dailywarren

Thanks, guys. I'll keep up the research and the practice, practice, practice! I love the machine and will also get the seller on the phone for a quick run-through. Spencer

You guys are always excellent with your feedback and it's appreciated. Thank you. I just assembled my Techsew GA5-1R. I've explored the machine and have familiarized myself with threading and spooling a bobbin, but am utterly ignorant when it comes to some basics. For instance: - the presser foot: do you use both feet, the left foot for running the motor and the right foot for adjusting the pressure of the foot (the machine's foot) on the leather you're sewing? - although tested and adjusted before being disassembled and shipped to me, my first stitches simply bunched up a lot of thread down where the shuttle works. By using the pedal and moving the leather around a bit, I can now punch a neat row of holes in a piece of leather but it doesn't actually stitch. It appears to tie a knot in the two threads on the first pass and then gets fouled around the bobbin shuttle. - the tension seems so tight that it's fraying the main thread (not the lower bobbin thread). Sorry so basic, and one of my actual questions is if anyone can recommend a book or video on the very basics of machine sewing and general operation? I have reviewed the information that came with the machine and looked at the videos for my model of Techsew on youtube but would really like some help shortening my learning curve. I'm a good student and would pay for some expertise if someone in the Midwest here is familiar with the GA5-1R. Thanks for all, Spencer

And now...having finally received the settlement from the insurance company that the lawyers have been arbitrarily making interest off of for the last 6 months...I can call Ron and get a quote on a rootin'-tootin', holster-making, dad-burned, leather-sewing machine! Thanks, Leatherworker.net and all involved. Your help was greatly appreciated! Spencer

Thanks, fellas....I owe you a cookie! More than that, actually, as I thought this machine would really do the trick. But I've read my leatherworker.net forums and it sounds like Techsew is still the way to go! Thanks again, Spencer

Hello all (I love these forums!), I've been watching craigslist for a leather sewing machine and now there's a singer 281-3 for sale for about $350. Good condition with table and lamp. What do you guys think of the price and my intention to do leather holster work with it? Thanks, Spencer