Is this $100 Leather Sewing Machine Any Good?

I bought this Cheap Leather Sewing Machine from Amazon to see if it is any good. I really hate hand-sewing leather, and this is hopefully the answer. But is it any good?
Here is the machine I bought for this episode!
amzn.to/3uY97Yi
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[@garylewis7729]

Mine came fully assembled ready to go. I hooked an electric motor to it and have never looked back. I’ve sewed everything including tarps,upholstery, bags,belts and leather 1/4 inch (6mm) thick. Keep it lubricated and it will last a lifetime.Get yourself one .you’ll never regret it

[@scottc3165]

did you buy yours on Amazon? Maybe a link? Thanks!

[@12801270able]

What electric motor did you hook to it? I'd like to do the same thing.

[@raedelsol9046]

sewers note that you probably already know. when they are that complex never un-thread it. cut the thread at the spool and just tie your next thread on and pull it through from the needle end.

[@Totallynonplagerizedleatherguy]

So glad I read this before I did anything with it…

[@DumitruUrsu]

Meh, it's not that complicated. I haven't used in a year, and when I rethreaded it, i only made one mistake, near the spinning head. And the more you do it, the easier it becomes

[@NourDette]

Thanks for this💛💛💛💛💛🍒🍒

[@FrankDouglas]

Other than fighting with the bobbin the rest of it's not that bad

[@FrankDouglas]

I got the same one for Christmas this year, the little parts were in a baggie for me. And it came with a pair of gloves LOL but the instruction sheet that you got is unreadable even if it can be seen it is definitely a bad Google translate at best

[@jehrad0]

Dude, I swear you are the most valuable channel to anyone that does anything. I’ve had this machine for 2 years and have not come across a good video about how to assemble and use it. This is perfect. Thank you for being the absolute best!!

[@SkillTree]

Wow, thanks! I am so glad to have helped out some! I hope you have fun making stuff with it!

[@davidbell2535]

Mainly acres is great help.

[@killaloekittens2834]

Ha ha Ha! Great comment. I just bought one because of this guy. And I just subscribed too. Great content so far. I hope you finally get to enjoy your old purchase!

[@blackcrasanblade]

@@killaloekittens2834 im debating on buying one since watching the video i prefer hand sewing but my hands go numb time to time cause bigger project ideas so 90% to buying one but plan to do something like the stand i tend to use thick thread but use beeswax added to my thread why im leaning to a AWL more then a machine i do this stuff as hobby along with small knife making from rebar with a forge i made from stone over a old rusted iron pipe that was used as water pipe from the look to allow airflow and use carbon transfer for steel to use i like to repurpose that stuff to not have to make new ones and helps keep some trash to a new purpose win for me and win for the earth i do what i can to help re use what i can find use for if not use found and it metal ill melt it down i to a ingot

[@jollyjackass]

@@blackcrasanblade if you like to hand sew try out some ritza tiger thread sometime. Discovered the .6mm thread 2 years ago and won’t buy any other thread since. It’s got enough wax off the spool and the smaller thread diameter really cuts back on the hand fatigue.

[@joelongstaff7601]

My wife bought me one of these things a few years back. After cranking for far too long, about 15 minutes, I decided to mount it to an old treadle sewing machine base. After putting a new table top on, that left the free arm clear, I had to add a couple pullies to redirect the drive belt. Now it seems be have become a family tool. My wife did a lot of sewing and my daughter makes hand bags. The length of the free arm is incredibly useful. Great revue and we couldn't agree with you any more.

[@solonys9775]

The oil on the metal is usually Cosmoline, and is indeed common for shipping unpainted cast parts; even high-end table saws come covered in it

[@SkillTree]

I legitimately didn't know that! Thank you for teaching me something today!

[@solonys9775]

@@SkillTree You are welcome! After all, isn't that why we are all here, to learn new things? :)

[@raedelsol9046]

Sergers and carbon steel cookware are the same, though sometimes they use a thick layer of beeswax on the cookware. Beeswax is soooooo hard to clean off completely

[@DarthTrazyn]

@@SkillTree I know I am late, but knives and swords often come covered in a similar grease, it keeps the metal from rusting since carbon steel (which you want a sword made of) will rust

[@sparkythawelder]

@@SkillTree The soviets used cosmoline for long term storage of firearms.

