catskin

Why 9 month wait for a machine? I thought these guys keep machines in stock.

It is an American straight needle. I bought one last summer. For less then that. They are available totally rebuilt from Landis international in Montreal for $ 3500.00 At a glance it looks like this one is either partly taken apart or has a few pieces missing. It does not have the flat table on it. and it looks like the sole stitching plate is not on it either. They can be set up either as a sole stitcher or for flat sew. I have mine set up to sew flat and it is limited to get about 4 inches in from the edge.

As for the always use smaller thread on the bottom, That makes no sense your stitches are only as strong as the weakest thread so you are wasting good thread on top by putting weak thread on the bottom. To get good stitches use the same thread top and bottom. Just adjust your machine to work that way and you will have next to no trouble with thread tension or stitching even when you change thread sizes because they are proportionatly the same.

They are limited to sewing no more then 4 inches from the edge but do well on straight lines such as traces. Or as I said before they seem to be in demand from boot makers . I am assuming that Big SS above does not have the flat or harness plate and harness feet for his that would explain why he feels it is so limited. I made both for mine and it makes them into a different machine. I used 3/16 by 8 inch plate to make the plate for mine all it takes is drilling 2 holes and making one 1/8 inch slot about 1 inch long. They are sure worth more then $35.00 because Landis international in Montreal pays a lot more then that and ships them in to restore and seem to barely keep up with the demand. So it comes down to what you need it to do, no machine does it all. Edit, The machine in the vid above HAS the flat plate I am talking about the ones set up for sole stitching have just a narrow piece instead.

I bought one this past summer It wasn't working but only took making one small part to get it going. where I bought it they knew NOTHING about and neither did I but I have sewn leather on other machines for 30 years. Since you are buying from someone who knows the machine you will be miles ahead of where I started. As for wear it has been said they NEVER wear out, mine shows on loose places anywhere. Mine was set up as most are as a sole stitcher but flat plates were available this one might have one on it. If not I made one for mine in about an hour. As for price they can be bought rebuilt from Landis in Montreal for $3500.00 they also stock some parts. Landis also buys these machines and ships them to Montreal to rebuild, so they must still be in demand. Lisa Sorel uses one as do most boot makers as I understand they are much sought after for side seaming boots. There is a vid of Lisa using hers if you google American straight needle. I will be very interested in fallowing your getting and using this machine if you do buy it. And any information you find about it that I missed.

Buying new cheap parts is not always the best choice to fix stitch length. On my 29k51 I used a spot of brass on the one piece and filed it to fit the groove in the other one and now get longer stitches then they claim on here to be possible. It seems that the parts made now just are not made to the close fit you can get by hand fitting. And with the right needle plate and needle you should be able to use up to 207 thread. I have been for 25 years. In mine I never use thinner then 138, you can, but I have never needed thread that thin.

I like your little blue assistants you better keep them around they look small enough to go in and inspect without much taking apart. HA HA

In addition to my above post. The mistake many beginners including myself at the time they tend to forget that the thickness usually doubles where you turn the end back at buckles rings etc. so 3/8 becomes 3/4 . and if your machine has 5/8 maximum it might seem at first thought that it is plenty but then when you get to the buckle you can't get it done right because you can't go up that slope.

I make horse tack and have for years. While a new machine of this size is over your stated budget anything less then 7/8 thick sewing ability I would not consider adequate if you make the stuff to light it might look nice but could kill you or somebody else when it breaks. especially if you make the foolish mistake of sewing across at the buckles ,rings and any other stress points. I just got home from a horse sale that had a lot of new tack sold and it was almost all done like that. ( mostly imported stuff that U.S companies put their brand on ) That is why I started making harness and tack, so few know that sewing across near these points is akin to the perforations between sheets on a toilet paper roll that are put there to make it tear it that point. Every needle hole is a cut ,add them together and you have cut most of the strength out of your leather. Sew only length wise along the piece. I my opinion safety beats fancy EVERY TIME. The above applies to LEATHER with leather point needles webbing and the other woven type stuff that is made to look like leather is a different matter using round point needles they slip between the strands not cut them so that is why sewing across on them is okay.

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.