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Hi everyone. I'm trying to repair dented toe boxes in typical western style pull on boots. When new, the toe box is molded and stiffer than the rest of the upper. They have both been slightly crushed by outdoor work (tree work) and I'm looking for tools and tips for getting them back in shape. In my mind, I see a curved tool that I can get down in the toe and manipulate the toe back up in place while heating the leather. My hand doesn't fit. Does that make any sense? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you, D

When I bought my JL341 I had a direct contact with the factory or that's what I assumed. Every time I wanted something confirmed they would send me a video, for example same hole stitching in reverse. mine also came with a speed reducer under the table I hated the pedal lift so changed it to a knee lift. Can post pics if you want although I think I covered it all a while ago.

VERY NICE one and all !!!!!!!! I love the contrasting thread look .

Nice Work!

To further what @Constabulary said here is a line from ISAC.net about the Singer 17-2 ( https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer-class-17-sewing-machines.html ) " Machine No. 17-2 has drop-feed across arm at right of needle and is used for closing the seams of Shot or other bags after they are filled, sewing buckram on Jean Pants, Pocketbook manufacture, etc. " Personally I think you should be looking for machines similar to at least a Juki LS-341 or clone depending on the thread size / toughness of the leather (chrome tan or veg tan). With old machines when you get into the 75 year bracket whether they are brand name or clone finding replacement parts can be expensive or sometimes impossible to find. If you can't find parts you wind up with a pretty boat anchor. When setup properly it is a game changer as you get the presser foot, the needle and the feed dog moving your item along particularity on thick items or multi layers. kgg

If I saw someone wearing that out and about I’d be thinking Arthur Morgan and want to yell Lenny, so I think you nailed it.

A few recent projects.

Thank you! What about the compound feed? Is it a game changer or just nice to have. I like simple machines, I repair and tweak them myself, I'm not a mechanic though. But, if it does allow me to stitch thick uppers more confidently, without glueing I'd go for that and figure them out.

Not much to add but talked with a guy who knew a little more. He thinks that he learned from Chuck Stormes. He worked a stretch at Hamley's and then was off on his own.

Yeah, I´m shy with saying so 😁

Hello all! Please help me find an operator's manual/ instructions for this machine. Thanks in advance.

Here is what a friend said when I asked him about DD Potter Saddles. "Good saddles mostly. I don’t think they were going for a long time. Out of Pendleton Oregon or right near there. Lots of great saddle makers up there in that area. I have seen a couple pairs of their taps and they are awesome but pretty heavy. Do you have one? I would guess value to be depending on shape. Not a well known name and Wades seem to be coming down so I imagine $3500. If it was a Severe saddle from that area it would be $6000. They might have used Rich Bean trees which would be a huge point of quality!"

Looking back with a Google search I found where I had covered most of this before which this link will show - https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/74966-skiving-foot-roller-adaptation/ A google search shows many places where you can buy the foot if if search for Skiver machine feet. This is one of the links - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007201599493.html?UTABTest=aliabtest116529_13360&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=742-864-1166&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en1005007201599493&ds_e_product_merchant_id=737156300&ds_e_product_country=AU&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=21819463808&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21819486122&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmK_CBhCEARIsAMKwcD7-i82gtRujZKf-0mTTOoPLs1oluw2sHNuCF5m-3G7DXzDKElWbywoaAj1oEALw_wcB&aff_fcid=b0641e9eba1743978ba53a9cf2920541-1749867580452-01047-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=b0641e9eba1743978ba53a9cf2920541-1749867580452-01047-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=08d6618945bb478d98d0dbef180895e0&OLP=1108200108_f_group4&o_s_id=1108200108&afSmartRedirect=n

Yes, I asked the seller if they have a regular website with more info, and they said no. But when I asked questions about how this or that doo-dadd works, they'd send a video demonstrating it. I ended up asking in the alibaba chat with Ben Juan, asking questions about the different kinds of machines they offer. He asked to see photos of what kind of bags I was making (I showed pictures of heavy cloth purses I had stitched) , and he said either their 261 or their 341 would be good for those. It definitely took some work asking questions, and I'm in central time so I'd ask questions in the evening when they're arriving at work. Movie...yeah it felt a little bit overkill hehe

I would never have guessed!

Thanks. The seller site is a little thin on info. I'd have believed you without the movie ... On a related note, @Johanna, this is a 7 meg upload. We've seen a couple of large uploads lately. Has the file size limit been raised?

