I don’t sew thick leather often, but it would be noce to have a machine that can handle it when I do have the need.
A Singer 29 would be nice, but rhe prices are just way too high for an infrequent use machine.
So what to do? There is the “Chinese” special:
looks pretty crude (and it is), but it seems to get the job done. 150 bucks delivered is also a good incentivizer.
Its not “vintage”, but it sure looks the part.
I figured I’d order one and add bushings/bearing where appropriate to smooth it out and then just atone and polish the rest of the working bits.
Then I saw this:
https://youtu.be/__rSP5_5xYk
https://youtu.be/ar1MlO83qiI
gent took the raw casting and basically “re-engineered” the working parts. The brass bits are a nice touch also.
Being a home machinist with a lathe and mill, my plan is to put it together first and get it stitching. Once I know it will at least stitch, I’ll blow it apart and remanufacture it to a much higher standard, like the gent in the vids did.
So technically, not vintage. But it will certainly look vintage and it should function fine for the occasional heavy leatherwork I find myself needing to do. .