Post Bed Sewing Machine Buying Guide

One of the most popular sewing machines for footwear and apparel production is the post bed sewing machine, which features a vertical post allowing the user to easily maneuver the product being sewn. Post bed machines commonly feature a roller foot or roller feed, which is a feeding mechanism which compresses and guides the material being sewn and allows for more easily maneuvering the product, sewing along edges and into precise areas.

Post bed sewing machines are commonly used for the following applications:

• Footwear and sneaker construction
• Sewing patches onto hats and apparel
• Leather goods
• Garment sewing and repairs

When sewing the upper parts of a sneaker, the post bed's open sewing area will allow the operator to turn and maneuver the various layers being sewn without interference from any part of the machine. The roller foot allows for increased visibility while precisely sewing your stitches along the edges and borders of the material.

When sewing patches onto hats and apparel, the operator can easily turn and rotate the hat without having to compress or fold it during its sewing. The roller foot will compress the patch while sewing a border stitch that will secure the patch to the hat. 

Post bed machines are available with the following feeding mechanisms:

• Roller foot with drop feed
• Synchronized upper and lower roller feed
• Walking foot or compound feed

Roller Foot with Drop Feed:

Drop feed is the most common type of feed mechanism in home and industrial sewing machines, which is where the feed dog pushes up against the bottom of the material and advances it into the machine while the material is being sewn. The roller foot compresses and guides the material and allows for more easily maneuvering the product, sewing along edges and sewing into precise areas.

This feeding mechanism is appropriate for most types of materials used in footwear and apparel production (leather, suede, faux leather, denim, canvas, foams, synthetic materials).

Synchronized Upper and Lower Roller Feed:

A synchronized upper and lower roller feed is a feed mechanism where the roller foot is gear driven and is synchronized with the feed dog to advance the material into the machine while the material is being sewn. The roller foot compresses and guides the material and allows for more easily maneuvering the product, sewing along edges and sewing into precise areas.

This feeding mechanism is appropriate for most types of materials used in footwear and apparel production (leather, suede, faux leather, denim, canvas, foams, synthetic materials), and has an advantage over a drop feed mechanism when sewing significantly thicker/bulkier materials, or if the user wishes to sew other kinds of products that may be thicker or more multi-layered.

Walking Foot or Compound Feed:

A walking foot or compound feed is a feed mechanism where the presser feet "walk" the material into the machine, and the needle moves back and forth in tandem with the inside presser foot to help feed the material. Compound walking foot machines keep consistent downwards pressure on the material, preventing multi-layered products from shifting while sewing.

This feeding mechanism is suitable for most types of materials used in footwear and apparel production and is especially useful if the user is sewing very thick and multi-layered products such as belts, straps, leather goods, upholstery and more.

Differences between the Techsew 810, 830 and 860:

Which machine is best for me?

• The Techsew 810 is suitable for most types of materials used in footwear and apparel production (leather, suede, faux leather, denim, canvas, foams, synthetic materials).
• The Techsew 830 is also suitable for most types of materials used in footwear and apparel production, and has the advantage over the 810 if the user wishes to sew thicker and more multi-layered materials and other types of products. The 830 can sew up to 3/8” thick material and can use up to size #22 needle and size #138 thread.
• The Techsew 860 is also suitable for most types of materials used in footwear and apparel production, and has a more powerful feeding mechanism than the 810 and 830. The 860 can sew up to 3/8” thick material and can use larger needle and thread sizes. The 860 uses a larger bobbin size. The 860 can use up to size #24 needle and size #138 thread.

What is the “PRO” package

Available with the Techsew 810 or 830, the PRO package includes:

• Automatic Needle Position System– designed for improved efficiency, the SmartServo-NP motor will automatically stop the needle in the down position when the operation pedal is released, thus allowing the operator to more easily turn the product to sew a 90-degree corner.
• Swing Down Roller Edge Guide– adjustable and easy to swing up and out of the way, the roller edge guide helps to feed the material in a straight line thus improving stitch accuracy.
• Flatbed Table Attachment– the attachment fits directly over the cylinder arm, converting it to a flatbed machine to facilitate sewing of flat products such as wallets and belts.
• Speed Reducer Pulley – The speed reducer pulley is installed in combination with the variable speed Servo motor, further reducing the sewing speed to less than 1 stitch per second.
• Rubber Roller Foot- Helps alleviate foot marking on soft leather.
• Accessories Package – an accessories package comprising of 1 spool of size #69 bonded nylon sewing thread, 3 packages of needles (size #18), 8 bobbins.

Do I need a speed reducer?

For beginners and for those requiring the slowest sewing speed, a speed reducer pulley can be added by our technicians to provide additional torque and speed reduction to the machine. The motor already equipped with the machine allows for very slow sewing (approximately 2 stitches per second). A speed reducer will further reduce the sewing speed to approximately 1 stitch per second.

If you need assistance choosing the right sewing machine for your needs, feel free to reach out to our helpful team for expert advice!