-
Posts
4,134 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Everything posted by Art
-
Hi Brad, The Singer Slant-o-matic 500A "Rocketeer" was by Singer's own words, the best sewing machine we ever built. I might agree with that if you tag "for the home market" onto the back of that; and if you are talking machines that do multiple stitches, it is the best. Nothing will ever match the 7 Class or the 111-155 for best in class Singer though. This "Rocketeer" is a 1960's ALL METAL (I think their last) machine that is pretty rugged and had a pretty powerful motor for a home machine. In good shape they will sew anything you can get under the foot leatherwise. Remember it still has a "Home" motor, so you don't want to go to war with it, but test it out with 8oz veg and it will probably do it easily (wedge needle please). It threads front to back like most home machines. No Reverse that I am aware of, and the slant-o-matic comes from the ability to slant the needle to the side various amounts, I can't tell you why, but it must have been important to someone, that control is to the right of the stitch selection dials that are dead center on front of the machine. Nice machine for $100-$250, collectors push really cherry ones higher. Art
-
Not for heavy stuff, but for medium range, say under 3/8, a used Pfaff 545, or used Consew 206 RB might be the easiest to find, Nakajima 280L, and Singer 111-155 are also good machines you might get for $500. My druthers would be a tight Pfaff 545 or 1245, but you won't find a 1245 in your price range. With Pfaffs especially, make sure the table comes with it, the cutouts are a little different. Art
-
Hi Shirley, I think you gave him way more info than he warranted. I've heard many a sob story, and if the cause is good, then I can give, but not labor or product, and the "cause" has to meet my scrutiny. The answer is "No, I can't do that", no explanation is needed. There used to be a joke in retail, "I'm taking a loss on that, but I'll make it up in volume!". Art
-
Hi Luke, The Consew 227 is a lot like the Singer 153W series of machine. The 227-R series of Consews have reverse which the Singer 153 never had. Same needles generally, usually the 135-7 or 135-16. The 153W103 is probably the best of the 153s, it also has feed dogs. Art
-
Hi Raven, The 153W103 is a nice machine for medium work. It is one of the few reasonably priced machines in this category with a cylinder arm, it also has the drop feed in addition to the needle feed. In factory trim, these machines were setup to run 2000spm and sometimes more, you would need to slow that down a bit, maybe a new motor. It uses a 135X16 needle system and a max thread of about 138. No reverse, but that never bothered them. Not knowing what shape it is in, I wouldn't pay over about $200-$300 for it complete, but it would make a welcome addition to the machine room for medium duty cylinder arm work, if the price is right and if it is tight. Art
-
Hi Bree, I am not sure you can classify the GB6-180-2 as a 441 clone. I am going to bet there are quite a few parts that do not interchange, especially in the head (takeup is on front not the side for example). The true 441 clone looks identical to the Juki 441, and everything interchanges. Art
-
Nothing wrong with head knife, but for sole bend, just use the band saw. Art
-
Hi Slim, Since nobody will just tell you what needle system to use, just email Marlies.Bodere@schmetz.com and ask for the needle system size for a Superstar GA5-1. And if you use Schmetz, you will get good needles. If you send an email with the info on the package, I can probably figure it out, there are 5 different systems that cross a lot, but the important ones are System and Canu. Your machine uses (for leather) a System 328LR (or Canu 50:10AX1) which is a narrow reverse twist point that gives the slightly slanted stitch a la hand stitching, or the System 328S (or Canu 50:10JL1) which is a narrow cross point that gives the straight inline stitch. These needles come in sizes 140 (22) to 250 (27) for the "S" and "LR" points, some of the aforementioned designations should be on your needle packs. I won't guarantee you can find all of those sizes, but the Adler 204s and 205s and 104s and 105s use them as do a bunch of others so Weaver, Artisan, and Industrial machine shops like Toledo and Raphael will have them. You should pay less than $10 a pack for quality needles. Art
-
Now, there you go. Art
-
Hi Jordan, I don't think it is Gum Trag they are extracting from those plants. I've used it to smooth the insides of holsters and sheaths that aren't doubled. It is also a natural top coat. I don't know if they use Gum Trag, but you can get leather "Moss Back" from HO and "Gum Back" from W/C. Seems like they always do a better job than I do. Art
-
Hi Joe, Why not have the person put an ad in marketplace for it. Won't cost them anything and would get you out of the loop, also in a couple of days the search engines will have it for more advertising. Art
-
