Trox

Hi, and what direction is that? As far as I can tell the Singer 153W-103 is a compound triple feed with a four motion bottom feed (feed dog), add a table and its a flatbed too. I do not know what thread sizes it takes. However, its all here in its user manual http://parts.singerco.com/IPinstManuals/153W101_W102_W103_154W101.pdf Tor

Hi, (I will repeat the above posts, so you understand the importance of it.) Do not let the foot stay down on the feed dog without material under it (second video), you wear out your feed dog. Your machine looks fine to me, we are talking about some minor operating errors here. Every time you start sewing hold down the thread for about 5 stitches, and when you are locking the stitches by sewing over them also. This is very important. If you keep on sewing like that the thread will bunch up in the shuttle house and you will knock the machine off timing. You start the seam by sewing two stitches in reverse and lock the stitches by sewing over them (or turn the work piece around). At the end of the seam you do the same thing but maybe more than two stitches. (or finishing your seam by hand, search the forum for technique). Remember to hold down the thread (both threads) when starting and finishing the seam. Good luck. Tor

Wiz is right, you must hold your thread tight with your left hand when you start sewing or you get a backlash.

Hello Avimeso, sorry for late replay. I see you have fitted the harness foot, and now your machine will not sew. I do not think thats related to the foot in anyway. However, we must find its last working configuration. Did your machine sew before you changed thread and foot? You are telling it has been to service in a Dürkopp Adler workshop, I assume it worked as it should when you got it back? I also assumes this is a new machine to you? If I am right about this it could be a minor fault. This is a straight forward and simple machine, not much that could go wrong. Anyway, put the roller foot back and check your threading. This machine threads just like any other Adler 205 or 204 machines, you can download a manual on a similar class like the 205-370 and check that you have threaded your machine right http://www.duerkopp-adler.com/en/main/Support/downloads/index.html?action=search&prop0=%2Fcommons%2Fdownload%2Fpublic%2F205-370%2F&prop1= Or check the youtube video of the Cobra 4 or Cowboy 441 clone machines that threads the same way .Make sure you use a new right size needle and if its pushed all the way up in the needle bar. And if its turned the right way (needle scarf to the right). The thread has to be left twisted, for the size tkt 12 you can use from 180 to 200 Nm needle size. I use mostly polyester threads, but I see no reason yours should not work as long as its left twisted. If all above is Ok and it still will not sew you must check the hook needle timing. But first check all the above and post back to me. Good luck Tor

Use a fine ceramic grind stone after the file and do not make the hook tip any shorter. The fine ceramic stone will give it a fine polished surface. To coarse and it might fry the thread. Tor

You cannot use Oil. No wonder it will not sew if you use white sewing machine oil, the thread will stick to the metal and be unable to form a loop; the result is skipping stitches. You must use thread lube like PCOX told you above, thats not oil. On polyester and bonded nylon you can use silicone thread lube too cool the needle. These old machine was built when most used linen thread and it is the best thing you can feed them. Does it use the 328 needle system or a similar Singer system, I believe they use a shorter needle than the 441 machines do (794); they do not create that much heat. Thread lube might not be necessary with polyester, you can also use prelubed thread. You must also remember that sewing machine thread is fresh ware, you cannot take any old thread and expect it to work well. It dries out and becomes full of dust particles when it is stored unprotected. You can spray old thread cones with Fibings liquid glycerin saddle soap, it will restore some of its moister. Good luck Tor

Treadle or hand crank might be a option on all sewing machines. I do not think you will not find any triple-feed cylinder-beds with hand crank as standard. You might find one with a treadle, but they had electrical motors when the first triple feed machines came on the marked. Do you look for a old machine machine because you want a treadle/hand crank or because of your budget? Tor

Thanks, to bad. The Adler's I have will not burn before 3600 degree Celsius. I hope you find something else. Tor

The shuttle you can use are made by Japanese Hirose, Italian Cereliani and in by the Chinese. As Darren said you can use the DD1 closed type or the open type DD1 OP2 (same type as you have). https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/Singer45KSewingMachineParts I do not know if its necessary to change yours, its hard to tell by the picture. One thing, what kind of oil are you using in your lube pot? Regular oil will make your thread stick to the metal and it will not make thread loops. I hope you have tried it without oil?, its maybe a stupid question. Nevertheless, I have tried regular leather oil and it did not work, my machine skipped stitches all the time because the thread sticked to the metal. Tor

