Singermania

HI Ralph, Thanks so much for your reply, I noted quite a few things down. Really like the display case idea and have been checking out local auction houses for old shop stock, older the better, when I get out the Pearson attachments and parts to photograph for someone it reminds me how good they look all lined up. Especially the rein rounder attachment as theres a good 5 minute story about how to use it. Originally I had the idea of the old manual archive stored here, however leatherworker would always be better known and so thats the best place for it, though I would still like to collect as many as possible in the meantime. Sometimes when I get a machine into the collection I spend hours on the net trying to find a manual, one tip is to write what you want in German or French etc so you get the search going there too. Recently found the Adler 20 series manuals on a German site, I'd been looking for a long time for them. Other manuals are still elusive like the BUSMC no 2 & 4 and sometimes in the Singer range the parts manual is available but there is not operator manua. Many other organisations have data banks of manuals and photos like ISMACS, however they all have the same ones or carry links to each others. Yet again there are many sights that claim to have manuals and lead you through a maze of sign ups and software deals and of course there is really nothing there at the end. We mostly get small groups coming for a look thru word of mouth, a recent visits came from the owner and trainers, Begsy, Dave and Hank, from the Burrum river Saddlery School. Haven't had any luck with this posting re manuals yet, but am hopeful that someone will remember a manual in a drawer somewhere and send a copy to us. Regards Steve

HI All, I'm also casting around for ideas for displays, for example should machines be grouped by.... manufacturer, by year, by condition etc. What items of interest would be good to have around the machines... photos? needles? people working with them? accessories? What safeguards should I put into place to stop people damaging, stealing or sewing their finger to a peice of leather? If you read this item pls don't just pass over it, but take some time and give me your ideas. Regards STeve

HI post bed machines are best for shoes and boots as they are open on one side, however if the 360 degree access your are thinking of is up a jacket arm or trouser leg you wont really have the access that you might imagine. For something as complicated as you are indicating I'd suggest taking your item to the machines and trying them. We have a long arm Singer darner here in our collection, with a leather needle it will sew reasonable thicknesses in any direction without turning the job, however the stitch is ok for repair work but not as tight as a leather worker might demand. We have another machine that is a very old patcher, again it will sew in any direction, however this one is BIG and dwarfs the old Singer 29K. Here is a link showing a fellow on a darner.. .. . Regards Steve

. HI, I'm Steve Bonnett of Bundaberg, Australia, my wife and I are building a saddlery and harness machine collection/museum and presently have around 75 machines on show. We have probably the biggest Pearson no 6 collection with a dozen machines manufactured in Britian, France and Germany as well as pretty much every part and most of the accessories. There are also Koch, Champion, Singer, Adler, Randall, Drossner and so on machines. We have been able to make available foc the Pearson no 6, Singer 45K, Singer 132K6, Champion, Adler Durkopp 20 series and BUSMC Pilot and A1 manuals. However..... we desparately need more, the search is on for other Champion manuals, the Landis 1, 3 and 16 manuals, the Randall manuals, Union Lockstitch and National Harness Stitcher manuals. I know many can be purchased however our funds are drying up rapidly so we're asking for some help now. Old manuals can be posted or if scanned can be emailed. We seek.. the workshop, parts and operators manuals. Also anyone that would feel comfortable offering old machines that may be surplus to their requirements at modest prices pls contact me here or on stevebonnett at dodo dot com dot au I would like to make special thanks to Ralph in the US, Jim in Australia and Les in the UK for their selfless assistance. Best Regards Steve Bonnett .

HI, I wish you luck in your search, I was thrilled to pick one up in England a little while back, just a head, but had been looking for something in my price range for a long time. Please let us know how you get on and maybe some photos. I'm also looking for a manual for this machine if you come by one. Regards STeve

Hi Lori, old machines always look the part when doing traditional work, usually slow too, though modern machines can be slowed down. Machines like the Pearson no 6, Luberto #9 as mentioned above would be ideal for you.... they are slow, will sew 3/4" and simple to operate. Regards Steve

Hi Wiz, will do it long hand next time. I already get a lot of junk mail, however it comes in via my old website and some surveys that my wife has filled in. When scammers write, I ask for their mother's address and they never write back. Regards Steve

Thanks Wiz, I get a bit lazy sometimes, often I write it out long hand, but then sometimes people don't understand what it means. I s'pose I should be more vigiliant as I was a computer operator, analyst programmer, systems analyst and then over in England I had a computer company selling and repairing pcs, faxes, laser copiers etc.... I noticed over on another leather forum that the resident guys don't disguise their emails??? not sure why.... maybe they change them from time to time. Thanks again. Steve

er... is it the email address?? My address is freely available on my website, and ebay etc.. I get so much junk mail and scammers now... more couldn't make much difference. Can't see how to edit it anyway. Regards Steve

HI Ralph, morning here, nice and sunny. My email address is stevebonnett@dodo.com.au Yes would love the cyclone manuals, however I'd like to pay your costs, thats fair. Regards Steve

Hi Darren, sounds like we both have a Singer 42-5.... go forever and a day. Ralph of RoyalLeatherDesigns just sent me a photo of his new Campbell Cyclone, I'm so jealous. Steve

