Anne Bonnys Locker

Great machine - just no good for what you want to do with it. As a part of you machine collection it will be invaluable (if it works properly) so don't get rid of it. Every proper leather shop has a range of machines and a 29 is always found in the best of them.

I tend to get caught up in lovely technical solutions to problems. Your suggestion reminds me of the story of the truck carrying a tractor that got stuck under a bridge. A ten year old bystander asks "why are they letting the air out of the truck tyres?" A nearby adult pats him patronizingly on the head and says "So the load can clear the overpass sonny". Ten year old replies " Well why not let the air out of the tractor tyres?"

Have you tried any of the dealers here? I had a quick search on the net and had no trouble finding a supplier of ten packs.

It could be done and probably has but I would start with a machine that was designed to use a needle similar in size to the awl as the 111 was not really designed for the needle bar loads you are going to place on it. Something like a 45k25 is probably a better place to start.

I would be inclined to forget about the zig-zag function.

There seems to be a huge misconception about thread. Thread should always give way before the base material as it is easier to replace stitching than make a whole new item. Even with a law enforcement holster in the very unlikely event the stitching gives way then the weapon can still be drawn. If the leather comes apart at the stitching then there are complete loops of stitch just sitting there waiting to grab the front sight. If your holster comes apart then it is more to do with poor design and manufacture than the weight of thread you used. On top of that I would argue that this "thread" is going to destroy both your upper and lower thread path. Recently I had a customer wanting to use something similar in one of my machines but I will not make a sale to him as there will be all sorts of technical problems down the track.

Love the way you work Eric, Every machine owner needs to know how to set the machine up to do what they want. I find that the few "mechanics" (and that is a very broad term) in Australia want to keep secret the workings of machines. Considering that there has not been any traineeship in mechanics here for over 20 years this is a joke.

Around the world a small number of smart companies are starting to get the idea that not everybody wants to buy the cheapest rubbish out there. There are companies in the West that have gone back to local production of high quality goods and charge accordingly and I suspect that in the long term they will survive because they are not trying to compete on minimum margin. We all remember when we could buy a pair of "name brand" boots or jeans and they lasted 10 years of daily wear. Today the same product is the same price and lasts two years at most. I do most of my shopping in thrift shops unless I have the dollars to get something very well made. It is time for me to visit Roccos in Melbourne to buy some hand made boots as the last two pair are stuffed after 6 years of everyday wear. These babies cost me $50 pair for one off boots and have been through all sorts of abuse. A $50 pair of imported ankle high boots for the same price would not have lasted 6 months. Always remember when buying something the "price" and "cost" are two very different beasts.

Upholstery leather tends to be very soft and stretches something terrible. As you get closer to Aniline type, the worse it gets so get some samples and have a play before making any decision. Semi Aniline leather would probably make very good Journal covers etc but it will stretch too much for most other things.

I was going to suggest a fly press. Look up second hand machinery dealers - there are still a couple in Sydney. Try Hafco Machinery for a new one.

There often post here about problems with specific machines. Please, always go back to the guy you bought the machine from as he is going to be most knowledgeable about your particular setup and problem.

I am not going to say anything about 90% of problems being the nut holding the job Not the issue here. If too much belt tension on the motor is causing noise then the bearing could be shot but check everything else first as the motor is not heavily loaded for this application. I recently looked at a machine where the speed reduction pulley had a pronounced wobble but this was a one-off that is very rare. Thousands of parts go into making a sewing machine/motor/stand and even a $0.01 spring can cause it to all go wrong.

Curved nose embroidery clippers are great for this. On the one hand prefer to do any job without loosening a screw but on the other I would like to see a machine user come to terms with pulling that baby apart and being absolutely comfortable putting it back together and retiming it. The more you learn about how that baby works, the better!

Martin, there are two possible problems here. If you have a genuine Juki then it is most likely that the feet are badly cast - a common problem. OTOH if the machine is a clone then the presser foot bar may be poorly machined. Buy parts from a dealer who will rectify the problem.

No, Worse I like to oil them first then soak in kero. After a time I refresh with a mix of 50/50 kero and oil.

Why is it I hear of so many people having a problem only after the machine is "serviced?

I do not know what consumer laws are like in the USA but here in Australia it comes down to "goods must be fit and proper for the purpose for which they are sold". Myself, I would have suggested a Pfaff 30.

As a dealer I imported a couple of this type of machine to experiment with and only sold them after significant modification. Leather sewing is not something I would even consider using them for and to be honest I see very few applications for them.

Make sure that the screws holding the presser feet in place are tight. As the outer presser foot assembly is only pressed metal they can bend out of shape and then be out of alignment with the feed dogs. If the machine is new then take it back to the dealer and ask for it to be repaired WHILE YOU ARE THERE! Do not be fobbed off.

My business partner has a 206RB and loves it. I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about this style of machine so I am not sure what you are hoping to achieve by getting rid of it. The only option I can think of would be something like a 31k47 (31k48 with reverse) alternating presser foot machine running the 150W domestic motor and mounted in a portable base. Maybe a Singer 17 would be a few pounds lighter.

I am now the proud owner of a Pearson A1 head and that is always a good thing. The bad news is that it has been sitting in a shed for decades and in in very poor condition

How many stitches to the inch you get with that baby?

Once you get used to any sort of industrial machine you wonder how the hell you ever managed on a domestic!