[@MsLeahSweet]

If this machine has any issues down the road, I definitely want to know in a video. This was a great opportunity to give us an honest opinion and I feel like I can trust your judgment. I know a lot of leather crafters wouldn't lie about their reviews BUT some of them are also endorsed by the company that provides some of their machines 🤷‍♀️ so sometimes it's hard to tell if the review is genuine or not when I'm doing research. This video gives me a better idea on if I want or need a cheaper leather sewing machine now, or if I need to wait and buy a really expensive one later

[@НикитаПыко]

I'm useing same one for a year now, for heavy duty leather works - saddles, armor for roleplayers, etc. Works fine for me, there is nothing to breake there at all. But it took few hours to bring machine to "nice and polished" condition. What i done also (not included in this video) - flattened its leg a little so it stops biting the leather that hard and changed handle to more handy.

[@jin1063]

Thanks! I have had one in the corner of my shop, still in the box, for probably 2 years. I was very disapponted when it arrived and I seen the condition of it, like yours, mine came in a busted up box. I looked at the condition of it and just left it and have continued to hand sew most of my leather projects. I had forgotten all about it till seeing this video, I am now inspired to actually assemble it! Thanks, again!

[@SkillTree]

I hope you let me know hoe it goes! The setup really isn't all that bad. Let me know if you have any questions as you do!

[@pimpinondemhos101]

Sooooooo.. how goes it??

[@jin1063]

@@pimpinondemhos101 Still working on cleaning out space so I can have a dedicated work bench for fabric and leather sewing machines. Bench is built hope this weekend to bring it in the shop and then set up the machine.

[@jin1063]

@@SkillTree Well, finally had the time to get the shop cleaned up and the sewing machine assembled. Cleaning it up of all the grease and styrofoam took the longest. Then cleaning up the edges of all the metal; I took some lapping stones and smoothed all the edges I could and then built a nice wooden stand for it. Thanks, Brother; really glad I seen your video! Now that I have it cleaned and assembled, I love it! I wish I had done this 2 years ago!

[@bobbyhero123]

Little tip, I use a rare earth magnet to pull out the bobbin. With that, it comes out easily. Also, love your pros and cons for the machine. I've had similar experiences with mine. Oh, and I plastidip the foot to keep it from maring the leather.

[@mrelia]

The nice thing is you can just leave the magnet stuck to the machine somewhere out of the way and it will always be there when you need it.

[@DaniLong]

Magnet for bobbin removal: This is the way.

[@Jack-hs3fb]

I've watched a number of videos about this machine, but Cl3ver is by far the most engaging presenter so I will gladly watch another video about this machine.

[@SkillTree]

Thank you so much! That means a lot!

[@ronalddaub9740]

He even showed the 2 holes in bobbin case and spring

[@David35445]

Been running mine for a couple of years now, I have to admit, mine was far better looking out of the box than yours. And that screw head you had to mill down, mine was already done. I used the stand for my ice fishing camera, lol. The channels on the back of the crank wheel are where I used some white lithium grease. Just a touch is all you need and it works so smooth I barely have to make an effort to crank it.

[@SkillTree]

Thanks for the tip! I will be picking up some lithium grease right away to give it a shot!

[@RattsWakeUpCall]

Where do you get white lithium grease?

[@David35445]

@@RattsWakeUpCall auto parts store.

[@felixdzerjinsky5244]

Very informative....but, lose the loud music. By the way, the ears above the needle are for turning the walking foot so that you don't have to move your material. Just turn the foot in the direction that you want to sew, and it will stitch in that direction...without turning your material. This is how you can stitch things onto sleeves, repair shoes, bags, etc.....

[@dubmob151]

I used the tripod base to that was provided and it seems plenty stable and sturdy. Mine didn't have the set screws for the legs that some others did, but just press into base. That has a tendency to fall out when picking it up to move around, but a small wrap of paper or tape secures it fully from falling out. It's better with that base because it leaves the arm unobstructed to allow it to be put into recessed areas.

[@markolson7877]

I've had a CLSP for almost 8 years...sits in my basement...used it for a project sewing baseball gloves; I've evolved into way finer leather work and dusted it off the other day... Thanks for this reminder demo, I feel / felt the same way about it...I'm excited to using it again... Thank you!!!

