If you were to buy one sewing machine - what would it be?

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

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Mar 19, 2007
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I am thinking of buying a machine to supplement my hand sewing - but I really don't know where to start or what to get.

I have read quite a few posts on other forums on the topic - but I think people in this forum do similar work as I do.

I primarily make sheaths (8-10 ounce) and wallets and journal covers (4 ounce or so).

Can I do all of this with one machine - or do I need two?

Knowing what I do - what machine (or two if you think it is a must) would you recommend for me and why?

Thanks so much for your time.

TF
 
For absolute convenience and time saving I operate with two machines. A Cobra 18 flat bed and a Cobra 4 heavy stitcher. The stitcher is Juki clone as are many of the other brand available that are practically the same and similarly priced. Warranty and service after the sale are prime considerations for me, and thus my choice of the Cobra brand. Steve and Dave who run (and breathe the life into) Leather Machine Company (google) were both formerly with Artisan, which had been my choice. They are the tie breaker for me. Top notch customer service before and after the sale.

As stated the machines available are all very similar so other considerations come into play big time.

You might also consider the Cobra 17 flat bed and the Cobra 3 stitcher depending on your projection of your needs.

Now some say you can do both types of sewing on say the Cobra 3 or 4 ,and that may be true. I have never tried it, but I have my strong reservations that it won't work in the long run unless you happen to be a skilled sewing machine mechanic. Going from say 207 thread trough a 25 needle for the heavy sewing, down to say 69 thread through an 18 needle requires changing out the thread, needles and then adjusting the tension correctly, stitch length etc. With all this back and forth from heavy to light or medium I guarantee you it is a train wreck waiting to happen, and you will become ever so frustrated and waste a lot of time your life span was allotted. That's my story and I stickin' to it.

Paul
 
Paul - It sounds, then, that if I were to buy one - I could get by for a time (while I built my money supply back up) with a Class 3 or 4 type machine and then buy the flat bed down the road? Is that a good plan?

TF
 
That depends on what you want to make the most. Wallets, notebooks, belts and inlay work on sheaths etc. would be better served by the flat bed first. My flat bed actually gets way more stitches than the big machine by volume.

I actually started off with the third Boss ever manufactured and then got my flat bed. I retired and sold the Boss when I upgraded to the motorized heavy stitcher, but the flat bed had been working for about a year before that.

Just figure out how much heavy vs how much light stitching you do and let that fact guide you. Probably you have more stitches on light weight than you do on heavy. The flat bed will be less costly initially.

It is also worth sharing that that I agonized over the $1250 that first flat bed cost me, but it allowed me to establish and maintain my 48 hour turn around on orders and the volume picked up and continued to grow. Now I can amortize the cost of a new machine in a month or less. I am, of course, full time (no day job) so that makes a difference in speed of production also.

Paul
 
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I got a Cobra 3 on Paul's recommendation, and have not regretted it. Everytime I come up from the back room in 3 minutes with a sheath that would have taken me 45 min to an hour to hand stitch, I say to my wife "I love that machine!"
Edited to say that I only make sheaths, so I am not sure if my response was any help at all, but I just love that machine.
 
I am like Paul and have 2 machines. Cobra 18 flatbed and a Ferdco 440Pro. Use the Ferdco on sheaths and heavier items and the Cobra on lighter. Prior to having the Cobra I would "trick" the Ferdco into sewing lighter items with 138 thread. Couldn't use 69 but learned to use 138 on top and 202 on the bottom and it will do a good job. it is a PAIN as Paul said to switch back and forth. As Paul mentioned the Leather Machine Co is the way to go. I've been to their shop and in fact picked up my machine from them in person. Could not recommend them high enough. Shortly I will replace the Ferdco with a Cobra 4. I would echo the thought of deciding which type you would use the most and get that first. Then start saving.
 
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