Chinese Leather Patcher Sewing Machine Review: Singer Model 29K Clone?

This is a review of the Chinese-made leather patcher sewing machine that I bought recently from eBay, from an American vendor for $220 + $40 shipping (but may be obtained for as low as $215 total, including shipping from China). I believe this is a modified version of the Singer 29K leather patcher. It is sold in China as a "shoe-repair machine" or "shoe-mending machine" and is widely used by street cobblers in China to repair shoes, handbags and other thick leather/canvass products. Recently, it is available from eBay for purchase from different vendors, some shipped from the U.S. and others shipped directly from China. In the U.K., it is re-branded, beautified and sold as the "Able 290". Some models come with a metal tripod (useful only if you like to squat as you work, like Asian street cobblers). Since mine did not come with a tripod, I made a wooden base for it myself, which works just fine. This video will show you how the machine is treaded and operated. Hope this will help you to decide if you are in the market for an inexpensive "industrial-strength" walking-foot leather sewing machine. A higher-priced alternative would be the Techsew 2900 Patcher ($1900 from Amazon), which appears to be a true clone of the Singer 29K. A used, century-old genuine Singer 29K would run you well above $450, if you can find one.