tropit

I have a Consew that I'm currently sewing leather on. It's pretty heavy duty and can sew through several layers of thick leather, with the right needle. It's a rough, no frills machine, but it does get through the leather. My problem is that I have no permanent place to keep it, so I'll probably sell it next year.

Chasing Hawk

I had a Phaff 545 that could sew through several layers of leather. That isn't the problem, items like say shoes which have tight spaces one can not get under the presser foot and needle to sew. Or handbags, my husband's saddlebags on his Harley, knee pads and the like. They are hard to sew properly on a machine with a flat bed and little room under the presser foot.
Therefore I am looking for a machine with either a round "bed" or a flat narrow one to get around tight curves and spaces like folds on a handbag.

osewme

Do you have a shoe repair shop in your town? Maybe you could talk to the repair man & see if he knows anyone who is looking to sell their machine because of various reasons (upgrading to a newer machine, going out of business, death in family, etc.). Or maybe your repair man could find you a good deal on one that he knows about or could get you a good discount by going through him for the purchase. He could be a wealth of knowledge for you as you begin to talk with him.

leonf

Chasing hawk check out Singer 20 shoe patchers.

or if you want to go to England a Bradbury, like mine. I haven't used either.

Chasing Hawk

That is what I am looking for Leon. Something that is built to last.