Absolute Beginner Singer29K Question.

[tadgh]

As an absolute beginner, and about to embark on a foray into leather work, I,d like to ask the following question.

I have recently got a Singer 29k, and it appears to be stitching well. I have replaced all the tension discs and spings ect, but I am at a complete loss to know exactly what thread I need for shoemaking for this machine.

The current spool in the machine, appears to gather up the stem of the needle after sewing about 4 inches, and then snaps the top thread. The stitches are even and tight, so it appears that the tension is in the ballpark, as far as I can tell.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and welcome. After a lifelong career as a cabinetmaker, www.irishwoodwork.com

I would like to try my hand at this new and exciting craft. Thanks

[cdthayer]

If you're wanting to "make shoes", you may have bought the wrong machine. The Singer 29K is primarily a "shoe repair" machine.

What is the rest of your machine's model number? 29K what?

CD in Oklahoma

Edited October 23, 2013 by cdthayer

[tadgh]

Just to say, I didn't actually go out of my way to buy this machine, it was part of an army barracks clearout. As far as i know, its a Singer 29k71. And any new parts were ordered from that model number, and fitted accordingly.

I am planning to do a shoemaking course through a good friend in the UK who has a family tradition of shoemaking. Initially the course will be totaly hand sewn shoes, so that I fully understand the methods involved. I cant say that the patcher is only intended for shoemaking, as I am also a bike owner, and archery enthusiast, so can envisage lots of projects that I,d be interested in.

I also have 2 pederson 3 in 1's, and a Junker and Ruh SD 28 that came my way by of the scrap dealer. So I,d like an opportunity to use these as well.

Thanks for your reply and advice.

[silverback]

Tr tTry going up a needle size or coming down in threadsize.Sounds like your thread may be getting stripped in the eye of the needle if the leather is a bit on the firm side.

[tadgh]

I think I,ve discovered the initial problem. Apparently the thread in the machine at the moment is a polyester bag stitching cord. Its very fibrous and hairy like string. And it is these fibres that are collecting at the eye of the needle, gathering up and eventually causing the thread to break.

I,ve changed it to a standard polyester machine thread, that according to the shop owner, is suitable for sewing leather. It seems to have cured the problem at the moment. But Is there a particular type of thread that is used for the shoe repairs on these patchers. I,m still trying to find a dedicated supplier for shoemaking/repairing thread online, but I have not pinned one down yet. So any advice on a supplier would be welcome.

Thanks for the replies and advice so far.

[cdthayer]

I don't do much shoe repairing with my 29K70 machines, but when I do, I use the same thread that I use for everything else that I sew with my patchers. I use Tex90 UV-Resistant thread (mostly B-92 Bonded Polyester) for everything. It seems to flow well in my machines, except for the Army Drab Green spool that I have. It tends to slough the outer layer off and bunch up in the needle on longer runs, but I think it's the thread that is the problem. If I just have to use that color on anything but a short little run, I usually have problems.

There is a fairly good selection of thread colors in the UVR92 threads now, and most of them work just fine. Still, I miss the days when I was starting out doing mostly embroidered patches on leather vests, and used to offer the customer any matching color thread that they wanted, as long as it was either black or white....

CD in Oklahoma

[tadgh]

Thanks for the threads headsup. Exactly the info I,m looking for, and now at least I have a direction to follow

Great site btw.