[@bubbalansdale6301]

Loved the vid. Love your channel . Always keep it oiled. I scoured mine down, smoothed the rough edges, and gave it a coat of paint. Nylon or teflon washers on the pivot points of the rocker arms reduce wear and help it run a lot smoother/quieter. I've sewn plenty of holster leather with it even going up to the size 24 needles and 207 thread. There's just a little DIY and a learning curve. Filing down the teeth on the presser foot a bit is a big help on relieve the marks it leaves. My only wish would be a bigger bobbin for stitching belts. I've wasted a hunnerd bucks on a lot worse gadgets. Enjoy :)

[@bubbalansdale6301]

This dude has a good play list that helped a lot: kzbin.info/aero/PLIECxGWdazf3IGWiCK3lUXvTXwHlNE0IJ

[@stewartmarshall4112]

Yeah, Size 24 and 207 for me as well. Had mine about three years now. Once broken in and the rough edges smoothed up, it works fine every time. I did go to a slightly heavier oil than 3in1. I use Marvel Mystery Oil, from auto parts stores, Walmart, etc. The bobbin holds less thread, the heavier the thread, which is a bummer on bigger projects, but I bought extra bobbins and holders off eBay and keep a half dozen standing by for a quick change for longer seaming. I also made a slightly shorter foot for mine and can get almost half an inch stack of leather under the foot now. The machine walks thru it like butter.

[@possumwithaswitchblade]

So glad you love it since I was one of the people who voted you should get one. Looking forward to seeing what you make with it. Next step: attach a motor. I bolted a pulley onto the crank wheel to make my machine belt-driven, using a windshield wiper motor from an old Ford. Helps a lot when you want to be able to control your piece with both hands. You can probably come up with something more elegant, but that's what I had on hand. A treadmill motor would be ideal, because the range of speeds is wide and continuously adjustable.

[@buddyhutchins3782]

Mr. Possum, what diameters of pullies did you use? Thanks -- Anaco, Vzla.

[@possumwithaswitchblade]

@@buddyhutchins3782 I used an 8" diameter pulley on the sewing machine crank wheel, and a 4" pulley on the motor, but you might need different sizes depending on how much torque your motor has and how much speed you want.

[@HNXMedia]

Had one of these for a couple years now. I even have a video on replacing the racer bearings. This is a great video on this machine. It is not for everyone, but I works for a lot of the things I do.

[@amandatillman7716]

What is a racer bearing

[@diplexnormal3353]

Hey, I just wanted to thank you for making this video. I don’t plan on buying *this* particular machine but I am buying a Amazon Leather stitching machine that’s made by the same brand and it’s a few hundred more dollars more expensive than this one but I think it’s a great investment. I have a lot of projects that I’ve had in mind and I think that this simple industrial piece of hardware will do more than what I expect. I don’t own one yet but I have advice to anyone that wants to know how to maintain these machines to keep them in tip top shape, my answer is simple, *lubrication!* oiling every friction point and keeping tabs on them after using the machine every now and then will keep it running for as long as you can supply needles for it. More importantly, add grease to parts of the machine that won’t make a mess and to parts that deal with high bearing loads or stress, that is a little secret from me.

[@CaptDrake6969]

These machines are absolutely great. I have used a weaver 205, which is 3k easy, and bought one of these a few years back because the weaver wasn’t at my house and I’m a lazy lazy boy. These beasts can handle just as many, if not more, than the weaver. Getting used to keeping lines straight with one hand is a hurdle, BUT you can easily modify it to have a motor! Just buy an Amazon motor, attach a sewing machine pedal, groove the hand wheel, throw on a belt and bam, you saved $2800. Plus you can detach the motor if you’re going to an event or lose power. Best investment ever. Edit: I put a groove in the hand wheel for a belt with a dremel bit socketed into a battery drill. The battery drill stands up, so I just scooted the drill to the wheel, pulled the trigger, and just spun the hand wheel to start the groove. It’s not the most fun task ever, but it’s insanely worth it. Also take off the hand crank if you’re using the motor or you’ll hit yourself with it repeatedly, trust me lol

[@JelilatAdesiyan]

Hi! I’d like to add a motor to mine. Any videos that show how to do that?

[@michaelholbrook4401]

When I first started leatherworking, I considered one of these machines, but after thinking about it, decided against. Not because I didn't want to fine tune it myself, or that I thought it wouldn't work, but I considered the type of seam it creates in my leather versus a reliable saddlestitch. Once a section of your thread wears down, the whole seams comes undone, where with a saddlestitch, the remaining stitches still hold tight, giving you a chance to repair the seam without your project falling apart. How long will it take for this wearing down of the thread take? Who knows, depends on the use, but that's the main reason I did not go with one. Plus, unlike your's, my leatherworking hobby is meant to be a time-killer, hand stitching suits that. :)

[@leemcgann6470]

If you are mechanically inclined… you could make a foot treadle to power the machine so you can use both hands to guide your leather.

