dwhacks

Forgot to add, I will mostly be sewing Cordura and canvas type materials, with possibly some light leather work. This just seemed like the best forum to talk about sewing thick materials slowly.

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have been looking for a walking foot machine for about 4 years. I live in a small town so its rare that they come up reasonably priced and close enough. One came up at a local live auction, so I did a bunch of research and decided to make the drive and bid on it! Well, I spent more then I wanted in the excitement of the bidding war, but I got it. Seems well used, but mostly taken care of (except the grease on the gears, dry or sticky icky). First bummer I realized was it is a "binding" version, with no vertical cam plate. And the next one, is someone has set it up to use 190 system needles. Or was it somehow modified to be an H4 with higher lift? I don't know how to tell. A few questions: is it possible to retrofit the vertical cam plate and associated parts? is this complicated or even worth while? if so, any idea what parts are needed? how would someone fit a 190 needle? Should I leave it or go back to stock? (it seems to sew fine) Whats the use of a 48537 throat plate vs a 26746A/B? is there a description of throat plates and different foot options? (it came with a bunch)