How long can I delay court to hire a private attorney?

I appeared in my 1st court appearence and the public defender didn't seem to interested in defending my case, which I had mentioned I spoke to a private attorney so he ask if i would rather like to hired a private attorney. I replied yes, So he requested to the judge to contiune in 3 weeks so I can hired private attorney, I want to hire private attorney but need more time to come up with the money to hire a attorney, How much more time may I request from the court so I can hire a private attorney?

All you can do is ask the Judge for more time. He/she will give you one or two continuances but not forever.