catskin

I am NOT saying Lieghtons machines are not good. BUT his price was $1000.00 more than the machine from Toledo when I checked in November and DIDN'T include all the optional parts. ( plates, feet ,table etc.) You are closer to Toledo then Alberta to. I didn't deal with Techsew because they had no machines on hand at the time, would have had to wait 4 to 6 weeks before they thought they might get some in. From Toledo I had my machine in 6 days.

I have seen something that looked quite similar made out of metal that fastened to the front of the breast collar on team harness in order to carry the pole.

Your awls must be good! Not long ago one of the guys on here said if an awl doesn't go half way through your finger before you feel it, it is not sharp enough.

I am one that Greenwood refered to. There is NO duty on sewing machines. Shipping from Toledo to Sask. was $250. plus provinial tax, Customs told me that you can bring (have shipped ) a machine without a broker, they can just attach an invoice and you pay it after the machine arrives.

I don't know why nobody answered your question. I don't do much hand sewing but from what I have done I would suggest the awl should be just big enough that you can push the needles through without to much difficulty. So that would mean thicker awl for thicker needles and visa versa.

Thank you WIZ. That does explain why my old fossil of an Adler with just bottom feed and jump foot is more consistant in stitch length regardless of how much is under the foot. It is because the feed dog moves the material the same distance regardless of how thick it is. I do understand now why this is as it is on the needle feed machine. And that it isn't just this make of machine that does it.

As Art stated other machines DO NOT make a different stitch length when you change thickness of leather under the foot. My OLD Adler 20-2 does not and it has just bottom feed and jump foot. I have a new 4500 Cowboy so I know what they are like. I thought the new machines would be at least as good as the OLD ones as far as consistant stitch length is concerned. This might have to do with the linkages in the compound feed. I do hope someone will get on here and explain why this happens.

Rayban, I believe the question here is why are the stitches not the same length on thicker leather as on thin WITHOUT changeing the setting on the lever. I think they should be, so that when you sew from thick to thin or visa versa such as where you have leather overlaped the stiches stay the same length.

Just wondering, why reply to your own post and answer your own questions?

J B, you did a very good job of finding those links that prove my points. As for your claim that I do not support science , you are wrong, I support GOOD science stronger then most. What I do NOT support is scientists who pick and choose what they want to believe just to fill their pockets. There is NO proof that anybody on earth has the ability to measure the amount of Co2 or any other so called greenhouse gases put out by man accurately enough to be relavant. If they could all of the tests would be very near the same, THEY ARE NOT. For example these man made global warmnig claimants were saying very recently that the area in Australia that had been drought stricken for about 10 years would never again see enough rain to sustain any kind of livelihood for people , and now it is having the worst FLOODS in history. These same kind of people claimed that the oil spill in the gulf would take 100s or more years to disappear and now they can barely find at trace bacause natural organisims deep in the ocean have broken it down so as nearly none is left as crude oil. If a person wants the truth you must look at ALL the science to before making up your mind.

Here are a few FACTS. If I am wrong prove it. Pollution and the changes in climate are two totally different things. Man with all his so called wisdom can NOT tell me what the temperature will be within 2 degrees tomorrow at noon. And some scientists expect sane people to beleive they can tell us the KNOW what the average yearly temperature was 100 or 1000 or 1000000 years ago. If these man made global warming claimants were intellegent enough to get out and look at the tree stumps in the arctic or the fossils they would see that earth was warmer by far in the past then it is now. If science is to be believed each volcano that erupted such as mount St helens or pinatubo and there are many others, each put out more Co2 and other so called greenhouse gases in 1 hour then all mankind ever has in a year why don't they just CAP one volcano and they could freeze all life on earth to death in a few years. If any body thinks there is no God where is the proof?

I know 2 people that have Landis #1's and both told me they use pearson needles. Even if you had to make a bit of adjustment it would still be worth it. I wish I could find one at that price. I know of one and the guy wants $2500 for it. So the $250 is just makeing stealing it LEGAL. Lucky you.

I suggest if the people that make / sell the machine can't supply the needle you need don't buy the machine.