Hi Bree, Jerry has been in the sewing machine business since the camel wore sandals and I don't think he would put it on the big stand if it wasn't necessary. I would give him a call 1-888-838-1408 and see what he says. Those guys know what they are doing and I don't think they will sell you something that won't work. The newer motors are a bit lighter and offer less of a counterpoise to the head weight outboard of the column, so you might really need the additional support of the big column on the Heavy stand. Make sure to get lift gate delivery; the driver will have a pallet jack with him and will put it wherever you want it and he can get to. I usually tip them $20. Then get the spot ready and clear a path to it and call over three heavy duty dudes, anyone who can stand up a Harley will do really well. The head and stand are usually apart so that's half the battle. If the stand has casters, then that is a big plus, otherwise put a couple of furniture pads on the floor so you can slide without scratching (the floor not the stand). If you have steps, prepare for a little cussing and screaming (a case of bud doesn't hurt here either). After you get the stand where you want it, it is just a matter of bolting the head on, no mean feat, but three guys and a little teamwork will get it on the stand and the bolts in, everything will fit. A couple of Crescent wrenches will help. At this point you might want to call Steve and let him walk you through everything, he's a great guy and has the patience of Job. To save a little money (but it will require a little effort) Jerry and Steve will be at the IFoLG show in Columbus, Ohio September 26, 27, and 28 and might be able to deliver a machine to you there, it would save the shipping, of course you would need a pickup or a trailer (or both). You would have to work that out with them. Art
-
Hi HCM, The Consew is somewhat a copy of the Singer 29 Adler 30. There is no shortage of parts for the Adler or the Singer, they are used in the shoe repair industry today and a couple of clones are available, most parts interchange. I would prefer an Adler on a stand which you should be able to get into fairly reasonable, probably under $900, but I wouldn't pass up a good Singer which you might get for a couple of hundred less. New these machines go for $1700 to $2200. First caveat, these are not heavy stitchers and do NOT feed as well as a leather sewing machine. They are patchers and will do some things that are almost impossible on a regular machine. On the Singers particularly be careful of the arms, they are not as sturdy as some of the newer machines, and once you break one, the machine is practically toast. Thread size limit will be 138, but I've seen ones that only like 92 or 69. You can adjust them to run any of the three but once you have them adjusted, you stick with the same thing forever, even changing colors can be a little tricky. Like Ron Popeil says, "Set it and Forget it". What I am trying to say here is that you need a medium stitcher, a heavy stitcher and maybe a 29 over in the corner. Sometimes you can get a stitcher like the Artisan 3000 to cover the medium and heavy angle, but a top feed machine like the 29 is not going to do well for you as a general purpose sewing machine, however if you sew patches on sleeves, a 3000 would get old fast doing that job. Art
-
Hi Bree, On Jackets, I did a bunch of these in the 80's, M/C, School, Team, you name it. I still have partnerships in a few team shops. For patches on sleeves or shoulders, there is nothing like a 29 or 30, I guess that's why they call it a patcher. For sewing jacket backs (or fronts) I recommend removing the lining, sewing on the patch, and reinstalling the lining. It looks better and there is less chance of stitching the lining in the wrong place, it also hides a multitude of things. Also designing a flat bed table that wheels into place makes it easier to do heavier jackets. Artisan makes something like that which attaches to the 3000, but I don't know if they have something for the bigger machines. It would have to be custom for the 25s and 36s. Also, weight is not as big a factor as you might think when you distribute it over a large area. If a 200-250 lb person can stand with their feet together in a spot, there is not much likelihood that even a big stitcher will go crashing through the floor. Have the whole family stand where you are going to have the machine and if you survive, the machine will probably be OK too. Art
-
Hi Ian, For harness or bridle, I doubt you would need the drop feed so you would get it setup with a needle feed plate on the bottom. You can use the left foot that comes with it that seldom marks or something special from Steve. If you turn corners (of course you do) you can grind or file the nib off the center foot and buff it smooth or they probably make one without it. This and the pressure foot pressure adjustment seems to cure most marking. Of course, don't sew wet leather. However, I have seen a couple of 3000s that don't mark out of the box, dogs and all. Art
-
Hi Bree, Artisan has hands down the best price on the 25". I have always asked myself why I would buy a 16 instead of a 25 based on the price. The answer is it is a monster. If you have the room, it is kind of good that the price is what it is on the 25. For most companies, they KNOW you have a special need when you want a 25 and they really zap you on price, the 16 and 25 are really not that much different and I think the Artisan price is really fair. Now if you want a 36 inch machine, the price goes through the roof and I can see the reasonability in that, the things weigh twice as much and the stand is the Godzilla of stands. Art
-
Hi Bree, Most of the Chinese manufacturers make a decent machine. Problem is, we aren't in China. We are dependent on the distributors and dealers for selection and service. I can speak to Artisan, Ferdco, Pfaff, Juki, and Adler (German not Chinese) and they are all very good machines, with the Germans and the Japanese producing the best products manufacturing wise. Nonetheless, I have run the dog snot out of a Chinese big stitcher (900 rpm for hours on end stitching Kevlar thread on fire blankets and elevator padding doing quilting which is long runs at high speed over and over) without a whimper. This is a Highlead machine, the same base machine as an Artisan. If you go to any of the big shows (usually out West), you will see 3 or more sewing machine dealers/distributors. But let's talk about the East coast or mid shows like the IFoLG show that will be in Columbus OH this fall and in Indiana next year. Sometimes you see a whopping 10 vendors or so at these shows and attendance is not really that high. You only see ONE sewing machine company at these, and it is always Artisan. They sell maybe 2 or 3 machines there which would never cover the cost of hauling that trailer all across the country and room and board from LA and back. I'm sure they HOPE they make costs. I asked Jerry why they do it and he said because we see our friends and visit with them and that's enough. Kind of like when you buy an Artisan, you buy a relationship. Artisan gets so much ink here because the machines are good and the company and people are SO DAMNED GOOD. The little extra you may pay now won't seem like much a year down the road. And what dealer do you know that will help you fix someone else's machine? A machine they didn't sell you, that one of their competitors sold you; over the phone and on their dime. Art