Among the old gray Pfaff machines the 345 cyl. bed with vertical hook is the nearest machine to the 1245. The old 335 have a small arm with horizontal hook and will not take heavy thread. The new 335 however, comes in a "heavy" subclass. The Pfaff 345 has a thicker arm but they do not make it anymore. Its hard to replace a 1245, you can look for a *DA 269-373 (* Dürkopp Adler). They have a big arm vertical hook and are in the same duty ranking as the 1245. Newer *DA machines who ends on 69 (triple feed cyl bed) will of course do the job, also the older 169 will do. The *DA 69 is to light, small arm , small bobbin like the old Pfaff 335. You could also look in too newer Chinese clone machines of these classes like Wiz suggests. However, the 1245 sets a high standard and will be expensive to match. Good luck Tor

My Adler 5-27 (the forerunner of the class 105) sews 15 mm of material with a 328 needle system. It has bottom feed and a spring loaded jump-foot like the Adler 105-8. I used this machine for many years, it was never a problem with it and it have a beautiful stitch. My rebuilt 105-25 MO (who now is a regular 105-25) has a foot lift of 19 mm (with a smooth feeding foot) and will sew about the same (as the cl.5-27) with out problem. The Kochs Adler company did not brag about numbers on what a machine managed once (like I do, and several with me do). They was always on the safe side and built machine that could do more than needed. I do not want to stand idle and look at a fine piece of machinery die, most of the Europeans who have these machine will not part with them. Ask my US/ Belgium friend the "leatherguru", he has a impressive machine park but still love his Adler 105. The reason there are many MO types of machines out there for sale, is because they was used in shoe factories and they are now outdated. Or nobody produce shoes in the western world anymore. The only thing you will be able to break on these machines are the shuttle, you can get them aftermarket. Seriously, I would pay more for a Adler 105 than a Chinese bottom feed. This machine climbs good too, its a double feed. When mine is ready I will upload a video of it sewing, thats worth more than thousand words. (its not going to happen to morrow, this is a between other duties project) Thanks Tor

All of the heavy stitcher are very similar, the TSC 441 plate and dog fit the 105-25. However, they cannot be used because of the 105-25 do not have needle feed. The plate and feed dog from the Juki TSH 411 (bottom feed) might be a match. The Japanese did exactly the same as the Chinese do now when they started to make sewing machines; copied European and US machines. I tried my 441 plate (and feed dog) on the 105 and the needle hit exactly in the needle hole of the 441 feed dog. On the picture you see a couple of my Adler 5 plates (the forerunner of the 105), this is the same plate as the 105-25 plate (100% fit with the same part number too, they only added a couple of zeros in the front). So I guess there will be Singer 45 K plates who fits too. I am not sure of the Adler 205-25 plate will fit, I have never tried. Sieck.de in Germany might have a plate and feed dog for it, be prepared to pay for it. The plates on the picture is part of a saddler's attachment pack for my Adler cl. 5-27. I do not know if I sell it or not, but the plates will follow the machine either way. Tor

Hi, as Bob told you before this is a 105-25 Mo version and it has top feed only in its current state. You can change needle plate and add a feed dog and you will have a 105-25. The 105-25 has bottom feed and top feed, but the feeds are not combined. Its made for ruffing work, when you need a different stitch length on top and bottom. The top feed is adjusted on the top back side of the machine and the bottom feed on the stitch regulator, you have to fine tune these two to have the same feeding length top and bottom. As for the reverse, you must take of the stitch regulator locking plate (remove two screws on the plate with thumb screw on, behind the stitch regulator handle). You can change this for a 105-25 or 105-64 locking plate ( I think the -64 is the only one they sell parts for anymore) or use a hack saw and alter it (aluminum). When the plate is off (or altered) you can move the stitch regulator in reverse and the bottom feeds reverse works. To use this machine with reverse you must set the top feed in off position, the reverse do not work when the top feed is engaged. It can be a challenge to get hold of a needle plate and feed dog for it, I do not think Dürkopp Adler (DA) sells part for it anymore. However, you can ask Thomas Brinkhoff (head of DA spare parts) in his blog " the world of Dürkopp Adler spare part business" http://sew24.blogspot.no/ he knows. You can also download old leaflet and manuals for the class 105 on this site. Used, the subclass 105-64 is priced higher than the -25 (the -64 has bottom and needle feed). I have both sub classes and personally I think the -25 is a better leather machine, because it climbs much better. The -64 is only good on flat stuff. There was a video of the 105-25 on you tube but I cannot find it anymore. If you get hold of a needle plate and feed dog for it it will be a pretty good machine. Good luck. Tor

Nice job, Is it a speed reducer inside that belt cover? If you need something smaller, some of these might fit or could be altered to fit. http://www.kwokhing.com/accessory/ I belive they are made of plastic , just cut and glue/weld. I do not think they are expensive Looking good that stand. Tor

