Anybody own a hand crank leather stitcher?

[stuckmotor]

I've been curious about the inexpensive leather stitchers for some time.
My questions are:
Do they work satisfactorily?
Are parts available?
They all look the same to me. Are parts interchangeable between brands?

Here's a link to a random example.

https://www.amazon.com/FamYun-Cobbler-Repair-Machine-Mending/dp/B07T8GNPRW/ref=sr_1_8?crid=D22QHP1NV73K&keywords=Leather%2Bstitcher&qid=1644254985&sprefix=leather%2Bstitcher%2Caps%2C454&sr=8-8&th=1

 

[oosik]

No - never seen one like that. We had a shoe repair shop in my home town. The fellow had a treadle and belt drive machine. Advantage - both hands are free to handle the leather. He eventually updated with a small electric motor. Probably from a Singer sewing machine.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Looks neat. According to the reviews on that one people seem to like it for what it is, but requires a little fit and finish work. Also found a youtube video of one.

 

[Tinhack]

Looks neat. According to the reviews on that one people seem to like it for what it is, but requires a little fit and finish work. Also found a youtube video of one.

It says it's hand made. Don't expect to find spare parts. Or for it to even work without some modifications. I have an old Singer retrofitted with a 3/4hp PWM motor I've used to make auto upholstery and sew leather. I don't think I'd be making shoes with it but it performs well. I've made a few leather holsters with it.

 

[stuckmotor]

I have a spare sewing machine motor but no foot pedal and also an old.singer. Maybe I should think about this until the price reaches $200.

 

[Moxie 15]

I used to do leather work. I expect that machine would work well up to a point. Most tools for leather work need a bit of practice and tweeking to learn what they can and cannot do.

 

[etpm]

I've been curious about the inexpensive leather stitchers for some time.
My questions are:
Do they work satisfactorily?
Are parts available?
They all look the same to me. Are parts interchangeable between brands?

Here's a link to a random example.

https://www.amazon.com/FamYun-Cobbler-Repair-Machine-Mending/dp/B07T8GNPRW/ref=sr_1_8?crid=D22QHP1NV73K&keywords=Leather%2Bstitcher&qid=1644254985&sprefix=leather%2Bstitcher%2Caps%2C454&sr=8-8&th=1

I have been looking at these machines too. They look fascinating. My brother does some leatherworking as a hobby and he is intrigued by these machines. He told me that because of the way lower arm is built it would be perfect for all sorts of stitching in tight places.
There are many videos on YouTube showing operation of these machines, as well as reviews of certain machines. YouTube also has videos showing how to clean up, deburr, and tune up these machines. Folks have also posted videos showing how they added a motor to their machine.
If I buy one I will go through it to remove all sharp edges except for any that need to remain sharp. Make the machine look well used even though it isn't. After watching several videos it looks like this is a necessary step that needs to be done in order to make the machine perform flawlessly. I will also be adding a motor.
I already have a very nice sewing machine that does pretty much everything the average non-commercial would want. And it does it fast. But it weighs a ton and I hate to drag it out. I also have a Singer Featherweight machine. It weighs 11 pounds. Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Featherweight . I bought it at a garage sale for 5 or 10 bucks. I bought it just because I wanted to tinker with it. Someone had messed with it before I bought it and it was way out of adjustment. But I was able to get it cleaned up, timed, and running well without much effort. The leather sewing machine you are asking about is a much simpler machine so it ought to be fairly simple to tune one up and make it run great.
If I do buy one I will add a motor for it first thing. There are YouTube videos showing how to do this too.
Eric

 

[stuckmotor]

I have been looking at these machines too. They look fascinating. My brother does some leatherworking as a hobby and he is intrigued by these machines. He told me that because of the way lower arm is built it would be perfect for all sorts of stitching in tight places.
There are many videos on YouTube showing operation of these machines, as well as reviews of certain machines. YouTube also has videos showing how to clean up, deburr, and tune up these machines. Folks have also posted videos showing how they added a motor to their machine.
If I buy one I will go through it to remove all sharp edges except for any that need to remain sharp. Make the machine look well used even though it isn't. After watching several videos it looks like this is a necessary step that needs to be done in order to make the machine perform flawlessly. I will also be adding a motor.
I already have a very nice sewing machine that does pretty much everything the average non-commercial would want. And it does it fast. But it weighs a ton and I hate to drag it out. I also have a Singer Featherweight machine. It weighs 11 pounds. Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Featherweight . I bought it at a garage sale for 5 or 10 bucks. I bought it just because I wanted to tinker with it. Someone had messed with it before I bought it and it was way out of adjustment. But I was able to get it cleaned up, timed, and running well without much effort. The leather sewing machine you are asking about is a much simpler machine so it ought to be fairly simple to tune one up and make it run great.
If I do buy one I will add a motor for it first thing. There are YouTube videos showing how to do this too.
Eric

Thank you for your reply. Your message was very informative. I've ordered A BEAMNOVA machine plus the kit in the following link. Something like this kit is what I had in mind when I asked about replacement parts

Amazon.com

 

[etpm]

Thank you for your reply. Your message was very informative. I've ordered A BEAMNOVA machine plus the kit in the following link. Something like this kit is what I had in mind when I asked about replacement parts

Amazon.com

When you get your machine up and running could you please post about it? Maybe what you had to do to tune it up and how satisfied you are with the machine?
I know the machines aren't made for commercial use but they are certainly faster than hand stitching. Typical of folks my age I have arthritis in my hands and something like this would make life easier for me if it worked well. It would be so much faster than the hand stitching I have done in the past.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[stuckmotor]

Eric,
Provided I like the looks of the machine enough not to send it back. I'll try to get some information up. I have arthritis in my fingers. Luckily, only one hurts enough to mention. Good luck with yours.