As a guy who sews for a living this is an interesting thread. I started sewing by hand with leather and sinew. When I learned how good I was at sewing when I was in high school I took a lot of flack. I cared a little about what others thought then but now I love what I do and just say "how ya like me now!" lol.
I have 3 Singers like some of you have been showing. A portable, a treadle and the first electric model. I paid $50 each for the ones with tables and $32 for the portable. These machines are great but can not do what an industrial walking foot can do. Ideally you would want a machine where the foot walks and helps move your material along in conjunction with the feed dog underneath. The home machines just do not compare.
The industrial machines can be pricey but you can find a deal now and then. I am currently selling my Brother industrial and asked $800 or trade for a car. Well....I have a Ranchero with a 302 coming to me tomorrow
I'm not a Ranchero kind of guy but I like to trade for value.
As you fellas find your way around your machine ventures I just wanted to remind you that if you find a machine that can do what it is that you want, it is important to use industrial strength thread and proven strong sewing patterns. I have seen the same sewing pattern hold up to pull/drop testing with industrial thread and break apart with a lighter thread.
As for the machine that sews through all those layers of webbing, foam and cordura, it is a beast of a Singer that does that for the Aero. The needle is almost as wide as my hand. A baby spear.
Anyways, good luck and be safe. It is an interesting thread.