-
Hi Bill, The more expensive one looks like a 797 and the cheaper one looks like a 111 clone. The 111 has needle feed and the 797 has drop feed. Both of these machines are setup to run at speeds that are too high for any leatherwork excepting maybe garment work. I can't be sure of the quality, I don't know anyone using either one. Art
-
Hi Susan, On the 29, there is a thumb screw and bracket on the feed bar (the thingi that goes to the presser foot), loosen the thumb screw and move the bracket down to lengthen the stitch and up to shorten it. The looping may be caused by insufficient top tension, tighten the disc mechanism the thread goes through. Here is a manual for the 29-4 29_4.pdf Art 29_4.pdf
-
I know Joe Lomeo makes them also, cost is about $250. wanderer_1 AT ameritech DOT com
-
I'm pretty sure David LaFlair at Cochise Leather Company 1-866-813-9655 has them, they are made of sterling silver and if he sells you one, it won't be cheap. Art
-
Hi Noah, Sorry, you got lost in the crash. Which 108? they made then in flat bed (W2) and cylinder arm (W20). The W20 and W21s were a lot like the 153s except they had the "vibrating" foot instead of the walking foot system of the 153W103s. The 108 were used primarily for doing bindings and shoe uppers, some can be found with the binder mechanism still attached. The dial on the handwheel is for adjusting stitch length, that throws some folks. I'm pretty sure it uses the 135X1 needle system and can use needles up to 21 or 22 and about 92 or 138 thread max, more on the smaller side. A nice machine, but lacks a lot of the "extras" of the 153W103s and 104s. Art
-
Hi Susan, The 30-1 is a good old machine used by the shoe repair industry. It has a top feed and is ok for veg tan up to about 5/16 thickness and maybe a little more of chrome tan. You really need to get a manual for it. Thread should be 69 or 92 or 138 poly, nylon, or Tenara (Cordura). The Needles for the 30-1 are of the 332 System and you will use size 22 or 23 (140 or 160). Schmetz makes them in the LG and LL points and get the LL if you can. You could also use a System 29 X 3 in a pinch and they're almost always size 23 (160). Expect to pay about $1.50 per needle from a shoe supplier (they almost always have them), I think Zack White carries them too. Threading one is a show me kind of thing and your best bet is to find a shoe repair shop with one and ask him to show you. Maintenance is Industrial sewing machine 101 and timing is 102 and any "old" machine repair guy can do it. Parts aren't that hard either as there are still plenty of them (and their Singer brothers) around. Art
-
Here is the latest work from the 2008 Columbus IFoLG Show. A message from Geraldene Pittenger, Secretary of the Buckeye Leathercrafters of Central Ohio guild: ================================================= 2008 IFoLG Show Plans are moving ahead for a great 2008 Show. We hope several of your members will be attending, and staying at the Columbus Airport Marriott. You can make hotel reservations by going to http://www.columbusairportmarriott.com, group code BLCBLCA. If you prefer to make reservations by phone, call 1-800-491-5717 and ask for the IFoLG LEATHERSHOW room block. If you have any further questions, please let us know or look at our Guild website http://www.buckeyeleathercrafters.org/. You can also make the hotel reservations by a link from our guild website. Banquet tickets are $29.95 and should be ordered by sending the names and a check made payable to Buckeye Leathercrafters (or BLCO) to Carol Martin, 414 Hiler Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228. You can send your $2.50 registration fee at the same time, if you have not already done so. Please consider if any of your members would be willing to be a judge or a scribe and send us their names. Also send names of people who would do a mini-demonstration sometime on Saturday or on Sunday morning before the raffle drawing. Please let us know of any raffle items your members are planning to bring to the Show. All individuals, companies and guilds who donate will have their names listed in the program, if we know it before the programs are printed. Send donations or a description of the donation (in case you will be bringing it with you) to: Carol Martin, 414 Hiler Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228. Thank you in advance. Looking forward to meeting you at the 2008 IFoLG Show. Sincerely, Geraldene Pittenger Secretary, BLCO Contacts: Carol Martin 414 Hiler Road Columbus, Ohio 43228 Geraldene Pittenger Secretary, BLCO e-mail: gjp2235d AT hotmail DOT com Please note that the beginning letters of my e-mail address are the lower case of GJP and not GIP. I have had some trouble with people thinking the J was an I. ================================================= Art
-
Hi Shirley, No T and A but I think you really pulled it off. Nice to see the Bad Ass in there, that will make the pattern OK. Tell us how to buy a ticket please. Art