Sewing Your Own Gear

[BoTheHunter]

I have an older singer that is light green. I've sewn thin layers of fleece to make stuff sacks. But, I'm looking to step it up a bit and start sewing 500d, 1000d, and webbing. I don't know if my machine can handle it, but if it can't i was wondering what you DIY guys think is the best budget machine for sewing heavy duty gear. My budget is $300 give or take. I'm wanting to make gear similar to the gear that The Hidden Woodsmen make. I want to be able to sew packs with 1000d on the outside with an 500d liner and webbing straps in places. What do you guys think?

 

[sneaky]

Singer 401(a) will do that. Pretty much any of the older metal geared machines will do it. It's the plastic gear machines you gotta be careful with.

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[dueaston]

I would first buy material you want because you know you will buy that regardless. Then, you can start with a speedy stitcher while you look for a machine within your budget and/or finish your research and know for sure what you want.

I make custom leather work and do all of my stitching by hand. Once you really get into it you may be surprised how quickly you can produce products. Yes, you're still doing it by hand but the money stays in your pocket until you know for sure what you want to do.

 

[Ramrat]

Looking at buying a singer 301. Looks like a good unit to get started with.

 

[BoTheHunter]

Singer 401(a) will do that. Pretty much any of the older metal geared machines will do it. It's the plastic gear machines you gotta be careful with.

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Do you use the 401a? There's a bunch on ebay.

 

[BoTheHunter]

I would first buy material you want because you know you will buy that regardless. Then, you can start with a speedy stitcher while you look for a machine within your budget and/or finish your research and know for sure what you want.

I make custom leather work and do all of my stitching by hand. Once you really get into it you may be surprised how quickly you can produce products. Yes, you're still doing it by hand but the money stays in your pocket until you know for sure what you want to do.

Can you post some pics of some of your work?

 

[dueaston]

Can you post some pics of some of your work?

 

[dueaston]

Here is a quick example because my other pictures are to large. I sew these dog collars all by hand, sell them online and ship them all over the world.

 

[BoTheHunter]

That's awesome! So you use a Speedy Stitcher? How log does it take to make one collar?

 

[dueaston]

That's awesome! So you use a Speedy Stitcher? How log does it take to make one collar?

Thank you!

I do not use a speedy stitcher for leather but I have one that I used to use for fabric. Now I use a stitch awl along with needles made for leather and waxed poly cord. It's incredibly strong.

 

[BoTheHunter]

Thank you!

I do not use a speedy stitcher for leather but I have one that I used to use for fabric. Now I use a stitch awl along with needles made for leather and waxed poly cord. It's incredibly strong.

Awsome! Thanks!

 

[BoTheHunter]

Also, what sites have the best prices on fabric and hardware? Does Ebay have everything you need @WoodBow?

 

[WoodBow]

Also, what sites have the best prices on fabric and hardware? Does Ebay have everything you need @WoodBow?

I usually order from rockywoods or seattle fabrics if i cant find it on ebay.

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[BoTheHunter]

I usually order from rockywoods or seattle fabrics if i cant find it on ebay.

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Thanks!

 

[Flydaho]

Bo, you do not need a fancy machine to sew 500D Cordura. I started with an older Kenmore that did just fine until I was able to pick up an older Elna (1970's machine) that is very stout for a home machine. The Elna will sew through almost anything I throw at it as far as tents and backpacks go. It even sews through the HDPE sheet on my Kifaru Lite frame! I would recommend buying locally through facebook marketplace or craigslist because you most definitely want to test the machine before buying it (which you can't do on ebay). If you buy a lemon and have to take it to a repair shop you will be surprised at how much it will cost to get it running right.

If you live near a decent sized city there should be plenty of good machines in your price range for sale. Heck, you might even come across a Singer 111W/211 or a Consew 206RB for cheap enough.

As for suppliers here are a few to browse through:

ripstopbytheroll.com
rockywoods.com
hudson4supplies.com (Canadian based company, shipping is expensive so use for large orders only)
seattlefabrics.com
owfinc.com
milspecmonkey.com

You can also get some special buckles from the gear suppliers like Seek Outside (Gatekeeper buckles)

 

[7mmremmag]

I restored a singer 185k that I used on heavier stuff. I also have a singer 4411 heavy duty with an even feed foot that I use on lighter material (ripstop, etc). The 4411 has no issue with cordura, I wouldn't want to do more than two layers of webbing with it though.

 

[BoTheHunter]

Bo, you do not need a fancy machine to sew 500D Cordura. I started with an older Kenmore that did just fine until I was able to pick up an older Elna (1970's machine) that is very stout for a home machine. The Elna will sew through almost anything I throw at it as far as tents and backpacks go. It even sews through the HDPE sheet on my Kifaru Lite frame! I would recommend buying locally through facebook marketplace or craigslist because you most definitely want to test the machine before buying it (which you can't do on ebay). If you buy a lemon and have to take it to a repair shop you will be surprised at how much it will cost to get it running right.

If you live near a decent sized city there should be plenty of good machines in your price range for sale. Heck, you might even come across a Singer 111W/211 or a Consew 206RB for cheap enough.

As for suppliers here are a few to browse through:

ripstopbytheroll.com
rockywoods.com
hudson4supplies.com (Canadian based company, shipping is expensive so use for large orders only)
seattlefabrics.com
owfinc.com
milspecmonkey.com

You can also get some special buckles from the gear suppliers like Seek Outside (Gatekeeper buckles)

Thank you so much! That was so helpful!

 

[BoTheHunter]

I restored a singer 185k that I used on heavier stuff. I also have a singer 4411 heavy duty with an even feed foot that I use on lighter material (ripstop, etc). The 4411 has no issue with cordura, I wouldn't want to do more than two layers of webbing with it though.

You use a 185k? That's the exact machine that I use!!

 

[sneaky]

I think I bought my 401a with a ton of bobbins, needles to last a lifetime, spare parts and cams, and a sewing desk for $125 off Craigslist. The lady was excited to give me lessons on it before I left lol.

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[BoTheHunter]

I think I bought my 401a with a ton of bobbins, needles to last a lifetime, spare parts and cams, and a sewing desk for $125 off Craigslist. The lady was excited to give me lessons on it before I left lol.

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Cool!