The Ferdco Pro 6/6 has been hugely popular in the marketplace since it was first built in 1999. And there’s no question why–this is one sexy sewing machine!
I don’t own one, but often covet the one at our local custom bootmaker’s shop. It’s definitely on my list of “must have machines” for someday. This is a heavy duty harness stitcher or saddle stitcher designed for sewing multiple layers of thick leather together. The sewing thickness possible is 7/8 inches; and the throat depth is 9.5 inches–there’s plenty of room to maneuver your piece. This is a cylinder arm style, lockstitch sewing machine. So it only sews a straight harness-style stitch.
If you’re going for speed, this is probably not your best choice. It sews up to a speed of 400 stitches per minute. But when you’re working on thick leather, you need superior control over your stitching. Using a lower speed machine helps achieve that control.
I’ve seen the Ferdco Pro 6/6 used for heavy harness, bridles and halters, motorcycle bags, saddle skirt, chaps, holsters and gun belts, and historical reenactor supplies including Medieval armor, archery quivers, buckets, cases and more. And you can move from thick to thin leather with little or no tension adjustments needed. Of course, if you have other lighter materials like upholstery fabric, nylon webbing or tent canvas to sew, it will go right through with no problems. Many craftsmen who use this machine specialize in lighter materials like notebook covers, vests and such.
I love that you can run it by electricity or by the hand crank. Very handy for old-timey demonstrations and reenactments. Also very handy for quick armor and tent repairs on the battlefield (you know, no electricity in the 14th century.) It even sounds old-fashioned with the ka-chunk, ka-chunk of the flywheel and gears.
Now, if you’re used to sewing leather with two hands available to guide the materials, it might be tricky getting used to cranking with your right hand and guiding with your left. I have heard of some people rigging the hand crank to a foot pedal, though. Users don’t seem to have any problems making modifications to suit their needs. It’s easy to do that when all the parts are mechanical, not computerized.
Here are the Ferdco Pro 6/6 Technical Specifications:
- Make – Ferdco
- Model – #6/6
- Type – Cylinder-Arm
- Classification – Heavy Saddle & Harness Stitcher
- Foot Lift – 1 inch
- Sewing thickness – 7/8 inches
- Throat Depth – 9 1/2 inches
- Shuttle Style – Oscillating
- Bobbin Style – Barrel
- Needle System – 331LR
- Needle Sizes – 200, 230, 250
- Thread Sizes – 138, 207, 277, 346, 415
- Speed – up to 400 SPM
- Power – 110V
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