[@SkillTree]

That is a good idea! I should figure that out for sure!

[@leemcgann6470]

@@SkillTree i have been looking at these for some time. & that is the first mod.

[@evannielsen9013]

Okay so for what I did with mine is polish all the bobbins makes them spin easier. Next buy a lot of the leather needles. you will go through many. Now I also made a deck for going around the lower arm. so I have better control with sewing the leather. So i think this machine is so worth it. You will need to practice with it.

[@MW-tm3su]

I don't know what I liked more... the great information or watching this cute AF highly animated, eclectic dude go at it. The hands and facial exoressions crazy fun!

[@commandrogyne]

1:38 im pretty sure you're right on the money! My machining professor (who worked in a machine shop for like 35 years) says that cardboard and other wood products are HUGE rust magnets because of the tannins. Anything that gets packed in cardboard, especially long term (such as something thats shipped overseas, will be sitting in a warehouse, etc,) needs a generous coating of oil, as well as some kind of isolation layer, just in case. I suspect that this is drop shipped from existing stock in china, so a heavy layer of oil and plastic wrap checks out. Not always fun to recieve, but definitely better than recieving a rusted and unusable machine!

[@GrantStinnett]

My wife bought me one of these years ago for $250 before they hit the US market. There was no option for a leather sewing machine in the US for less than a thousand dollars or so. I forgot about this machine for years and realized recently they are selling on Amazon for $100. Crazy how easy they are to get now.

[@FlukeTog]

CCP want’s that ammo $

[@Sabe-Stormrage]

Don't know if anyone mentioned this but, like some of the older machines you can run the string thought one of the tension wheels while you are trying to put string on the bobbin. That way you don't need to hold it in tension and can just focus on distributing the string evenly on it.

[@RattsWakeUpCall]

Yes, basic sewing skills come in handy.

[@DeadEd454]

Hey Clever, I work in a kitchen. The oil coating does help prevent rust, we do whats called "seasoning the grill" where we oil it so it doesn't rust. Helps with stuff like that too. Keep up the excellent work dude love your cinematography and lighting!

[@mjp5129]

Yes, I am that kind of person. I love to buy things that doesn’t work and fix them. You’re great! Thanks

[@superstaffer]

love the video. I've had mine for over a year now. it was BEAST to get operating correctly.. it it took me weeks of tuning and fiddling to get it operating correctly. but after that. DUDE. its worth the money i saved. i have a leather business on the side and also use it to make custom camping gear and packs. its been great. i love it. if you have the time and patience to invest in getting it operating right its worth the 100$

[@jessesterland781]

"The ritual behind the work" I love all of this!

[@Javaman92]

Hand made by a master blacksmith! That alone should make someone want to support the craft. 😀

[@bradleypalmer7980]

QUALITY CONTENT! My machine just got delivered today, so glad I found a solid review

[@RandomGreymane]

There’s a lot of people that like this machine! There’s also many in the community that have added electric belt-drive to them quite easily!

[@wilsoncalhoun]

I have one of these. Sure it's rough and nothing even approaching modern, but it's also just a hundred bucks. Once you deburr, clean, and grease it it's a hell of a lot faster and cleaner than hand stitching for about the same price as a good set of punches. It's obviously not as good as a several thousand dollar industrial sewing machine but for what it is it's great.

[@mitchelltravis1187]

I have a similar unit, added grip-tape around the big wheel to make the bobbin threader grip & run better!

[@DH-xw6jp]

Do you have any plans to make an update video on the the machine is doing? Any problems that have cropped up, and any further mods you have made to it.

[@leannabjork2626]

Thank you so much for making this video. I was ready to send mine back. It's actually together and operating now. I love it! It's able to sew this denim fabric like a dream! I have lots of leather scraps i plan to sew as well. I appreciate your positive encouragement to stick with this project and not pass judgment on it until seeing how it operates. Crude, but oh so useful!

[@toekanos]

I have it myself and I love it.. Very reliable when you thread it correctly and it stiches allmost everything.

[@GregP-vu7og]

The more I watch you, the more I dig your energy. At first i thought you were way over the top but now......Ya can't help but smile along with you. Keep it up.

[@kristieanderson6878]

I love your review! I am a hands on woman and have the fingernails to prove it. 😂i don’t mind hand sewing projects in the winter but I want a quicker alternative during busier times or when a friend needs something in a hurry. Thank you for being real! I don’t usually use affiliate links but you definitely earned it!