HI Tor, Thanks for that, I'll see if I can track down Bob, I've put requests on leather worker a few times for needles though and nobody has replied. I the manuals are for the Adler Durkopp 20 series. Regards STeve

HI Tor, no way am I going to remember all that information, but still I really enjoy reading your messages., your knowledge of these machines is fantastic. Did you see I put on the info re the manuals for the Adler 20 series if you dont have them? There seems to be a great variety of leather worker out there. A lot of people I deal with want slow machines like the Pearson no 6, they just wouldn't use anything else, and then others say that they are just too slow and go for the 441s and Adlers and Seikos. When you say these new machines are faster than the Seiko CH-8B I just wonder what sort of work you would be doing to do that speed..... as I would rarely even run a no 6 up to it max speed let alone a Seiko or 441. There is no doubt in my mind that machines that will sew over the inch (25mm) are in demand, I often have people asking for this ability, I have the Pearsons that will go up to an inch and the Singer 97s that will just top over the inch... all the other older machines that I am aware of.. Champions, Koch, Campbell-Randall, Union Lockstitch and so on wont go beyond about 3/4". Tor, do you have any contacts for big needles??? in particular the needles for Singer 97 and the Singer 7 class 1000 needle ?? I was told that Beiler's in Pennsylvania did the 97 needle, but I can't find an email address for them. Regards Steve

If anybody is needing one, we now have the Pearson Busmc No 6 rein rounder attachment and matching needle plate available. These are new items made of hardened steel, the blade in the needle plate is replaceable and the set comes with a handy instruction sheet. Regars Steve, stevebonnett at dodo dot com dot au

Hi, how did you go selling your machines? Let me know if the no 9 is still available. Regards Steve

We are now remanufacturing some parts for the Pearson no 6, Les is producing some Shuttle springs for me and in house we now offer new flywheel handles including the screw in bolt and new rein rounder attachments with matching needle plates.... prices are $35 and $390 respectively Australian. Get yours while the exchange rate favours overseas enthusiasts. Does anybody have the email address for Beiler's in Pennsylvania? I hear they sell Singer 97 needles.?? Regards Steve

HI Vincent, The manuals for the Adler/Durkopp 20 series can be a little hard to find, however here are the two that should help you, they are free, just download and print. http://www.duerkopp-adler.com/commons/download/download-text-attachments/Vintage_Parts_Books_Adler/20.pdf http://www.duerkopp-adler.com/commons/download/download-text-attachments/Vintage_Manuals_Adler/Manual_Adler_20.pdf Regards Steve

Hi, here are the Adler 20 series operator and parts manuals.... http://www.duerkopp-adler.com/commons/download/download-text-attachments/Vintage_Manuals_Adler/Manual_Adler_20.pdf http://www.duerkopp-adler.com/commons/download/download-text-attachments/Vintage_Parts_Books_Adler/20.pdf Regards Steve

HI Andrew, needle feed machines tend to have vibrating presser feet, ie the foot lifts slightly as the needle draws the material thru...at that time you can turn your work with ease even though you don't have a roller foot. I take your point though, I've not used a needle feed machine with a roller foot and wonder how it would go. With regards to a roller foot with multiple row feed dogs, that's not such a good setup as the extra row of teeth tend to want to keep the work flowing in a straight line.

thanks Peter, much appreciated. Steve

HI, well fancy me being first in to reply. My specialty is in the older machines, right back to the 1800s, these machines work well today and can look really brilliant in a workshop open to the public. However for normal and backroom sewing I'd go for one of the 441 clones, there are a few really knowledgable craftspeople and dealers on this site that will help out in that direction. Whilst there are literally dozens of walking foot and compound feed machines available, the 441 is instantly known in the business, has compound feed, reverse, small feet for small jobs and also will take on 3/4 inch thicknesses when required. So it will do your purses but not be overly challenged if you decide to go heavier. The machines have lots of attachments, a good range of feet and should be within your $3000 price range. Hope you do well. Regards Steve

With a little practice you can lift the foot, pull back a stitch and lock one thru, lift and pull back another stitch and lock one thru and so on, then to lock the whole lot in you could go forward again. If you weren't sewing leather, you could do what the motor trimmers and sailmakers do and simply lift the foot and run the machine as a darner and run the cloth back and forward as many times as you like.

HI Peter, yes its a good needle, would love to have it. Let me know if I can help you. Stephen Bonnett, 126 Booloongie Road, Gooburrum, Bundaberg, Qld, 4670 Regards Steve

This is my Adler-Kock 43-4 up the arm zig zag treadle machine, I've attached some photos to show the sort of quality that this company has produced in the past..... oops looks like I put in a foto of an Adler 5-27 as well

Hi Tor, so are you saying these new DAs are made in China to DA quality specs? Machines look nice, but maybe some of the ancillaries looked a bit Chinesie thin and looked like typical Chinese chrome work.... I hope DA is not going to produce a poor quality machine, if its in keeping with previous models with high quality metals and decent thicknesses of metal it will be a great thing. I would love to see one, if its quality is on a par with Seiko CH-8B and will sew thicker materials then I'm really pleased. Thanks for listing the videos.. really enjoyed them.. STeve