Sewing machines!

[switchblade5984]

okay i need help finding a sewing machine

how do i know if it has metal gears?

and i need it to do leather(clothing grade)

[Canuck]

okay i need help finding a sewing machine

how do i know if it has metal gears?

and i need it to do leather(clothing grade)

Find an old singer circa 1920-1940 buy leather needles and a teflon foot.
the singer should be around the $50-$125 the foot for $12 needles 5 pack $3.95.
The machine will handle up to 2.5 oz leather.

[Southern Breeze]

Take a look at this thread.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...sewing+machine

[HeathBar]

After posting that thread, I bought a 70's model Kenmore at a yard sale for $25. And it came with a stand. I would go cheap first. Scour the yard/garage sales for one. If you use it and like it you can upgrade later to something more heavy duty.

[Alan H]

They're pricey, but the Sailrite machines on ebay are hella strong and can sew leather. They're sailmaking machines. If you're seriously into it, get one with a walking foot.

for stitching up 4-5 layers of twill to make a lightweight kilt, or 2-3 layers of denim a resonable quality home machine will do it. Getting a machine that will do zig-zag is a real help, but I've made two kilts on a straight-stitch-only machine.

1.) straight-stitch with adjustable stitch length
2.) zig-zag with adjustable stitch width and length
3.) a buttonhole stitch......and you are set for 99% of kilt-related and kilt-jacket sewing.


As for stitching any leather beyond light suede...I know nothing!!

[Alan H]

Find an old singer circa 1920-1940 buy leather needles and a teflon foot.
the singer should be around the $50-$125 the foot for $12 needles 5 pack $3.95.
The machine will handle up to 2.5 oz leather.

No kidding? That's my straight-stitch machine! Where do I get leather needles and a teflon foot?

[switchblade5984]

leather needles at the local fabric store

[Southern Breeze]

leather needles at the local fabric store

I've never seen needles made from leather.

[Canuck]

No kidding? That's my straight-stitch machine! Where do I get leather needles and a teflon foot?

Switchblade answered that one. the teflon foot is only needed if the leather doesn't feed properly. If the teflon foot doesn't work then a walking foot is desirable.
Change your needles frequently. oil the machine, frequently and all should work nicely. A straight stitch is the best choice as it's stronger and doesn't have things that can break under stress.
I just bought an Adler 105 cylinder base with a large throat that can sew plywood (too stiff for a kilt) This machine shakes the floor but oh so cool!.... I got it to sew up belts and straps and other things that go bump in the night....so I'm OK for awhile.
Cheers

[Blu (Ontario)]

I looked at sewing machines a while back. Decided that making furnature was a lot easier so I bought a thickness planer instead.