[@Totallynonplagerizedleatherguy]

Just got mine about a week ago. So far, cleaning and threading the bobbin took the longest but now I am facing the issue of thread breakage. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong and I’ll figure it out but I love this thing already. Kudos to all the hobbyists who have the patience to fully use this thing.

[@SkillTree]

I had the same issue. The little tension disks may be too tight. Try loosing them. To be honest, I usually just end up using one of them. I find using both breaks rhe thread more often

[@Totallynonplagerizedleatherguy]

@@SkillTree So I actually spent some time fiddling with it and found out that my problem was the bobbin wasn’t aligned properly. This was causing the upper thread to get tangled and lots of tension, causing the breaks. I’m also using nylon thread now so that’s helping.

[@amandatillman7716]

Another possible reason for thread breakage is a burr on the bobbin or shuttle. Everything needs to be touched up with a little sanding and polishing here and there

[@dubmob151]

Is the thread provided much different from monofilament fishing line? It came loaded with clear thread in the bobbin and a short test length up top, so I threaded the top with the black line that was included in the box. Dual color stitching for now until the bobbin runs out-

[@deanmacka4975]

Mate I've got a tip for ya , that little wire with the hook on the end , if you get a old guitar string and bend the end and chop it to size you have a feeder thing . My late wife got me to make her them . Great stuff mate 👍

[@ellisburton8733]

Your enthusiasm is infectious 😁. That little machine is so darn cute. And yep that's at its most basic what a sewing machine is. You could also find yourself a handcrank regular sewing machine and have just as much fun making some outfits. I have one of these handcrank sewing machines and love it so much I've never been able to give it up (plus I bought it when a I lived on a canal barge so you didn't want to waste battery power 😂😂😂, guess its gonna come in handy now we have a power crisis 😂, who'd have thought).

[@ElementBushcraft]

Welp, that made my decision a lot easier. I'm definatly adding one of these to my arsenal. Thanks for this vid 🤘

[@beartankoperator7950]

i can see it being a great addition to prepping

[@M4st3r0fN0n3]

*looks at the 15x15 canvas drop cloth ive had for 10 years* *also looks at the various scraps of leather i have laying about* *also the 5 lbs of beeswax and 20 lbs of parafin wax* Yep, its on the list

[@neilatkinson174]

When it comes to pulling the bobbin out of my machine I keep a magnet handy, it saves so much swearing.

[@davidley8288]

I've been subscribed for a while now and just recently I realized all the work and dedication you put into each AMAZING video! You've helped me so much! Thanks!

[@glenb3682]

Shout out to the man. Thank you so much for the details. Still waiting for mine to arrive...come on already Amazon. I've been through most every 'tube video on these and they cover much the same stuff. But thanks yours is the first for me to show how to adjust the walking foot stitch length. That's going to be a game changer. You have probably already found out that the work piece can stay in position and the needle barrel with foot can rotate clockwise or counter to change stitching direction. Beauty! Thanks again

[@MrKirby365]

Oddly enough the way you fill the bobbin on that machine used to be considered a very be considered a very big feature because you didn't have to hand wine the bobbin like that's how we used to fill our bobbins we hand wound them at 1st. That also made it harder to control the tension of power the thread was wound onto the bobbin which led to more mistakes and not as good looking stitches.... Although the bobbin can make minor differences in your world it can occasionally decide occasionally decide as to whether or not a sewing project will turn out or be total garbage... For some machines there is attention screw included on most of the bobbin cases for some machines it's more of an automatic thing but I imagine for that machine there's gonna be some kind of tension screw and if you start having issues with your thread nesting nesting on winding really fast being really fast on winding not slow enough if the stitches are too tight or too loose it could have something to do with the bobbin case

[@kailamears657]

You definitely got one that had been returned or something. We got the same machine and all the little parts were neatly in a bag and everything was packed nicely.

[@unclesmrgol]

you don't want the mid-arm support if you are going to cobble. You need to insert the arm into the shoe.

[@crunchydragontreats6692]

Love this video. I am always on the lookout for products that can do modern things without modern conveniences like electricity. This looks like a great buy/investment for future off grid/minimal grid living. Link shows product currently not available. But, I found another similar machine in the suggestions for $130 that has a leather working kit with it. Seems like a good deal as I don’t have any leather working tools yet and will need a starter kit. Thanks for the great videos delivered with enthusiasm and honesty. Grab your ketchup and crunch away.

[@fritale]

This motivated me to finally buy this sewing Machine. Took about 5 hours to Clean, build a stand and figure out the bobbin timing. 100% worth it. Got a few pouches sewn up that I've been holding off on due to how much I hate hand sewing. Such a time saver after getting it set up!

