Basics For Ga5-1R?

[dailywarren]

You guys are always excellent with your feedback and it's appreciated. Thank you.

I just assembled my Techsew GA5-1R. I've explored the machine and have familiarized myself with threading and spooling a bobbin, but am utterly ignorant when it comes to some basics. For instance:

- the presser foot: do you use both feet, the left foot for running the motor and the right foot for adjusting the pressure of the foot (the machine's foot) on the leather you're sewing?

- although tested and adjusted before being disassembled and shipped to me, my first stitches simply bunched up a lot of thread down where the shuttle works. By using the pedal and moving the leather around a bit, I can now punch a neat row of holes in a piece of leather but it doesn't actually stitch. It appears to tie a knot in the two threads on the first pass and then gets fouled around the bobbin shuttle.

- the tension seems so tight that it's fraying the main thread (not the lower bobbin thread).

Sorry so basic, and one of my actual questions is if anyone can recommend a book or video on the very basics of machine sewing and general operation? I have reviewed the information that came with the machine and looked at the videos for my model of Techsew on youtube but would really like some help shortening my learning curve. I'm a good student and would pay for some expertise if someone in the Midwest here is familiar with the GA5-1R.

Thanks for all,

Spencer

[Techsew Ron]

Hi Spencer,

- The left pedal is the one that operates the machine. You do not need to use the pedal on the right while you are sewing, this pedal operates the presser foot lift and is used only to lift the foot so you can move your leather in and out before/after sewing.

- If thread is bunching up around the shuttle, you need to make sure you're threading the machine properly before continuing to sew. In the following video, you will see step-by-step instructions on how to thread the Techsew GA5-1R, follow it carefully.

- If the thread is fraying, make sure you are using bonded nylon thread and the right combination of needle size and thread size. Click on the following link for a chart of the proper needle/thread size combinations. http://raphaelsewing.com/blog/?p=11 .

And remember, practice practice practice! Grab some leather scraps and practice sewing on them to get a good feel for your new Techsew machine.

If you have any other questions or need more help with the basics of the machine, feel free to give us a call anytime toll-free at 1-866-415-8223 and we'd be more than happy to help you out.

Thanks,

Ron

[Art]

You need a little course in getting it running from your dealer. Most of them can help you get started over the phone in a few minutes. The GA5 is just a regular sewing cylinder arm machine on steroids, nothing special, even the local sewing shop can help.

I assume you are talking about the pedals not the presser feet? Press the pedal to sew (make the motor go) press the other one to lift the presser foot. You don't press them at the same time, or there will be a mess.

Art

You guys are always excellent with your feedback and it's appreciated. Thank you.

I just assembled my Techsew GA5-1R. I've explored the machine and have familiarized myself with threading and spooling a bobbin, but am utterly ignorant when it comes to some basics. For instance:

- the presser foot: do you use both feet, the left foot for running the motor and the right foot for adjusting the pressure of the foot (the machine's foot) on the leather you're sewing?

- although tested and adjusted before being disassembled and shipped to me, my first stitches simply bunched up a lot of thread down where the shuttle works. By using the pedal and moving the leather around a bit, I can now punch a neat row of holes in a piece of leather but it doesn't actually stitch. It appears to tie a knot in the two threads on the first pass and then gets fouled around the bobbin shuttle.

- the tension seems so tight that it's fraying the main thread (not the lower bobbin thread).

Sorry so basic, and one of my actual questions is if anyone can recommend a book or video on the very basics of machine sewing and general operation? I have reviewed the information that came with the machine and looked at the videos for my model of Techsew on youtube but would really like some help shortening my learning curve. I'm a good student and would pay for some expertise if someone in the Midwest here is familiar with the GA5-1R.

Thanks for all,

Spencer

[dailywarren]

Thanks, guys. I'll keep up the research and the practice, practice, practice! I love the machine and will also get the seller on the phone for a quick run-through.

Spencer

Hi Spencer,

- The left pedal is the one that operates the machine. You do not need to use the pedal on the right while you are sewing, this pedal operates the presser foot lift and is used only to lift the foot so you can move your leather in and out before/after sewing.

- If thread is bunching up around the shuttle, you need to make sure you're threading the machine properly before continuing to sew. In the following video, you will see step-by-step instructions on how to thread the Techsew GA5-1R, follow it carefully.

- If the thread is fraying, make sure you are using bonded nylon thread and the right combination of needle size and thread size. Click on the following link for a chart of the proper needle/thread size combinations. http://raphaelsewing.com/blog/?p=11 .

And remember, practice practice practice! Grab some leather scraps and practice sewing on them to get a good feel for your new Techsew machine.

If you have any other questions or need more help with the basics of the machine, feel free to give us a call anytime toll-free at 1-866-415-8223 and we'd be more than happy to help you out.

Thanks,

Ron