Singer 29K-51

[Clark Howard]

Hello All- I am brand new to this forum. A few years ago, I purchased a large bag of leather scraps at a yard sale. Later I found a leather sewing awl. Since then, I have been repairing horse tack, making western holsters and knife sheaths by hand. I recently bought a Singer 29K-51 machine that needs some work to again function. I am unclear on the differences between the 29-4, and the 29K variants. Will the parts and service manuals for the 29-4 give me good numbers and service info for my 29K? Will my machine sew three layers of 8 oz leather? What size needle and thread? What type thread? I know that my questions are elementary, but that is where I am right now. Also, my bag of leather scraps is about gone. What type of leather should I be using, and where should I get it without paying for the steaks and hamburger too? Thanks for your patience and willingness to help a rookie. Regards, Clark

[Billsotx]

I don't know about your Singer. I happily use a Boss.

Leather - you get what you pay for. I use Wickett & Craig or Herman Oak if it's cowhide.

As far as skins and horse I always got them from Siegels CA - http://www.siegelofca.com/

[Lwleather]

Hello All- I am brand new to this forum. A few years ago, I purchased a large bag of leather scraps at a yard sale. Later I found a leather sewing awl. Since then, I have been repairing horse tack, making western holsters and knife sheaths by hand. I recently bought a Singer 29K-51 machine that needs some work to again function. I am unclear on the differences between the 29-4, and the 29K variants. Will the parts and service manuals for the 29-4 give me good numbers and service info for my 29K? Will my machine sew three layers of 8 oz leather? What size needle and thread? What type thread? I know that my questions are elementary, but that is where I am right now. Also, my bag of leather scraps is about gone. What type of leather should I be using, and where should I get it without paying for the steaks and hamburger too? Thanks for your patience and willingness to help a rookie. Regards, Clark

As for your machine I would recommend getting ahold of Singer directly. I had a 45k and they were very helpful getting the right manual for it. They also still have a few of the parts available for the old machines.

I know my old singer liked the nylon thread with the right hand twist. Anything other than that gave me fits. If you look on Weaver's website (here's the link) this guide will tell you what thread size works with which needles.

http://www.leathersupply.com/downloads/catalog/SewingMachines&Such.pdf

I mainly make chaps, headstalls and tack. My main thread is a 207 if that helps any.

I buy alot of my harness and skirting leather from Wickett and Craig (good stuff). They have an "overstocked" list, and some of those leathers are at a real good price. A lot of my chap leather and latigo comes from the Hide House in CA. They have a lot of "odd lot" leathers that you can get real reasonable.

Hopefully this helps.

[Clark Howard]

As for your machine I would recommend getting ahold of Singer directly. I had a 45k and they were very helpful getting the right manual for it. They also still have a few of the parts available for the old machines.

I know my old singer liked the nylon thread with the right hand twist. Anything other than that gave me fits. If you look on Weaver's website (here's the link) this guide will tell you what thread size works with which needles.

http://www.leathersu...chines&Such.pdf

I mainly make chaps, headstalls and tack. My main thread is a 207 if that helps any.

I buy alot of my harness and skirting leather from Wickett and Craig (good stuff). They have an "overstocked" list, and some of those leathers are at a real good price. A lot of my chap leather and latigo comes from the Hide House in CA. They have a lot of "odd lot" leathers that you can get real reasonable.

Hopefully this helps.

Thanks for the quick replies, fellows. I am now pointed in the right direction. Regards, Clark