[@fixbertha]

Yes, they work. Yes, they are very useful and will sew just about anything that fits under the presser foot. I've used mine for more than three years. But they are definitely crudely done and will take a bit of hand work before they work really well. Fixing them up takes simple hand tools and maybe a small sharpening stone to polish some surfaces. There are a number of videos of people showing how to fix them up.

[@suechan6414]

I just happened on this video. Never knew these machines existed but I think I will need to get one! Thanks for the great instructional review!

[@claudiajeanpierre3098]

Thank you for sharing. It’s the most detailed and informative video I have seen on this machine. 🙏🏽🔥

[@Patrick-it8nk]

Really a great video! I'd just discovered your channel maybe a month or two ago, and been digging into the videos further and further back. The judgement on whether one should get this or wait for a more professional machine clicked in my brain, as my kids and I are reading Fellowship of the Ring, and just got to the part I like where Frodo essentially says "Go not to the Elves for counsel for they will answer both no and yes" 🤣

[@gergemall]

I was looking online yesterday at these. I felt uncomfortable about threading it but after watching your video I may buy one . I think I’d enjoy it.fantastic video . Thank you. I BOUGHT ONE. THANK YOU. I HOPE FROM WATCHING YOU I CAN SEW SOME NICE LEATHER couch covers .

[@------country-boy-------]

This should be the official assembly guide video 🏆

[@kamikazetrashpanda3665]

You should consider either adding a motor or converting it to be treadle driven. Free up a hand for added dexterity.

[@mcollins8814]

oh man, thanks for posting this video. I was thinking about purchasing one, as my hands are still sore from my last hand stitching project, but was worried about the mixed reviews ive seen. yes hand stitching is a pain in the ass! thanks again

[@neilstaplin7179]

I see mead making is on the list, super exciting! I just did some flavoring on a batch of mead I made last month, and I always love seeing how others go about it. It's a super simple process, but is very fun to do!

[@bebopfirefly]

This is good to know. I had looked at this machine, but was hesitant, so this is cool to see! Thanks, Clever!

[@bernym4047]

I use a strong magnet that I took from a scrap hard drive to (very easily) remove the shuttle & bobbin. I am a retired sewing machine mechanic so I figured it all out for myself and made a workable stand. However, there are plenty of youtube videos like this so that anyone can get this machine working. One thing you did not mention is the universal directional feed by rotating the two 'wing nut' thingummies. Good video, thanks.

[@micwell2247]

it's definitely a larp/museum type machine, but, it works. when set up it dies have the antique looking quality

[@DannyMcLaneDC]

the top sewing head swivils so you dont have to turn the leather to sew in another direction. , also, if you want to make it run smoother, polish the raceways for the bearings in the back of the plate

[@MrKirby365]

Thank you for the awesome video I love how simple the machine is just like you and To me that has a lot of benefits you can literally see how the machine is running and therefore if something's not running correctly you can follow the path and figure out why without paying somebody to do it for you. I very much appreciate that there are experts in fields and items but sometimes it's nice when you can do things on your own

[@cyanvaughn3359]

Thanks for going into how to use it and areas to tweak! Great review!

[@nerfreak01]

Dude. Old machinery is captivating. And I totally agree about the ritual of doing certain things.

[@zhukel_marimasko]

So I bought one of these like the week I saw this video when it was first posted, and I'm just now getting it set up. I actually got an old table and cut a hole in it for the wheel so it sits lower down. Gonna thread her up tomorrow and see how she does!

[@johnlewis3445]

Best video on the internet. Thank you so much for caring.

[@BLACK3737]

I work with professional industrial sewing machines, but somehow this one, despite it's "imperfections" seems interesting. I could imagine having one, dissasemble it, take care of all the parts - basically invest some time to improve performance and presence. Because I really like the construction, I see a lot of potential for good looking tool. How long will it work? No clue, but for sure that would be fun thing to do.

[@DEWAGE83]

I was literally looking at this machine just now. Also your chanel is 🔥🔥🔥🔥. I was telling my GF last night how I want to make a chanel very similar. Me doing projects I find cool. Leather, sewing, epoxy, watch modding etc. This might be the push I needed.

[@stephenminohara2519]

I absolutely love that machine.I am going to look into getting one. I am a 'hobbyist', and money is always in short supply; I think This machine will be perfect for me. Thank you for the video.

[@jarodmorris611]

I really like how excited you get. I've seen a few other videos and your zeal is infectious. Oh, I meant that to sound like a good thing.