VERY well put !!!!!!!!

I am just poking my nose in here in hopes it might help. While I don't have a Landis #1 I know of 2 and both owners told me they use Peirson needles in these machines. So if you have trouble getting needles this might be worth looking into even if it took a bit of adjusting to make them work.

I know 2 people who have or had #1 Landis machines and the both told me they use the same needle as Pearson machines. So might be worth checking.

While this will not keep your machine exactly original but it will eliminate slipping. I did this on a big old machine, I replaced the belt with sprockets and a chain. In my case I used sprockets and chain from 2 bikes with very little machineing and drilling 6 small holes I was able to put a sprocket on the side of the clutch pulley and one on the side of the pulley on the fly wheel on the machine. All this without harming the pulleys so it could be put back to belt drive in about half an hour if I chose to. Now I can start out with the needle touching the leather and go through 7/8 leather just stepping on the clutch pedal. Don't see why it would not work even if you stay with the treadle drive.

Do I qualifiy for a chunk of free leather to test in my work? I am not too fussy since it would be mostly cut in strips and sewed up for light harness. It would not have to be slaughter free, anything suitable for pleasure driving pony harness would do. Flaws and brands would be okay.

Steve I didn't mean any harm with my question, just wondered since some may not consider a needle SLAUGHTER. Being from Canada I've read some of the stories as to what some people have done with horses. And some is NOT nice.

Interesting subject. Now to through a cat in the tub of feathers. (as the saying around here is) A question for Steve. Would all the horses that are dying in the US since horse slaughter for food, has been banned, from all sorts of things including starvation and the "pet" horses that are killed with a needle (by a vet ) qualify for this program?

Did you ever considered sending the needle bar to Bob Kovar? I bet he can get those screws out and save the needle bar. Postage shouldn't be much compared to if you damage the screws and end up having to get a new needle bar.

Here is a bit of advice based on my RECENT experiance. ( within the last month ) I to am from Canada and wanted a machine NOW. I contacted Techsew and was told they had no 180-2 machines in stock at the time and it would be ABOUT 3 weeks till they got any. They might have some by now. I talked to Ryan at Neels saddlery same story. SO I phoned Bob Kovar he had the Cowboysew 4500 IN STOCK, 10 days later I was sewing with my new machine. They also have a special on where virtually every attachment is included, stuirup plate, holster plate,blanket feet, table, etc at no extra price. The claim is that the attachments are worth $1200. if bought seperately. While they claim they sew 3/4 inch I have gone right along on 7/8 plus like it was butter. There is NO duty you have to pay the tax but you have to any way. Shipping took 6 days including 2 days delay because of closed highways. Shipping was $240.00. Toledo is actually closer then Montreal. Might be worth a look.

Thanks for the help. On the turning hard by hand I guess I got confused after reading a post by Jim saddler saying how easy Cowboy sew machines turn by hand. After checking I find that thread was started quite some time ago. And those machines probably had a different motor /drive system on them. I find this to be a VERY GOOD machine, I am happy with it. I do have one suggestion for the company, and that is to make up and include some instructions for the motor /drive system so buyers would know what they are meant to do and how they are meant to do it.

I just got my new machine and there were no instructions included relating to the servo motor and drive. So here are my questions. 1. Why is it EXTREMELY hard to turn by hand with the belt on? ( such as when you want to lift the needle ) Is there a brake that needs ajusting? It drives fine with the motor. I tried to just put a little pressure on the foot pedal to see if it would release a brake, but it either drives the machine or seems to have a brake on. Should the motor turn when it is turned by hand? If there is a brake should it release even when the power ( red / green button )switch is off? 2. What is the plugin on the back of the motor case meant to be used for? 3. Why when I reverse it is there a bit of thread tangle on the bottom? I only reverse it when it is stopped.

Something for you all to think about. I keep my personal opinions to my self. This is the opinion stated by several psycoligists in an article I read recently. For the majority of younger people getting peirced these days, It is a form of self mutiation stemming from an unstable mental state. This would NOT include those such as the native American who does it for cultural reasons.