Case Making, Commercial Sewing Macines

Chopdoc

Chopdoc

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The wife and I have been talking about putting together some leather cases. We've been looking around at machines and ran into these at a local flea market.

I don't know much about them except that they were from a retired shoemaker.

Does anybody know these machines? What should I check out on them and how? I know how to run a regular sewing machine but this beast is a whole different level. Not even sure what to look for in it. I found them refurbished online for anywhere from $1,700 - $2,000, but I can't find much info on them. Don't even know if they would be useful in my application, though to my inexperienced eyes they sure look like they would.

I had the model and serial number written down but now I can't find it. It's a Sutton Landis. I think it was something like an SL-71, called a patcher?

Any help or advice would be great.

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They also have this leather cutting machine:

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Thanks for the response. :)

The thing is, I can get that Sutton Landis for a couple hundred bucks. I don't even have that at the moment, but maybe after Christmas. Maybe I can put something on it for them to hold it. Maybe.

That's a lot of Maybe's, I know. But there's no way I'll come up with a couple grand, so a maybe is better than a no way. :)

And if this one is no good, gone, or I can't afford it yet, I'll learn something and apply it to the search.

I have seen smaller commercial machines and have passed up some deals just because I didn't have the money. I am talking about shorter arm older Singers but in beautiful condition for under a hundred bucks. But if I can get something like this for a couple hundred and make it work it seems like a monster deal that can sew "anything", but I don't know.
 
Well I totally understand what you're saying about money......If it was me I would take a good sized stack of leather thats at least .75" thick and have them do a demo for you so you can see the machine go thru it. That is the test I would use, as far as capacity goes. Have them show you how it works and how to use it. Ask where to buy parts if you need them, etc.

The other option you can look at is Tippman Boss, which is a manual stitcher, but again it can get spendy by time its fully equipped.
 
Great idea, but there are two problems with that. Nobody there knows how to run it, they got it from a retired shoemaker they say. Then, it has no motor.

A motor and belt is the easy part, other than that it looks complete, but I am not sure if there are any specific things to check out on such a machine. Obviously I need to verify that it isn't frankly broken and that it turns/isn't seized or something, but beyond that I am at a loss. Of course, no matter what it is a gamble on such a thing, but I am trying to minimize the gamble if possible by learning something here if possible.

Also I don't know how specialized this machine is and if it would in fact not be good for what I intend. Having the long arm is great, but without a table/bed to sew on I am not sure if it would actually hamper producing long straight stitches as would be needed in seams on a long case. I think it would be great for tight areas and tight turns, but for the long work would it just be a pain in the but?

Thanks so much for your input. It is greatly appreciated.
 
Heres my opinion....Your looking at a bunch of headaches, and you'll be disappointed in the end. I'm a knifemaker, and I make lots of sheaths. All of them are handstitiched, which isnt that bad, if I don't pile them up 10-12 at time.

I don't own a machine myself, but have gone thru exactly what you're doing right now. I have seen tons of machines on Craigslist and other places, and thought ........well if I just did this, I could make this work and I would be saving a lot of money.

Its the same thought guys have with bandsaws, grinders, and so on. They buy the cheaper one and end up buying the one they really want down the road and then they have 2. Some guys can jerry rig things and make it work in their shops, but they never count their time spent "fooling around" with it as a cost.

One of the big things with these machines is support and service. My advice would be save up your money and decide which machine meets your needs, and then look for a used one locally from a place with good support and service when you need it.

I would also make yourself a simple case "butterfly style" (think thats what its called) and hand stitch it, if you have never done it. You can do very nice, clean work if you take your time..... Again just my opinion so take it for what its worth. -Larry
 
Thank you.

I have hand stitched leather before. Not interested in doing an entire case that way. As it happens I have made knife sheaths, among other things.

You make knives? You probably know of Hugh Bartrug of Ashley Forge fame. He died in 09, but years ago I helped put an elevator in his house after he had a stroke. I used to spend some time at the forge and watch him work, learned a thing or two as well. The man made amazing damascus. I have made a few knives as well, but nothing so special.

As for working on the machine, I'm not worried about that. I'm not too worried about the time it would take, only the expense. Heck, working on it would probably be half the fun for me. From what I have found out it is in fact a top notch machine. I just don't know if it suits the purpose or how to check it out properly, what to look for.

I am not planning on going into business per se, just ramping up the hobby and more or less playing around.

I know that when people ask about such things in the forums regarding lathes the comments are usually along the lines of " I started out that way but you should get a loan and invest 30 grand to start" I have seen almost that exact advice given. Which, all do respect to the ones who give it, is complete BS.

I won't be making any butterfly cases. The design I have been working on does not reflect or copy anything that I have seen produced before. That's why I want to do it. The "cowboy" cases have been beaten to death, suitcase style has fallen off the map, tube style has been done and re-done. I have a design that incorporates the benefits of all of them while leaving their flaws behind. At least that's the way I see it, and my goal would be to make a case for me. If I made any more that would be nice, but I don't need to.

I have made a few cases before. A couple of hard cases and a few soft ones.

I just want to see if anybody knows anything that can help me out with checking out this machine.

If I was worried about a "fixer-upper" I wouldn't be riding a classic Triumph chopper, I would have saved up my money and bought a new Honda, Harley, BMW etc. It breaks I fix it. Parts aren't available, I make them, or have them made. What you might see as cost may not apply in this case. I'm not going into business, I am engaging in my hobby because it's fun and interesting. :)

I really do get it, and I appreciate the advice. Thank you. :)
 
I didnt know him, but it sounds like he was a hell of guy. If you like working on things like that machine, and you're into it, the more power to ya. Good luck with it, and I hope it works out.

Larry
 
He was an amazing man. One of those people that touches others and inspires.

I was shocked when he died. I knew it was coming, but still...... I wish I could tell him how much he did for me.
 
sewing machines

You would probably get more helpful info from a leather crafting site like Leatherworker.net.
www.leatherworker.net

They have lots of specific forums and some extremely knowledgeable folks. G/L with your endeavors. :)
 
I can hand stitch like no ones business.
I used to have to suture the post mortems.
I used to do a baseball stitch. In fact, the people used to look like a baseball when I was done. I had calluses on the inside of my pinky fingers from pulling on the thread.

I have also made some moccasins. Stitching leather is much harder.
 
cue making machine

the machines are for making boots and no use for cues, how I this is because I watch a boot maker use the same machines
 
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I know what it's for.

Why do you say it's of no use for making cues? I never intended to make a cue with it.

Did you read anything above?

Thanks for the response though.....
 
the patchers are good machines and have the advantage of being able to sew in any direction as the sewing head rotates 360 degrees. The main draw back is they can only handle a thread size of about 138 on top and 69 on the bobbin. They also use a very small bobbin and will need to reload the bobbin often. I dont know the type of cases you are planning on building but bear in mind the patcher will sew 2 layers of 3 to 4 ounce leather easily and 5 to 6 oz is a strain beyont that they are useless i have one and am familiar with the limits. I also have a toro 4000 and love it. If you have any questions or need any advice give me a pm or call.

Monty
 
Thanks so much!

That tells me a lot actually.

I would guess the length of the arm can be an advantage as well.

I am just coming back to this myself after getting through the holidays. I'll contact you if I have any questions. Thank you again for the kind offer. :thumbup:
 
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