Cumberland Highpower

I kinda like the sound of this one. I haven't seen one in person, but sounds like it could be a good model for a little modification? The name Consew makes it sound 50 years newer!

I had 2 of those in the Classic version. They were ok/decent machines, but slow. I broke more needles on them than anything else. What do you mean jump foot with a spring?

Well, I have Seikos, Consews, Adlers, Brothers and a Nakajima that all take the 135x needle system. Half of those are triple feed. A jump foot can have the same external "footprint" of a triple feed inner and outer foot set, yet have over twice the actual surface area of either individual foot to spread pressure out on the work. If I had needle feed and a jump foot, I could just use a needle plate with a slot and eliminate the feed dog. It's just something I'd like to have. Not a necessity. Why not? Looks like the 44-9 isn't a needle feed after all. just looked it up.

Thanks for the replies men Looks like the 44-9 is pretty close. I'm dreaming of something like a downscaled Ferdinand 900B that takes a 135x16 needle. Could be cyl or post bed.

Is anyone familiar of a mid size machine that can take a 135x16/17 needle with a jump foot and needle feed? I'm thinking I'd like to have one for some really small fine work (don't want a wheel presser). Just a jump foot (a real jump foot) and needle feed only.

Yeah that was a pretty stupid part design in an otherwise fantastic machine. At least it was a good chance to tweak the feed dog height and centering.......

Well what's the harm in replying to a 10 yr old post? lol Is there a difference between the old and new boxy looking 335 in foot lift? I always just assumed it was the same machine more or less, just bloated and boxy w/bobbin winder to look more modern and sophisticated.

Northmount I got it resolved. I took about 3 hours today and looked it over/worked on it. The feed dog attaches to a plate that's dovetailed into another. The dovetail was adjustable for wear, but the screws (I thought I saw) that held the adjustable gib were on the backside. No access from anywhere outside of the machine. I had to remove the hook, and both of the feed dog motion shafts to get to the screws. I was a little surprised at the design, the adjustable gib was different from what's depicted in the manual/parts book that came with that machine.

LIK is probably right on value, at least here in the States. In Canada, it could be worth more? I've seen them sell in working condition anywhere from $200 to 2k. Amish are willing to pay top dollar, everyone else, not really. They're also not OSHA approved because they don't have a lockout or 2 hand safety switch like a modern clicker. There is an outfit that refits them to air, but they are slow and the conversion is too expensive if you're not Amish. lIK is also right about the double clicking issue and getting stuck. If you use one allot you'll become accustomed to it and learn to work around it. Might be what you need. I would not recommend one if you do much clicking though. I once bought a Reece Model A for $30 at an auction and on the way home I decided I didn't want it in my shop...Swung by the local scrap yard and offloaded it for $70!

A servo is probably a good thing if you're just starting out. I have clutch motors on most of my machines, and have even removed servos to re-install clutch motors. BUT that also is a factor of what I'm doing with them and I have allot of experience. I do have a couple servos and put one on a Seiko LSC. They're ISM and made in Taiwan. They're fantastic for the price. I wanted the needle positioner feature mostly. I bought one from the UK, college sewing I think? came in 220v. I'd recommend that option. If I remember right they were like $230? I really can't see letting a motor influence the machine you buy though? It's kinda like saying you're choosing between a Fiat and a Mercedes, but you're going to buy the Fiat because it comes with snow tires. You can change a motor just as easy as tires, lol

That's what it looks like. A wooden prop for the machine head. Some tables have these as a permanent fixture, some just a hole you stick that wood thing into. Just something for the head to lay against when you tip it back. Looks like that's what you have anyway. Maybe your table isn't outfitted for one?

Of those 2 I'd buy the Pfaff if it's not Chinese. 1245's are pretty good machines and would do anything you want. If you were to shop for a different machine I'd buy a Seiko LSC-8 or Pfaff 335 or something similar. (There are some made for binding, don't buy one of those) and use a flat bed table with it.

That looks great.

On my Consew 277r I noticed the feed dog mechanism is feeling loose. The dog and screw are new and tight w/locktite, but what it's bolted to is starting to feel sloppy. I took the covers off the end of the arm and looked it over. I cannot see any type of adjustment to take up the slop right away. I "think" i can see some screws on the back side of the slide plate but I cant really tell if that's what I'm looking at or not. The parts look pretty substantial, based on the size and hardness I can't imagine enough wear forming to cause the slop. Is there a way to adjust this out? Japanese machine, probably mid 1990s

I don't know "allot" about them either BlackDragon. Hartland Tannery used to produce some pretty good leathers and I often bought some lots from them. They were bought by Tasman out of KY a while back (They own other tanneries and brands such as Thoroughbred Leather) and then closed up During Covid. I know Acadia has the same address as the Hartland Tannery, and they're also a Tasman Brand. I guess they just use the warehouse there now? I don't know. I do know they truck leathers from Tasmans's tanneries in Mexico all the way to Maine. Some of the Mexican tanned leathers are a pretty close analog to the USA/Hartland stuff, but wonder if it's just a long term liquidation outlet for Tasman selling overruns/odd lots or an outlet for regularly made stock leathers? I have found what lots I've bought from them to be pretty clean and of a good quality.

