EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

I have seen photos in the past of guys sewing extra material on their vest for added protection etc. What type sewing machine is needed to do that I'm interested in trying my hand at modifying some and could use input on the best wat to go about it thanks for the help in advance

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Not sure on the type of sewing machine, but I think it would need to be sumin pretty industrial and I think the actual sewing needle will be the key. I've been thinking about modifying a vest too. But rather than add more layers of Kevlar or cloth, I was thinking about inserting a couple of those flexible cutting boards between the layers of Kevlar. I think it would work real well around the body of the dog and I just cannot see a tusk penetrating thru that stuff. the cutting boards used would probably be less in weight than the Kevlar, just overlap the sheets a little and sew them into place... 

That's a good idea I been looking at adding some seatbelt webbing stuff is stout won't absorb water an can probably get a lot from a junkyard cheap. I've done some research and the ball tip needles sound like the ticket. Just not sure what machine would be able to put up enough tension an have the power

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JMO...I sent my vest to Harcore and they added extra material for $15.  Work was completed professionally and looks great.  It was money well spent and I think it is one of those things that is probably left best for someone that knows exactly what they are doing with the right equipment.  I have a sewing machine shop that works for me and we have 15 different machines, I dont know how many types of needles, and oh by the way, it takes a speacial thread. 

By the time you get a machine, needle, thread and whatever else, you may have spent well over what it cost for someone else to repair.

I was a big hardcore fan, just bought a tank vest at earls 150$ for the vest first decent hog poke through and missing leg flap. Previous hardcore vest 4 out of 5 have poke throughs. An I'm not catching big nasty hogs or anything just decent hogs with decent teeth. Buddies RCD vest two poke throughs. Am I a fan of hardcore now not so much. Two sets of hobbles broke on the same hog. I'll take my chances at making some repairs and adding some material if I can figure out what machine I need. Kevlar/nylon  thread isn't very expensive. Keeps running through my mind if I'm getting cuts on these hogs whats gonna happen when I do come across a big hog with big sharp teeth

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Don't get me wrong I don't think there is a mericle fabric or vest out there but I've seen and heard plenty testimonials on here of guys running vest for sometimes 8yrs and never having a pass thru. Mine are at the oldest 2.5yrs and newest less than a couple months. It wouldn't bother me if the outside gets shreaded and needs repaired or replaced but when its common to expect to see blood after a decent hog on the inside of the vest I have a issue

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I bought my original machine from a saddle shop up in Bluff Dale. It's an old school Singer 132k10, and its a big old machine that was just too big for some of the smaller stuff. I bought this machine in '06, and it is a jam up machine. Does anything I want it to do. Neel's Saddlery model 0797. Can't say enough good about it. Customer service is great also. I have sewn leather that is probably around 1/4" thick with it. A piece of 12 oz backed with 6 oz.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/26/agara4at.jpg)
As far as adding to vests, the two best I have used is nylon latigo, and th seatbelt material. The stiffer latigo, like you order for bronc saddles or bareback riggings is what I like, but normal ones will work also.
Vest with latigo on bottom and seat belt on sides.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/26/a3ugypu7.jpg)
Kevlar collar sewn w machine.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/26/myhe3yra.jpg)

This I another one I did. You can see on this one the melted edges. That is the main reason I don't like to use the regular latigo a like you buy at TSC. They are loosely woven, and the edges don't melt well. They fray real bad after a couple hunts. It doesn't hurt their performance, it just looks ugly. They also have holes in them, so you lose a little went in length. The rough stock latigo are tighter, and melt and stay together, plus, no holes. Just some observations I have seen!!
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/26/jamaruma.jpg)

Thanks for the help is there a certain thing I need to look for in a machine so it can handle the thickness of the vest? I've looked a lot into them over the last couple days and still can't seem to find any good info on what it will take. Does it need to be a walking foot machine or just a industrial grade machine or could a household machine do it with special needles and thread? Don't plan on using it much at all so not wanting to break the bank buying one. If it would be possible with a smaller machine id like to give it a try an see if I like it then may upgrade later.

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   if you decide to go the home sew machine route , tandy leather sells a leather needle to fit the home models that is a tough one  . I went thru many needle gauges until I used them .

I use 4" sling straps to reinforce my cut vests. Works great.

I would at least go with an industrial grade machine. Walking foot is the way to go. The main problem I see with using a smaller machine, that may be just big enough, is room. If you are repairing/ retrofitting vests that are already built, it is hard to get into some of the spots to sew them. You have to work around all the curves. Leg flaps are the hardest part on a regular flatbed machine. If I was gonna buy another machine to use to work on vests, I would get a deep throat machine. If you have been looking, it's the ones that stand alone, and have the needle and bobbin extended out from the machine. That would take care of the clearance issues with the normal machines. They make a flatbed attachment for those machines for regular sewing also.
When you find one, PM me, I will be more than glad to check it out.

Thanks for the help guys I'll keep looking and see what I can find what type machine do you use halfbreed?

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  I don't have it any more but it was my mom's old singer she had had for years , they made them a lot tougher back then lol .

hey man just buy a p&p and be done with it