[@bluesfella]

Love the video, and I love your whole presentation. Me and my kids have watched 4 videos of yours in a row after discovering you today! I have one simple request, though. Can you turn down the volume of the background music just a bit? I've been a guitar player for 30 years and have lost a few frequencies in my hearing where normal speech is. So I, like many others, have a really hard time making out your words over the music. It's quite distracting. That being said, I love your channel, and we are off to Harbor Freight tomorrow to buy supplies for the cloak you made in another video! Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@ItsNeverEasy817]

You're awesome, dude. Every time I hear the Skill Tree intro music I feel happy.

[@faithwerksdesigns6197]

I need to get a cylinder arm to top stitch my bags but I'm not handy but man I wish I was because of hand cranking it you have more control on how fast it goes and it would probably look better. Thanks for sharing!

[@Davewutsup]

I recommend adding Greece to some of those pivot points rather than oil. You will end up with much smoother action and less noise. I've been watching vids on these particular sewing machines. I'm considering ordering one, and you can rig up foot pedal or electric motor to the crank arm position

[@stereodreamer23]

This machine is a GREAT value for DIYers on a budget. Not everyone can afford a $3000 Singer Upholstery machine, and this simple little manual machine works well for it's price. People who give it negative reviews are mostly people are part of the "Mom and Dad Bought me an iPhone when I was 10" crowd--never had to do anything for themselves, and spoiled with consumer goods that come ready-to-run, in surgically pristine packaging and completely idiot-proof, ikea manuals and automated setup. In other words, people who really have no business commenting on a DIY product...

[@qiqqaqwerty1713]

Excellent video mate! Thank you very much for such informative and cool video! Keep the good work and good fights! Cheers from "Down Under" !

[@Crushanator1]

That looks like it'd also be incredibly useful for thicker wool or denim, where an inexpensive electric machine just won't cut it.

[@amandatillman7716]

I use this machine to sew patches on biker vests. The pressure foot rotates 360 degrees and I can sew them on and they are still able to use the pockets. I just ordered a conversion kit from eBay and a servo motor from Amazon to be more productive. It does well on the denim and leather vests but when it comes to veg tanned I prefer my Cobra 4. The stitching isn’t always straight enough on the shoe patcher

[@AztecViking84]

You can use the same wire intended for fishing thread.. in order to gently pull the bobbin out.

[@Coldmac2011]

I have the exact same machine, and you are 100% correct about everything. The only advice I can give is put some lock tite on the crank nut and bolt. It likes to work loose with use

[@Coldmac2011]

The foot should turn as well

[@kitthazelton2309]

Thanks for doing this video! I do saddle repair, want to branch out into making other leather goods, and wanted an alternative to endless hand stitching without breaking the bank for an expensive machine. I got one of these, but sent it back due to a number of missing parts (like yours, mine came in a box that was comprehensively mangled, which may have been the reason for the missing parts). I was dubious about ordering another, but after watching this, I'm going to give it a try. Thanks again - great information!

[@NinjaHempKnight]

The only thing I noticed when you actually test the machine is that the presser foot is leaving some pretty aggressive marks in your leather. some other review videos I’ve seen on this machine they ended up sanding those down some to reduce the marring of your leather.

[@David35445]

I sprayed a couple of coats of plastiseal (that spray on plastic stuff) on the teeth of the presser foot. I was concerned about filling the teeth down because that is a consumable part.

[@possumwithaswitchblade]

I filed my presser foot down a bit and it helped a lot. Also, there is a bolt that lets you adjust the height/pressure of the foot to suit the thickness of what you're sewing which makes a world of difference.

[@NinjaHempKnight]

@@possumwithaswitchblade That is good to know. I'm been doing leatherwork professionally for about 6 years now. I've always saddle stitched everything, but as you know it really slows down production. I'm contemplating getting one of these, we'll have to see. Thanks for your input!

[@dubmob151]

is it best to adjust the pressure to the minimum amount that is still able to hold and move the material when sewing?

[@cavalaxis]

Just got the same machine and came here for setup instructions. Which is neat, cause we already followed you!

[@okie.whiskey]

Might get one, I do leather work as a hobby, and a lot of friends and family have been asking for some custom work, and stitching by hand kinda slows my process down a lot.

[@nickbraun7577]

If this thing can handle some very thick thread, I will absolutely consider getting one. I have a singer home heavy duty for light leather work and a consew 225 for medium to heavy duty. They're both great, but they struggle when I need to do very precise work on thick material with thick thread. This would be perfect for that.