Hello Darren, yes I am sure of it. Tor

You are welcome, I think Utrecht is the nicest city in Holland. Both Amsterdam and Rotterdam are to big and have to much crime. Nice binding job there. Tor

Peter, the service manual for the 205-370 and for the 205-64 is on DA`site http://www.duerkopp-adler.com/export/sites/duerkoppadler/commons/download/public/205/s_204_gb.pdf http://www.duerkopp-adler.com/export/sites/duerkoppadler/commons/download/public/205-370/s_204_370.pdf Maybe you knew that? and here http://sew24.blogspot.no/p/downloads.html Nice handle attachment for the 370 by the way http://sew24.blogspot.no/2012/09/hochwertige-taschengriffe-aus-leder.html

My 345 has a binding feed, the bottom transporter (feed dog) goes back and forth only. (to power the synchronized binder) When I use the machine for other stuff I changes the feed dog and needle plate. Then I lower the feed dog a bit under the plate or else it disturb the feed. Then you have top and needle feed left, bottom feed is not much used on leather anyway. When you use smooth feed dog and feet`s the needle does most of the feeding anyway. The machine perform good on regular leather work. Tor

Yes Peter, it makes sence now and it was my first guess too. I did not recognize the kind of front it has. Nice machine, it may come in handy sometimes. You never know what the future jobs brings. No I am not thinking about your Adler, I will find one here eventually. I have seen many nice 69- 373 with the narrow cylinder. Those are handy but would not replace the 345 (cannot take heavy threads), and no room to keep both machines. I will wait to I find a nice 169 or newer, then I would look in to it. I am talking about exporting many machines at once. Transport costs are very low these days, I would wait until I had a 20 foot container full before shipping by sea. Motors are different we use 220/50 cyl (and maybe moving up to 380/400 in the future for normal household, our three phase is 400v). I do not see motors as a problem, clutch motors would be changed for servos anyway. If a machine should happen to have a modern Efka DC I would buy on a converter. Otherwise, both tables and motors are cheap in your country. They do not sell those cheap Chinese servo`s here, I bought the one I have from Cobra. Up until now the Chinese have been behind on motor technology, my guess is that they are working hard to catch up with Japan and Germany. I have seen several new model who looks promising, they look like clones of Efka and Ho Sing. And they may well be, there systems are old enough to be legal to copy and they are put together in China anyway. http://www.cccme.org.cn/shop/cccme3825/offerinfo-1033966.aspx http://www.cccme.org.cn/shop/cccme3825/offerinfo-1033976.aspx No way to tell before trying one. Soon there will be usable cheap motors available, no point in shipping those old heavy outdated motors anyway. The converter cost more than a Chinese servo does. I am just thinking out load, its a pity to waist all those nice old machines if someone need them other places. We will see what the future brings, if only the world will get out of this stupid economical crisis people will start buying stuff again. Cheers Tor

Hi Peter, Thanks for the explanation of the routering, I would love to see a pic of that fly- cutter machine. I did not see these machine pictures before after I posted the last post. That 169 looks very nice, I would have sold my grand mother to get my hands of it (if I had one, I don't). It have a stop motor too, I know we would work out a trade if we was not that far apart. I hope we do not totally take over this topic, I know we do. But please tell us to leave and we will. Many nice other machines there too. The Omac machine; first I thought of a belt folding machine, but it have no attachment on the front. I guess it is a hot roller press machine. I can see the press lever on the left and the red light who lights up when it is warm enough, just a guess. I know the brand, its Italian and commonly found here in Europe too. That Adler 169 looks very clean, I got to figure out some reasonable shipping options between here and the States. Her I cannot get much for second hand machines, but in your country I can. Most of my tools and parts I have to buy in USA. I already have a US shipping address, its a New Jersey mailbox run by a Norwegian company. I use it when I buy tools from you, where the sellers do not offer international shipping. I have to pay a bit more this way, but at least I get what I want. I have to check how to ship reasonable the other direction, I will work on it. I am sure there are some methods that can be used without loosing all the profit. OK we talk later have a nice day Tor

That looks good, nice price too. I know where it is too, I have been a truck driver driving a steady route Holland -Norway for several years (many years ago). Nice to drive in your country. Nice and flat, only had to change gear twice from German border to Amsterdam (with a 40 tons load). I still remember all the street and route names down there, much better than I know them in my own city , Oslo (Norway). Very nice people, good food. I love Holland and I have many friends around Utrecht and Alphen aan den rijn. I have not been down there on almost 20 years now, I guess much is changed. Maybe not, the Dutch are good in keeping their culture, houses and tradition. Tot Ziens

