Singermania

HI Tor, I've lost my 441 operators manual and can't find the original download, can you make available the one you have, the above links don't seem to work. I heard a rumour that the last Juki 441 is not such a great machine as before, any truth in that? best regards Steve

The Saddlers and Harness Makers Assoc of Australia's Queensland branch is holding its next meeting on the 15th of February 2015 starting at 10am at Steve's Leather Machines in Gooburrum, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. Anyone interested in meeting the committee members or seeing an 80 strong collection of old heavy leather machines are welcome to attend. Newer machines will also be catered for by Darren Brosowski of Able Sewing who has promised to bring along some top examples. General maintenance, servicing and operation of machines can be discussed and there should be sufficient professional saddlers on hand to answer any sewing questions. Pls contact me for more information. Regards Steve Bonnett

Yes 3/4 servo should have loads of power for an SK-6... regards Steve

The boys are correct, I have one of these, some people call them saddlestitch machines, can't imagine why... Yes you'd be lucky to get a quarter inch out of it. I think the person giving you the info is confusing a Union Special with a Union Lockstitch. The US will go 3/4".

Great photos, thanks for posting

Well done, these are great machines... regards Steve

pls note, like other people, I don't appreciate snooty replies, I give my time free of charge, if my reply is out of date it doesn't need your response.

Wiz is right, these machines have safety clutches and need to be reset as stated, if its still a bit stiff I'd think you still have a piece of thread stuck somewhere, best not to turn machine backwards if poss. Keep looking, its doubtful that you've bent a shaft, on some models the handwheel mysteriously tightens up close to the machine body and any slight wobble in that wheel/shaft will cause a tight spot, but again is not that common. regards STeve

Sorry to hear of your problems, I'd agree with the other guys and ring Steve, I'm over in Australia and even I've heard he's a good egg. Servo motors can be a little touchy, I'd be inclined to pull out the manual and go thru the setup steps....if its still dead after that then you can update Steve on what you've found. Yes the table should be covered by the carrier, get some good photos of the packaging as well as the table top. I have a saying here, hope no carriers are reading this.... 'if a carrier can break it they will'... In other words we over pack as much as poss.

Yes the lads are correct, your thread must really be slopping around in the eye of the needle, there are lots of downloadable needle/thread charts available on the net. regards

Yes, glue in the stitch line will cause dropped stitches, there are some better glues available, so I hear from saddlers, better they tell you though than me... Otherwise keep the glue out of the stitch line if poss, it doesn't do the machine a lot of good either. regards Steve

HI Everyone, I see this is a hot topic at the moment..... I've never imported any Chinese or Indian machines so am not sure what I'd feel about them if I did. I certainly would not have any qualms about remaking a great old machine myself if I had the skills.... and maybe changing one or two things with the benefit of seeing modern machines at work. I have turned to Darren a few times to get some Chinese replacement parts for machines that have needed to do a days work and original parts have been either unavailable or I haven't been able to make them in time to get the machine back out in the field...... the parts appear to be holding up ok. Darren, if you are reading this can you give me a ring, I once again need some tables and motors if you have them, I rang you today but your fone was at message bank and the bank was full. Regards Steve

Hi, I'm surprised to see a roller foot 45K89, as the three I have are all with the jump foot and reverse. The machine in the photo looks particularly nice. With regards to the roller foot, Darren of Able Sewing here in Australia can supply them new if you are interested. The 45K is a good machine, good up to around 10mm thickness, screws are readily available over here and international mail for such a small item is cheap. I think there are only 3 screws in the 45K shuttle, one that the barrel pivots on, the second to hold in the spring that locks the barrel (bobbin case) in and the third is the tension spring. Of all of those the only one I'd expect to wear would the be the second Ie the tension spring screw. Insufficient tension due to a stripped screw would be more likely to produce a loose or looped thread on the top rather than the bottom. To loop on the bottom I'd suspect the top tension to be too loose or even the thread takeup spring has either been bypassed or is faulty. Best Regards Steve

Hi, haven't been on in a while, been flat out. Thrilled to bits with the Singer 133K8, 10 and 17 manual...!!! You are a real lifesaver, I have two 133K17s and didn't have the manual for them. Thanks so much. Best Regards Steve

Wow, you've done well, I"ve never seen the manuals for the 133K8 and 17, would be interested in them or a copy. I don't know what I'd have to trade? Regards Steve

I was a bit sad to see the Junkers and Ruh go to a new owner, but I can't keep all the machines. Today I found amongst my bits and pieces a Junkers & Ruh tin with nice writing on top, called the new owner and gave it to him along with some needles and other bits I had secreted away. Always nice to have the bits and pieces that go with machines.

Sounds like you've got it sussed. The Singer 132B2B flatbed walking foot will sew to around 14mm, its also a very nice machine. regards Steve

HI Darren, yep that'd be great, I've seen the small ones on ebay for around $500. Nice to see someone make something on home soil rather than send to China.

HI Glenn, yes that's what I thought, its probably worth about $1200 here as that's the going price for a running good condition machine. Regards Steve

I have old Bradbury patcher that I"ve pulled out of mothballs and am looking at cleaning for display, I notice in the US there is one on ebay for $5000, isn't that kinda high??? What do you think a Bradbury would normally be worth there?

HI Folker and Gary, am trying to have one of each of the heavy saddlery and harness machines. I also have a few of the old thumpers, however Singer made so many 7 class its almost beyond anyones ability to have one of each. I've attached a photo of some Singer 6 class, 7 class and a couple Adler 20 class. In the foreground there is also a Singer 47K1 and a long arm Singer darner. The manuals are just the standard type, the 45K manual just in is the cylinder arm version though, but I dont' have the ability to scan it in anymore. Regards Steve

more pics..... and the flatbed Singer 45K manual.... if the manuals aren't readable let me know and I'll try to send them another way. Regards Steve 45K operator manual.pdf

HI All, well if you like the Pearson I've got some other photos for you from my shed, there is also the A1 and No 2 amongst them. I'll also try to attach the Singer 132K6 manual and the Singer 45K flatbed manual.... Singer-Class-132K-Sewing-Machines-Instructions.pdf

ok thanks guys, Folker that's a nice array of 45K parts you have there. I dont' need them myself however a lot of people run these machines and now that you have put them on the site they will appear in google searches and you might have some luck selling them. Also ebay is good for this, people will order small parts like these from overseas. Elly and I have been away a few days delivering some machines and collecting others. Of interest I was thrilled to buy a BUSMC A1, these are an excellent machine for decorative work on skirts and boots etc, this one came from a really nice chap not that far from home, he's a retired saddler and let me also have a Pearson no 6. The A1 is on the original stand with the original bobbin winder, I haven't taken a photo of it yet but will attach the catalogue drawing for anyone not sure what the machine might be. Also in the 'big thrill' department I got an original Singer 45K cylinder arm manual, I have the standard 45K manual saved and can print it but have never been able to locate the real thing until now. It took years to get the Singer 132K6 manual and now I have this one too. For those that have asked me for a copy of the 132K6 workshop manual, I do have it but its copyrighted.... Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.,,, regards Steve

HI Folker, Nice array of parts, I think I have most of what I need, however I wish I had kept a list of people wanting other 45k parts as I could have passed them to you. regards Steve