Strap sewing question

[NTA_Shawn]

I have a set of ENO Atlas straps, but have been contemplating making another set for some reason. Will an ordinary sewing machine go through such type of strapping? Or do I need a heavy duty type of machine?
My girlfriend has a "decent" Singer, but I don't want to ruin it if I can help it.

Thanks in advance

[Mannowar]

Straps were my first intro into thread injecting and my wife's old singer worked fine. I have since sewn up many Of' straps.

[Ramblinrev]

Part of it depends on what a "decent Singer" means. A $99 big box special may need help to get the needle through. In which case turn the fly wheel by hand. It will take a little longer but you'll save the motor wear and tear. An old cast iron boat anchor machine that runs well will punch right through without breaking a sweat. Two things to watch out for is lugging the motor and stressing plastic gears to the breaking point. The first you can hear if you listen carefully. The second is more likely to be an unexpected catastrophic failure. In either case, hand turning will keep the machine from working too hard if you have any concerns.

[Syb]

turn the fly wheel by hand.

This is how I did my first strap. Works wonders, takes a little bit of time, but peace of mind won out.

[gmcttr]

It is also dependent on the webbing you use. The weave of some webbing is loose and sews easily, while other webbing has a tight weave that can be more problematic.

[CamoDeafie82]

It is also dependent on the webbing you use. The weave of some webbing is loose and sews easily, while other webbing has a tight weave that can be more problematic.

VERY true. Also; the thickness of some webbing is more difficult than others; for example, old US military cargo slings; are VERY thick, the equivalent of 4-8 layers of seat belt webbing.......thus requiring hand stitching with awls. You may want to look into machines that people recommend for working on leather or shoe cobbling; those are usually cast iron/boat anchor old machines that are able to punch through just about anything short of plastic, and even then, some plastics can be stitched through.

[NTA_Shawn]

I figured I would end up turning the fly wheel by hand. I also remembered a custom knife maker I know has a few truly heavy duty sewing machines for when he make leather sheathes. May get with him when I decide to make the straps. I think the machine the gf has would go through seatbelt type thickness. But I think I'll go with the knifemaker's.