Yes the feed dog goes up and down. IMG_0874.MOV

Patcher machines are designed as repair machines and not for producing goods. Keep in mind hat the 29-4 is a century old machine (or older) and they have tiny bobbins that do not hold much thread and the older the 29 / 29K is (the lower the subclass number the older the machine - basically) the more wear they have and wear parts are hard to find for the early 29 / 29K. This may help you to figure more about the 29-4: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=29-4+site%3Aleatherworker.net

Hey, to each of you, thanks for the considerate and thoughtful replies including extra resources I'm genuinely checking out. I have a nice little Jim Linnell library and most of the stamps I should need, having gotten some years ago and then now... a variety of brands (you know how a lot of cheap ones are fine but some either need to be either premium ones, or modified). When I was learning before, I don't remember how I stitched on the straps to this poorly-beveled archery arm guard I made years ago (Pics attached, LOL) Pretty beginner-looking but it works great, still! I made the conical pattern by holding thin cardboard up to my arm. The Hobby Lobby ReaLeather veg tan has held up pretty well with conditioners. Over Time: I am and will be practicing small carving patterns for skills to eventually design and make unique FL/tropical-influenced pseudo-western patches to sew onto trucker hats, hand tooled instead of the laser ones popular now. You'd think some of the folks dropping a mint on tack and belts and boots still don a cap instead of a cowboy hat sometimes, and might drop a few extra bucks on a hand-tooled patch. Even buckstitch around it maybe sometimes. And I'll be doing collars for my dogs which would be great collar or belt practice. I also aspire to eventually make sheaths or cases for Native American-style flutes. I'll check out every link sent, thanks! The Linnell videos will continue to have me practicing a lot doing the walk-thru pieces repeatedly and finding hatchets and things to strap the practice pieces on (maybe starting with the next one... I ain't showing my recent piece, lol... it's that beginner Stohlman flower he and Jim start you with except I sized it down considerably, to fit on a tall trucker hat, lol.... so it made it harder and I ain't showing it, lol. The decision was made for me to move to this craft I admire, from wood and Native American-style flutes I spent years on and developed a trusted name (Otter Lake / Jeff Burris)when I moved to a wonderful forest cabin (but tiny with no garage) and wasn't able to afford the expected add-on shop to my new place. I could no longer set up my machines and continue flutes , and so my lathes and gun drills etc. will all be pickled in a 10x10' shed or maybe sold. So I'm starting over one last time at 54 and re-entering carving leather with the same dedication and zeal, to glorify God and make things pleasing to hold and look at, that I had for the studio-ready wooden instruments that, once sold on occasion to instructors and recording artists, are now permanently out of stock, while I've set up to practice leather daily and give it my all for years to come (if the creek don't rise). Thanks -- you all are like the flute crowd in that there is a bunch of stand-up, friendly help.

Maybe a dumb question, but does the feed dog(s) go up and down? Because "binding machines" we've seen here have feed dogs that go back and forth, but flat. Both the videos for that machine show it binding. Amazing you did this during the giant tariff kerfuffle and seem to have been unscathed. I wonder what all the fuss was about ... I've been reluctant to order anything very expensive from overseas even before the big kerfuffle, not wanting to get hit with some kind of import duty surprise.

Cool. Here's the link to the machine I bought if anybody's interested. I kept asking for whatever add-ons they had, that's how I found out about the accessories they offered.

Good call to stay away from the Heavy Duty. I'll let others chime in on the 29. Maybe you could mention what size thread you'd use and the max thickness you might want to sew. That'll have an impact.

The Textima 17 is a clone of the Singer 17, made in east Germany after the War at around the early 1950s. Not really a heavy duty machine and the bobbin size is quite small. Pfaff 335, Adler 69 come to my mind. Adler 5, 105 or Singer 45K are way heavier but are drop feed machines, some may have a jump foot. CLAES 233 may be something to look for they were quite common in the former East Block and are excellent machines.

Basically you saved about $1200 USD or more for a similar machine being sold in the US. kgg

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a vintage cylinder arm machine for rather heavy leather. I stitch boot uppers and belts up to ~10mm, usually more like 4-7mm (double 4-8oz) Something like singer 153w 1) What are the other models to look for? The market is somewhat limited... 2) I have some experience with patchers and post beds (bottom feed), but never had a cylinder with compound feed. Is it worth it? Or at that weight better to have something mechanically simple and easy to maintain. Textima 17-2 on the pic. Super hot and available to buy nearby, bottom feed dog only Thank you and happy sewing!