Dog Teeth Ripping Apart My Leather.

[The Major]

Ok, so I have had this sewing machine for quite a number of years now. And I have just grinned and bared it since I got fed up trying to adjust it.

This is what is happening. I am sewing along. Finish up my project, cut it loose from the machine, turn it over and find the feed dogs teeth are digging into my leather. (The more severe the thicker the leather is.) I have tried adjusting the amount of pressure on the foot thinking that may be the problem. But alas, it is not.

I have thought about filing a flat on the teeth to see if that would work, but before I get too drastic, I thought I would ask.

I have been able to remove the marks with a slicker. But I shouldn't have to do that. Machinery is supposed to save time.

Thoughts anyone? Thank you in advance!

[Luke Hatley]

Major try putting a coupla layers of Duct Tape on the teeth. this has worked for me.

it that dont work..........get the file out...............

[Kevin]

You don't say what machine you have, but the feed dog height itself is adjustable on some machines.

Kevin

[The Major]

Its a leighton mach 1.

Luke, I'll give it a whirl. Thanks.

Kevin, I did not know that. I'll check it out.

Thanks guys.

[CowboyBob]

We sell the same machine & have found out it's the drag of the foot that causes alot of the marking & now have a roller foot that fits on them & helps to feed the leather through.

Lighter foot pressure will help too.

Bob Kovar

[The Major]

Thanks Bob,

The duct tape worked though.

I wonder though, I was playing around with it last night, and I was taking some measurements, With the dog set at its lowest, the teeth still sit about 1/8" at it's "grab point. To me this seems excessive. My thought is to take off some of the material of the dog, where it sits by the adjustment screw. This will let it sit lower in the slot and therefore it wont protrude so much.

Thanks for letting me talk my way through this. I'll figure it out.

Take care.

[CowboyBob]

Lowering the feed dog won't help,you'll just get to the point where it'll stop feeding & then you might have to pull the leather through,

remeber the teeth are there for a reason,to grip & pull the leather.

This is what we always warn people about when they call about these,the price is good but it's real hard to get away from marking underneath esp on soft leather.

Bob

[jimsaddler]

Lowering the feed dog won't help,you'll just get to the point where it'll stop feeding & then you might have to pull the leather through,

remember the teeth are there for a reason,to grip & pull the leather.

This is what we always warn people about when they call about these,the price is good but it's real hard to get away from marking underneath esp on soft leather.

Bob

Can I offer a bit of advice here please.

The 105, 45K25 type Machines with their bottom Feed Dog, have been the life blood of the Leather Industry for arround 100 years. So many Masterpieces have been created with them.

The Roller Foot Bob mentions is a norm for them to ease the materials through and I highly recommend them. That aside, I can't understand why there are not more LW members using them now as they are so reasonable in price and can do such a range of Stitching.

All you need to do is learn to use them to best effect.

Rule no1 use your hands to help the Leather through and you will not get Cuts underneath. One hand at the Back and one hand feeding from the front. You will develop a tension automatically over time and Sewing will become a JOY with them. I still use a 105 for my Best work as the ease it turns makes for very neat Sewing. The Needle always goes where you want it.

Marks on the back are easily burnished off with a Deer Horn or Lignum Rubber. Buff any sharp spots off the Teeth of the Feed Dog and go for it. DON'T WIND BOBBINS WITH THE FOOT DOWN!! as this will score the foot and create sharp edges on the Feed Dog! Which is the most common cause of Cuts and the Back.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.