:16 PM

I haven't read anythng in this forum on them, but I have seen ads for4 a "Cowboy" braqnde machine. Does anyone know anything about them? The prices for new machines are high, just not quite as high as some of the others.

Cliff Fendley · July 05, 2012, 05:05:29 PM

I don't know about those but I'll put in another plug for the Cobra machines. Not only are they good machines for the money Steve is a top notch guy and you can contact him direct nearly any time if you have a problem or need a part.

I think the Cobra is probably the best bang for the buck out there and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if I needed it.

I love my Cobra 4 dream machine.