Leather sewing machine

[JTknives]

I have a chance to pick up a Union Special sewing machine which i think i have narowed it down to model number 63900 i think but could be wrong, it looks old but i have not looked at it in person. it is listed for sale local here in utah. it uses a 1HP motor and comes with an eatra 1HP motor so 2. it looks heavy duty but i need it for doing sheaths and have no clue what to look for. here is the pictures of it. I can pick it up for a few hundered bucks if its what i need or will work. but with how my fingers how thy are i really need some help doing the stitching.

 

[rayban]

For "a few hundred bucks" I would want to see it running first before I committed to it.
Take one of your sheaths that's about ready to be stitched and play with it.
If your fingers are getting bad, you need a machine that will do everything you do by hand now.....that may not be the one you need.

 

[Tom Lewis]

I would suggest you contact Vernon Weaver and ask him about this machine and if it will do what you want it to do. Weaver Leather is a large supply businiess for the leather industry. They sell lots of leather and large sewing machines. Vernon is an expert in the leather sewing machine area. The customer service number is 1-800-932-8371. Their web site is
www.weaverleather.com
I am not a sewing machine expert, but just looking at the picture, I doubt it can sew a sheath made of 7-8 oz. leather.
You might also visit any shoe or boot shops in your area and ask about machines for sell. It would be very helpful to make friends with someone who has had experience with these machines. They can give you lots of good advise.

 

[Bailey Knives]

I have looked at leather sewing machines a lot, because I too hate pulling on the threads 300 times a sheath. You will be hard pressed to get something that will stitch through heavy leather for under $1500, which is about where the tippmann boss is situated. For a completely powered deal, look at the artisan toro 3000. Both will stitch through 3/4 inches of leather. take a sheath that is made of 8oz leather and include both front and back pieces and the welt, and it can easily be a half inch thick or more. Little machines just wont do it. Even machines made to stitch shoes will be hard pressed to do it. You will need something designed for thick leather.

 

[Hmathews]

From time to time people move up to an Artisan from a Tippmann Boss and you might be able to pick up a used Tippmann. You might put the word out in the sheath making forum that you are looking for one. It would sure be money better spent in my opinion.

 

[Fred.Rowe]

I don't think the machine is heavy enough for what you want it to do.

The area at the end of the machine where the needle is should be narrow, so you can position the sheath for sewing. A large flat area is a hindrance to a sheath maker.

I have a reconditioned Union Lock Stitch machine wish will handle 3/4" leather.
The fine folks at Weaver Leather performed the reconditioning work on the machine. I purchased it at a sale held at Weavers a couple years back.

It is the Cadillac of older industrial machines It produces beautiful stitching.

Its for sale.

Contact me if you are interested, Fred