Hi Asley, As I wrote before the DA information says they stopped to produce it in 1961. Then I do not know how many years they need to have a spare part program, I guess max 30 years. The only way to find out is to ask Thomas Brinkhoff or Dürkopp Adler, I would ask Thomas on his blog because he knows for sure. It would me smart to use a postbed with a table attachment, but I would look for a triple feed. Or a triple roller feed that is very common among post beds. I have one Pfaff for sale, its only a single needle (and in Norway). It has top and bottom roller feed and needle feed, Efka variostop motor. Maybe a regular triple feed would perform better over large padded seams. Yes its important that you can get parts for a machine, if not the value goes down on it. Check with http://sew24.blogspot.no/p/downloads.html Good luck Tor

The part about " the parts are not expensive" is true if you buy them from other than Pfaff. Binder parts to the Pfaff 345 ( who are very similar, only have a thicker arm and vertical hook) costs 1953,- $ bought at Pfaff. Thats what I call expensive, I do not know what you think. Pfaff parts that is in production on new machines may be cheaper because they are probably made in China. Kwokhing is a good source as mention above. I think a sewing machine mechanic who used 15 minutes to change the binder parts on a pfaff 335 would get sacked, I would make it in three. I am not trying to be a smart ass here, but its is really not that much work . Its not ideal but you can use it for other things with the binding plate and feets on, just take of the binder. Wiz are correct, you buy them as individual parts as well as kits. Tor

I do not know this particular class of machine, but Dürkopp (later Dürkopp Adler "DA" in 1990) makes the world greatest sewing machines in my opinion. I can tell by the picture this is a double needle,bottom and needle feed post bed with a position motor. It looks to be in good condition, black color would take it back to before 1960. I am guessing about 1950 to 1960, only guessing. However, it was discontinued in 1961. It is German quality on material that you will not find on any machine today. It wold be good on making leather pillows in softer upholstery leather and fabric. Not good on different levels, this type of feed do not climb well. This subclass (-1) is listed in "DA" export lists as a post bed for general work, it means its not intended for a particular job as many machines was in that time. I do not know what you want to use it for, it do not have triple feed, nor will it sew very thick materials either. I guess TKT 20 (polyester) would be the definite maximum in thread size, it uses needle system 797. Post beds do not general take very thick threads, so maybe TKT 40 would be its max, I do not know. I do not think there are any parts available for it anymore, other than aftermarket hooks and such. The only way to find out for sure is to ask DA. You can also contact Thomas Brinkhoff Head of DA spare parts on his blog; http://sew24.blogspot.no/p/downloads.html "The world of Dürkopp Adler parts". He would know for sure. If it is any down loads ready for it you will also find it there. Good luck. Tor

Hi Peter, Thats the only thing who is left of the industry here too, awning, furniture and auto upholsteries. I am a trained car mechanic and have worked with that before, so auto upholstery should be right in the spot for me. However, I find no pleasure in it, I kind of got an overdose of cars in my younger days. You could always find me under a car, thats where my friends first looked after me when they come to visit. Now its all computers, components changing and plastic.... I wish I lived hundred years ago when steel was steel and wood was wood, and not made of plastic. Speak about plastic, today I went down to the plastic company and checked out the stuff my self. I turned out they did not make the stuff here anymore, they could do it but it would be to expensive. It looks like the boards sold in the USA has Rockwell scale of hardness, here they used something else (like always). However, the stuff was very hard and I bought one for the machine and thinner one for my work bench. He told me the color had nothing to do with the harness. They used to sell them to butcher stores, the red was for meat, the white for fish and so on. I bought the HD 500, it came in one grade harder too; the HD 1000. They did not have the HD 1000 in stock, I will try this out first and upgrade later if necessary. How do you keep them planed flat, do you plan them with a machine? Want it just stick to the blade? Yes the Italians makes most of the leather machines now a days. I have a Italian skiving machine that is very nicely made. The European leather machine dealers go to Italy all the time to buy machines, they make good deals down there right now (its hard times in southern Europe right now). This dealer sells used German and Italian machines and the prices are high. http://www.sieck.de/en/sieck-international/ We and the Germans are about the two only European countries who is not affected by the economical crisis. I hope for better time soon or else the center of Europe Will be named Oslo, they mass immigrates here to work. Also the ones who do not intend to work comes here to live on us as beggars. They now try to forbid begging in Oslo, the politicians will not have their conscience tested every day when they walk to work. The way I see it , you cannot forbid someone to beg, it easier to stop them on the border and demand they have enough money to support them self while they are here. Thats the way they do it everywhere else, but here they are to stupid to figure it out. We talk later, Tor