Industrial Sewing Machine - advice wanted

[Kerne]

I've been making canvas and leather rucksacks of late but it is clear that this is putting an enormous strain on our domestic sewing machine. A little research has shown me that I need a walking foot machine for medium to heavy duty materials. Are there any experts out there with any idea of what constitutes a decent buy? Some of the prices I've seen are astronomical!

 

[Imagedude]

Walking foot machines are expensive but I don't think they are required for your type of work. Plenty of cheap industrial Singer machines on ebay, try searching for Singer 29* or Singer 31*

 

[JohnC]

Ive found that a hand turned singer with a denim needle and upholstery thread can be used with leather and heavy canvas, often very cheap in charity shops...

 

[Kerne]

Thanks, chaps. I must admit that I hadn't considered a manual machine - perhaps that's the way forward at a reasonable price.

 

[Teepee]

Lots of the old singers were converted to electric, so its not to bad to use them. My old 1920's singer will sew triple thicknesses of webbing and leather without much trouble.