I've often thought the future of manufacturing would be divided into 2 worlds: Highly advanced, fully automated manufacturing facilities, fully tooled and powered by the latest AI controlled machinery and the other world: Humanity, squatting in the dirt, beating rusted rails and salvaged wood/scraps into useful items of this or that......

A million dollar question-Selling! LOL You can make allot of belts in a day if you put your mind to it. Even old machines can pump them out. an experienced UL operator could stitch that belt, pattern including a hand layout with templates in likely under 5 mins. (Drive you nuts though after a day?) I'd guess the max thread that machine shown could handle is probably 207. I did see a CNC leather stitcher on youtube once not too long ago (Chinese made) that actually could articulate the head/needle to follow the direction of the stitch. That would be the machine to have for better quality work with heavier threads and different needles. I'll see if i can find the link and post it here.

I'm just curious. Is Acadia Leather wrapping up shop? I see they have a sitewide blowout sale and have cut back on the days they're open/ship. Dealt with them a bit over the years and the Hartland Tannery as well until it closed during Covid times. I've gotten some mixed signals from them about certain leathers lately and I'm guessing and just kinda wondering. Seems like they are just a clear up shop for odd stuff/overruns etc. these days Anyone know any gossip good or bad? I thought about asking a Tasman rep when I last called down there, but thought maybe best not to bring it up! Like I said, just curious. They've been pretty fair so far.

KGG I bet it will go pretty cheap unless they take online bids as well through something like Proxbid or allowing call in proxy bids. If it brings over $800 at an in person only local auction, I'd be somewhat surprised. Three sewing machines in the auction billing just isn't enough to bring in the right kind of bidders from afar. Hope they get what they need though.

You could make one for it (I think Randall-Campbell has one). It's all on one side of the machine. More "limited" than a 441? In general yes. They're primarily for Leather. I've sewn everything from real heavy skirting down to 2/3oz leather in wallets, PVC, Closed cell foam, rubber and even plastic. Randalls wont handle woven materials, the hook/needle will snag and either tear the fabric or break. I have sewn beta biothane on them, but had to modify things a little. They do make a beautiful stitch and are easy to use. But, if you want to do any nylon work or binding, they're entirely unsuitable. In leather they're a more capable machine than a 441 clone. You can do much finer work, much closer to edges, right up against molded work, and with larger thread than usual with better results. I once made a batch of mens wallets comprised of 2/3 and 3/4oz leather and stitched them entirely with 277 nylon. They came out looking fantastic. Try that on a 441! LOL. Hook and awl harness machines are really dinosaurs, but I like them. Nobody in the US has made a new one since before WW2 and they just keep rebuilding old ones over and over. Things have changed allot in industry over the past 70 years and I think the limited demand for these machines will fade away sooner than you think. Modern stitchers like the 441 are easier to train operators on, cheaper to buy, easier to maintain and more versatile. Stitch quality is inferior on leather, but it's close enough. In this gilded age of "Made in China" nobody remembers high quality work (or cares) and good enough is literally good enough! My point here (I rambled a bit) is if you want a Randall better get it now while parts/hooks/awls are available. The Randalls were all made over a century ago and I don't think they made that many in total. Not all survive today. 4 are sitting in my shop! lol. I doubt Randall-Campbell will make parts and service these machines 10-20 years from now even if they tell you today they will.

Thanks for the reply. That's probably a good useful machine, but I already have some of that class. I like the large handweel, looks handy. Probably worth $500-600 if it is in working condition. Is that hammer grey Seiko Paint or is it just really dirty Consew/Seiko white? The Union Special, probably no real value. Someone might buy it for the table or motor though. What is "Auction"? Are we talking about Ebay or some local auction house?

Osborne makes lots. Are/were there any Canadian made leatherworking tools?

I might be interested in the Ferdinand, just depends on the cost/model/location.

Ordered some #25TRI. Hopefully they'll work. Was looking at the hooks bobbin cases and hook retaining plates I have for it, some are marked A some B. the B hooks look like they might be for a larger diameter needle? Sound like I'm on the right track? It's a size R bobbin system.