Vintage Industrial Machines
 

Is anyone here into vintage industrial machines? I've been doing a lot of research lately on models and brands, since I want to be able to sew leather thicker than garment weight.

I'm getting really sick of people listing 301's and the like as "industrial strength" on ebay, and saying they are good for sewing leather. They are most certainly NOT good for sewing leather except maybe for the occasional bit, and believe me, I've tried. I feel sorry for people who don't know much about sewing machines and believe that mess.

It happens on craigslist too. I keep seeing this 15 clone that some guy has listed for like $350. He's claiming the good old "industrial strength" mess. :thumbdown:

My Singer 29-4 is industrial - sews leather - it's known as "The Boot Patcher". :)

Here's a link to info on the 29-4: http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...g-machine.html

ohhh, I'm jealous of your patcher. Totally serious.

Have you patched any boots? lol. Or done anything interesting with it?

I've only run a few leather samples through it to see 'how' it works. Mine can be run treadle or electric as it did come with a motor. With the deep throat that it has I am seriously pondering if it could be used as a mid / long arm quilting machine as it has a 12-1/2" x 5 throat space. The big draw back is the small bobbin - but that might be able to be overcome depending on thread size used - a cast iron 4' tall beast from 1910 fmq'ing would be seriously cool. :)

My DH is interested in an industrial that will sew leather, also. He wants to make gun holsters. We haven't started to research vintage industrial machines due to time - any suggestions?
(I also know what you mean about being sick of people listing machines as industrial when they are not. I think they confuse "heavy" with "industrial"!)

Greeting folks!

I have a working 1908 Singer 29-4 Treadle which I picked up for $100 (ducking)

I can say that I have yet to find it's capacity.

I have tested sewing 16 layers of HEAVY canvas (no problemo..)
I have tested 3 layers of 6oz leather
Tonight I am testing 2 layers of 12oz

With that said, ALL of the feedback that I have been getting from folks supposedly "in the know" have said it was only designed for "patching" or small run, short use activities (hence the tiny bobbin)

I have been told that the 29K is a more robust and capable machine.

I do know that the "consew" line of chinese imports are a virtual clone of the Singer 29K
Your mileage may vary.
Steve

What you need for something like holsters or any other leather thicker than garment weight is a compound machine. It is basically a triple feed machine (feed dog, presser foot, and needle feed). Some vintage machines to consider are the Singer 111 or 211. There are others, but these seem pretty common. They fit within my budget too, so are my main focus. But if your budget is larger, there are so many other machines to look at!

A good resource is the leatherworker forum. They have a section specifically for discussion of leather sewing machines.

Janeite,
Thanks for the info! Where would I find the leatherworker forum?

I get frequent callers wanting just that.
I want to know how large & extensive their project would be?
Is it one little leather pouch? is is mass production?
is it a 100X25 tarp?
Is it a tent? Is it a mattress cover?
How many are they planning to make?
Industrial is go faster and maybe with a walking foot pull stuff more effectively.
I have clones that will do a few projects and do them well - set up the bobbin case ti handle the thread - set up the pressure on the presser foot to handle what you are doing. Use the right needle & thread
mostly use your head - if you are getting burrs, stars in the throat plate, bent needle shaft or broken needles you will need an industrial walking foot machine if you do much of it. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showforum=29 that, too