catskin

I agree with all of you that it is stupid to abuse machines, that why I said I have SEEN it done but haven't done it. I believe the person that made that vid was trying to show that good machines CAN do tough jobs. I stand by that tin that thin does not take near the power that say 3/4 inch of tough leather to punch through.

Heck that's nothing, license plates are just thin soft tin. I've seen machines sew 1/2 inch plywood. I haven't done it but would not be afraid to try.

From this last post it seems to be something to do with the take up lever not pulling the thread up as far as it should. This could be caused by something loose or maybe for some reason something is bumping and releasing the top thread tension for just a fraction of a second as the take up lever gets to the top of its stroke. Thus not pulling the thread the last bit up in to the leather. Disclaimer: I do not own a machine of these models, this based on general sewing machine functions.

If I read your post right you are trying to see if the machine will catch the thread with out sewing anything, most machines will not catch the top thread every time unless the needle is going through something (sewing )Being that you are having trouble with both machines I think you need to recheck the threading. Sounds to me like you might be missing something in the threading.

Thank you will keep you in mind. Where are you located?

I know this is not the sale forum but hope the right person will see it. Dealers or private. We are looking for a useable fur machine or Serger to use closing the toes on home spun knitted socks we have seen it done.

Or the quick easy solution as I have done. 5 minutes to put a spot of brass on the one part and a few minutes with a file to make it fit the groove on the other one and you save $$$$ and don't through away good easily fixable parts.

Thanks for all the good advice. I still do not know for sure if this lady will sell, hers son says its about time since her husband died 10 years ago. I have a cowboy 4500 plus 4 other machines, each with its own limitations and abilities, that sew leather I am just wondering if this one might also have a place here. Keep the good advice and opinions coming all are valuable to me.

I may have a chance to buy a good Landis # 1 within easy driving distance. So I am wondering if anyone on here might have bought, sold or known of one changing hands in the last couple of years and at what price. I am not new to sewing machines just not familiar with the price these are bringing. I would like to get a clue as to what it might be worth. Thanks in advance for any help.

I have a 78-3 while I haven't had it very long it will easily sew 5/16 inches of deer skin stacked up. I have found it will go over any thick seam I have come across. I haven't tried to see what the max thread it will use yet. If the price is right it would be a good machine to have for the work it can do. They do NOT mark the leather like one with a bottom feed dog that has teeth. Being needle feed they have smooth foot so it doesn't mark either. I have 5 machines so each has a job to do.

Have you thought about a good as new used machine that has the ability to do everything now plus a bit of room for heavier later. While still within budget. Bob and others usually have them.

Your price is VERY reasonable but distance beats me out on this one.

Sorry to far away for me.

Const. I am talking about GENUINE SINGER brand needles NOT schmetz or anything else. They ARE longer then a 135 from eye to point just measure them you will see.

Where are you located?

R-Shooter, I hope you have it solved by now BUT if not.I know I have said this kind of thing before but check every little thing that the thread touches it could be so small as a take up spring brushing something near it ( frame, guide something ) just once in a while. And that could be the problem. And as Colt said it is black thread from tandy that doesn't work. Now to qualify what I have said I DO NOT have a Boss, this comes from my experience with other machines. Sometimes it can the tiniest thing that is almost invisible that drives us up the wall so to speak.

Actually the needles are not the same length the genuine singer patcher needles are longer from the hole to the end (point )then are the 135 needles. I have both. Either needle will work in a patcher but the patcher needle will not always work where a 135 is needed. I know this because the patcher needle will not work in my singer 78-3 only a 135 will.

YES YES. I have bought thread from tandy ( 346 ) that cost me $75.00 YES 75.00 for a one pound spool and it will not work right in the top of my machines bought thread from Bob for $15.00 and works perfectly.

Can you not just take the pulley you have in to place where they sell bearings belts sprockets and all that kind of thing and get a pulley in the size you want with the hole the size you need? Here in Canada it would be easy. Looking at the picture it looks almost exactly like the pulley on a Bosch or delco alternator. Maybe you could find one at a machinery dealer.

I bought CB 4500. Time it was sitting in my house with about every foot needle plate and optional attachment possible it still cost me about HALF of just a machine from him. That includes shipping, tax,customs broker everything. So yes I think he did right.

JLS ,I think he will be treated better because of the ATTITUDE of the local guy. I tried to deal with him more then once and was treated like crap. And the price is way better too. That's why I bought from Bob in Ohio.

Sounds to me like it could be the thread tension is not even ( not feeding smoothly ) that it binds someplace or slips to easily for a stitch once in a while. It can be hard to find since it does not happen at a regular time. Recheck everything that the thread touches. Make certain it never binds as it comes of the spool.

Isn't calling this DIRECT drive false, it is BELT driven. Direct drive would be with the motor coupled directly to the machine shaft.

Iranger where it seemed you were dissing new machines was where you say so many have trouble with new machines. This is most likely because so many new machines are sold to people new to sewing that do not understand the simple basic way a sewing machine works. They ARE simple machines to those who can grasp the principle. Just as I said about my NOT grasping computer systems. Just bring some guy that has NEVER driven a truck and put him in one of yours, be it the old 80's one or the new one he will have as much trouble with one as the other. Most of the older machines are owned by people that have been sewing for years. So for that reason you hear less about the trouble they have since they know how to fix it .

Iranger, It has to do with knowing how to use a machine. How long would your truck , chain saw, etc. last if you had some kid who had never seen one before and did not care, operate them??? Same with sewing machines, you might be a mechanic but that doesn't mean you understand sewing machines the same as I might or somebody else does. Most six year olds can do a hundred times more then I can with a computer but I have yet to find one who knows one tenth as much as I do on making and fitting harness. So while you and all the others that are dising newer machines I would be willing to bet you will NOT be sewing in 90 years time. I have 5 machines ranging in age from OLD OLD to a Cowboy 4500 all do excellent work if they are used right all can give no end to trouble if the operator doesn't know how to use them. No different from your machines.