Originally Posted by
corrado33
I use an old singer 15-125. (Almost identical to the 15-91, but it's... green... and updated?) It's a potted motor, no belts or chains. Runs strong. I bought some 3/16" thick leather straps to attempt to use on a bag (didn't turn out well) and the machine sewed straight through it. No problems whatsoever. (Disclaimer: You you coax ANY domestic machine to sew through leather... it's the longevity that becomes the problem.) That's like belt thickness leather. I got it for ~$60 at a pawn shop. It's a straight stitch only machine, but it has one of my FAVORITE accessories ever. I have the buttonholer attachment. It basically attaches to the foot and needle and sews PERFECTLY IDENTICAL buttonholes every time. Unlike the modern 4 or 5 step buttonhole, these buttonholes are virtually indistinguishable. Plus, the way it works is just so cool. Anyway, rant over. I made a frame bag at one point, was surprised I didn't post it to this thread.
My machine is identical to this except not NEARLY as nice.
Oh and my singer 5050c doesn't like to sew through that leather.
The problem I run into when sewing thick things isn't that the machine can't sew through it, it's more that I can't fit the material under the foot!
If you are going to be sewing thick leather consistantly, you really need an industrial machine with an external motor. Compare the motors from a 15-91 (often considered an "industrial" machine) to an actual industrial.. external, motor.
From this page.
The Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Blog: The Difference Between Domestic & Industrial Sewing Machines (or, How Not to Get Swindled on eBay & Craigslist)
I had an industrial Singer with the giant motor like the picture. This type of motor runs really, really fast, and the "pedal" just kicks a clutch in or out (the motor is always running). At roughly 3600 stitches per minute if my memory is correct. Great for an experienced garment worker who is getting paid per unit of clothes, terrible for us "amateurs". However, if you look carefully there are some industrial machines with the heavy motor which are geared down slower for making sails or leatherwork. But the run-of-the-mill industrial sewing machine is usually high speed.