[@filstewart2380]

Thanks for the review. I'm pretty okay with hand-stitching in the main, but I do have a project in mind that involves MILES of stitching... I'm hoping my hand-cranked vintage Singer is up to the task, but, if not...

[@SkillTree]

I feel you! It has definitely been a bit of a learning curve and, in my estimation, hand sewing still looks the best. Though that could just be my lack of skill with this machine. It DOES save time though. Incredibly fast.

[@amandatillman7716]

You can get better looking stitching by doing a stitch groove before sewing. Helps keep it straighter

[@varun009]

I bought a set of carpenters planes from India and if you're just willing to tune them as I did to make sure everything is running true and level with no chatter, you can get a great tool. I regard these as kits rather than completed products.

[@peters7196]

Timing! I was just looking for one today and was thinking about this exact one! Hand sewing thick leather is a physical and mental pain. What kind of thread is that? Looks like just cotton thread, does it work with thicker waxed thread? Also, did it come with needles or can you just do anything that is fairly heavy and not going to snap? Thanks, Cl3ver! Also for a laugh click the affiliate link and watch the product video... "your coloured life all in the peas"...ok... Why not upload your video as a review, it way better than the ones on there.

[@SkillTree]

GREAT IDEA!! I will 100% do that! As for the thread, the weight I am using iis B-69 and is cotton. I read that you don't want to use waxed in the machine as it will gum up the tension disks and cause too much tension, snapping the thread. As for the needles, it came with a pack of 10. There are special needles for sewing leather so you want to make sure you grad some of them if you need replacments. I get mine from Michaels.

[@bubbalansdale6301]

Bonded nylon or polyester works best

[@1981dasimpson]

now you got me thinking of making the old school leather style saddlebags for my motorcycle

[@sethtaylor2911]

So much of that machine and your setup is making me think of my wife's late grandfather's electric tools we got when we bought her grandparent's home. Everything looks like it was made before the 1950s with no user safety considered at all and he had bolted everything to random 2x4s.

[@SkillTree]

Sounds like he had some fun building his world around him.

[@rawpraisehorn5716]

I have had mine for several years now and I still really like it . I even used the three pipe legs for awhile. I did not bother to do any fancy cleaning or deburring . Have made many items , some out of very heavy duty material . I do not want to motorize it but would like to make a “ foot treadle power” option so that I can guide the material with two hands while slowly operating the sewing action with my feet. Good luck with yours .They are very much worth having , are fun , good excercise and a good creative outlet ! UPDATE ; It has been about a year since I wrote the first part . I still continue to use it regularly, in fact even tonight I was considering to use it for a project , a few days ago I made a black leather holder for my EDC flashlight that goes on my belt which already has a couple of other things on it that I made with it . The most ambitious project so far is a handlebar bag for my motorcycle. I spent extra money for really good leather for it and it came out very good. Oh one more thing , for the M/C bag I needed more room so I took off the bobbin winder and altered a couple of other minor things to increase clearance. The bobbins are easy enough to wind by hand.

[@dubmob151]

It seems fine using the tripod base, it's nice that it can be stowed away quickly in a box when not in use. It'd be nice if there were some kind of detents to prevent them from falling out when lifting it up to move around; just some tape would do for that but then it's not as quick to stow away afterwards.

[@chriscmoor]

ar·ma·ture noun 1. the rotating coil or coils of a dynamo or electric motor. 2. a metal framework on which a sculpture is molded with clay or similar material.

[@GSLybbert]

Mine was such a pain that once I got it together I put it back in the box and left it because I had run out of time for my project. I think that you should have pulled the screw out of the swinging plat and shortened it so the head was intact for your screwdriver. My machine took months to arrive.

[@DrachenGothik666]

I'm developing arthritis in my hands, and for a maker, that's practically a death knell when you do a lot of hand-stitching in leather. This machine looks amazing, and I can actually *afford* it! I'd definitely do the same or similar mods that you did for stability and preventing wear on parts like the base mounting. Having it on a big wooden plate makes it simple to move around my workspace, too. Thanks for the informative video!

[@noraternier6768]

I have one of these. Your video is excellent. It helped me. Thanks.

[@jessehemphill9406]

Thanks buddy!!! I really enjoy your videos! I just got one of these and followed what you did

[@raulrojosr5824]

l bought one 5 6 yes ago and l put a servo motor on it it works very good

[@Julia-ru9ms]

u have no idea how much i needed this video, adding to my cart rn (using your link ofc ;))