Sewing machine advice

[VAMountainHunter]

I got this one new off Amazon. Got the extended warranty so if it quits I get my $$$ back . I upgraded to the bigger wheel which gears it down some more. So far so good. It's one of the China clones. I 3D printed the plate on the front. (red) Sailrite sells one as their machines are the same just hyped. They wanted $49 for the plate. Made a base for it. I have hinges on order. So far several layers of webbing and fabric it punches right thru.

 

[Conanhunting]

You might be better off buying one of those Chinese cobbler machines. Look on Amazon or ebay for them. They're a hand crank walking foot machine and can handle quite a bit more than a domestic machine. The nicest thing about them is they'll run a little over a 100.

 

[coyote_out]

Thoughts on a sears kenmore 1431?

 

[coyote_out]

Also this singer

 

[nodakian]

I have 2 pretty much like the Sears, just different model years (see post #2 above). Rock solid. They easily handle 2-3 layers of webbing and cordura. Even punched thru 1/16" HDPE and a couple layers of webbing. No go on 1/2" foam though. The needle stroke is too short. The Singer looks similar age so probably runs the same.

Tune 'em up and go for it.

 

[doc holiday13]

My wife found a couple old Kenmore models for $20 each. With #69 thread and #110 needles they handle 2-3 layers of webbing and several of Cordura. I built an enlarged table with guide lines, This one has built about 40 packs plus other soft goods and all my experiments. Their main shortcoming for my use is they won’t work through 1/2” foam for shoulder pads and waist belts.

Have you tried leather in the 3-6 oz weight?

 

[nodakian]

It easily stitched through 2 layers of light to medium weight boot tongue leather to make a hatchet blade cover. I'm not sure how that translates to leather weight.

 

[Hackleback]

Pfaff 130 is sought after by many using them for sail repair. I have a Pfaff 230, it has done everything I need including sewing buckskin and cordura. You can find them on Craigslist or market Place, just have to be a bit patient.

 

[doc holiday13]

It easily stitched through 2 layers of light to medium weight boot tongue leather to make a hatchet blade cover. I'm not sure how that translates to leather weight

That would qualify as probably a 6oz leather