Wizcrafts

If the needle and thread in it stitches perfectly on cloth, but not on your chrome tanned leather, it could be related to the pressor foot tension, being too light. Leather is tougher than most fabrics and tends to pull up as the needle rises from the hole. If this happens you will have skipped stitches. Increase the pressor foot tension and try again.

What I do for a living is a combination of arts and crafts. My primary income, believe it or not, comes from playing Country-Western, Southern Rock and Classic Rock Music, in two bands, in Flint, Michigan (+ some studio gigs). My instrument is the pedal steel guitar, which I play aggressively and precisely. I have been a professional musician since late 1974. I have toured the US and Canada, have been on live and recorded TV shows and on numerous recording sessions. See www.wiztunes.com for details. My secondary income is from computer troubleshooting, webmaster services and online security and threat consulting for websites and individuals. My current specialty lies in protecting websites and forums hosted on Apache Web Servers from hackers, spammers and scammers. To do this I write, publish and update several IP blocklists to deny access to unwanted traffic. See my Wizcrafts Computer Services webmaster page for details I made a fair amount of cash last summer and fall, doing contract sewing of guitar straps and rifle slings, for a nearby leather shop; M&M Leathercraft, with whom I have been associated since the late-1980's. I am hoping to make money again in custom leather work and contract sewing, which used to be one of my major businesses, about 15 years ago. I plan to get back into making custom gun leather and heavy belts, straps and harnesses, now that I have a Union Lockstitch machine - for the second time in my life.

I am having difficulty finding #1 1/2 needles and #4.5 or #5 awls for my Union Lockstitch machine. I still need replacement pressor feet, any type (including a standard foot), and raised throat plates for shaped holsters and cases.

I would like to get a second hand 1 1/2" diameter, half-round, hand held belt end punch. Contact me if you have one to let go of, in good cutting condition.

I have been able to find some new parts, but no old stock, or used parts. Someone must have extra parts for a Union Lockstitch machine that they can spare. I would like to buy the following items: #1, #1.5 and #3.5 needles #4 and #4.5 or #5 awls Any pressor feet for the ULS, including standard and the adjustable stepper feet and brackets Raised throat plates for holsters and stirrups, with and without slot for edge guide Short-ended throat plate to sew cases close to the post, upside down. Fixed face edge guide and hardware Bobbins T-wrenches, any size Thread guides Loopers Main take-up spring Main pressure spring and post for top of machine Take-up mechanism parts Pressor foot lift parts Various 4-sided drive screws Bobbin winder assembly Bobbin cover plate Bobbin compartment cover Misc gears 5 and 6 cord, left twist, glazed linen thread Super Cyroxiline (spelling?) clear stitching wax #346 and larger bonded polyester thread, in black, white, brown and natural.

That is my dream machine. If only I had the money! Maybe someday...

Bob; I'll take a pack of each size. Now, does anybody have awls 1/2 or 1 size larger than these needles? (Sizes 3, 4, 5)

I definetly need replacement pressor feet for my Union Lockstitch machine, including the basic foot that is supposed to ship with the machine. Also, raised throat plates to sew holsters and cases and other plates and guides. Some of the screws need replacing, some nuts are missing, and I can use most sizes of needles and awls. Any replies will be appreciated.

A Singer 29-4 is an old cobblers' machine designed to repair shoes, boots, handbags and jacket zippers. It will sew approximately 1/4" thickness, using 29x3 or 29x4 series needles. Thread capacity is up to size T90 cotton, nylon or polycore. The bobbin is tiny in these machines, which date back to the early 1900's. Patchers do not have feed dogs at all. They move the work via the pressor foot, which has sharp teeth and can be turned 360 degrees. The teeth will leave permanent marks in vegtan or harness leather. The 29 series are known by their common use name: "Patcher" - as in shoe patcher. They are not designed for production, but for footwear repairs. A 29-4 is not going to sew 3 layers of 8 oz leather. If you really push it you might get 5/16" under the foot. Stitch length varies with the thickness of the work and is limited to about 6 to the inch, maximum (rebuilt 29-4's may yield up to 5/inch for a while). If the mechanism driving the foot is badly worn you will probably get less than 7 stitches to the inch, on 1/8" of leather and 8/inch on 1/4". The condition of the inner moving parts depends on how old the machine is and how well it was maintained by all owners who used it. Certain parts are known to wear out and will need to be replaced with new-old stock, or made/beefed up in a metal shop. Bob Kovar, at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines - 866-362-7397, has replacement parts, needles and bobbins for Singer Patchers.

It turned out that my new-old Union Lockstitch machine came equipped with a custom modified stepping foot, set to about 6 wide, ugly steps to the inch. Does anybody have a flat bottom, standard pressor foot they can spare? I also need a raised throat plate for holsters and cases. Anybody???

You're welcome! Here's a link to just one of the new walking foot machines offered by one of our dealers, Cobra Steve. Bob Kovar, in Toledo, has all kinds of new and used industrial sewing machines, including Cowboy leather stitchers, at very reasonable prices. He has no website, but his phone number is 866-362-7397. He can mail you brochures for Cowboy machines. Other brands represented by members of the leatherworker.net forum include representatives of Artisan, Campbell-Bosworth, Boss and Techsew (and probably more). You won't find a better place to get help online for your leather sewing problems and questions than right here. BTW: here is a picture of my National walking foot machine. It sews just over 3/8" of leather, Naugahyde, or nylon strapping, flawlessly, with up to #207 nylon thread. It uses Consew parts, which are available everywhere industrial sewing parts are sold.