Trace

Hi Bob Thanks for the reply. I will check into the foot tension along with the others. It seemed to sew really nice at the store and I am trying to duplicate that. I will try to call Cobra Steve sometime Monday and see what he thinks as well. I will check into the LR needle and see what that's all about. Sounds like a good thing.

I have a new Cobra class 20 and have been having a problem with the bottom tension looking as nice as the top. Please see attached pictures of my stitch. The needle, thread and machine are less than a month old. Using 207 bonded nylon thread top and bottom with a 135X16 size 23 needle. I have tried multiple adjustments, rethreads and nothing seems to make it better. The leather thickness doesn't seem to be playing a part either. I also tried 207 top and 138 on the bottom and it looked worse. I just assumed for that time it was needle punching a bigger hole than needed for the 138.

Thanks again Cowboy Bob. I will check into that. Have a great weekend!

Any recommendations on what would be the best fishing boat for my clearly visible boat anchor? I like your description but somehow I got to rig this thing up so I can at least justify to my better half I did the right thing. She doesn't like to fish.....

The concept of unobtainium is often applied flippantly or humorously. For instance, unobtainium is described as being stronger than helium, and lighter than air. They must be some damned good needles. ;} Hopefully I can have the same luck as you did. I have about 6 or 7 boxes of 100 needles (each box a different size) He had 6 machines all different. Maybe I can get something to work.

Dikman Thanks for the information. I'm not sure where to get the needles at. The manual says 16 X 44 and sizes 14 - 25 for leather. I don't know if they changed the part number or what? I can't seem to find that part. I just want to make sure I am getting the correct needle.

Wishful Thanks for the info, I will check this out.

Thanks Cowboy Bob for the reply. Do you have any suggestions on the 16-188 machine? It was sewing fine until I changed the needle. This guy had boxes of needles but I couldn't find one that was exactly the same as the one I took out. It was about the same length but maybe just a little bigger around but not much.

I recently purchased a Singer 16-188 and 1300-1 industrial sewing machines from an estate sale. The owner had an upholstery business and had passed away. I got both machines, one table with a clutch motor and a lot of parts that don’t necessarily go to either machine. I have just under $300 in the purchase and felt that it was worth the money. I wanted to use them for light leather work and both seem to sew pretty well. The 16-188 has a walking foot and the other a straight sewing machine. The problem that I am having is the 1300-1 was balling up on the bottom side. (I am mainly turning this one by hand). I tightened the upper tension and made sure the needle was completely up and locked then is started working a lot better. Tonight when I tried it, it started balling up again. On the 16-188 I changed the needle (it was a little shorter) and it wouldn’t pick up the tread and was just poking holes. I put another one, different size and it was doing the same thing. I found one in the treasures that was the same length but was a little bigger and it started out ok then started getting caught somewhere and it was fraying the thread at the needle eye. That is when I decided to give it up this evening. This is the first machine that I have used and have been hand stitching for over a year now. I was thinking for the money this might speed things up and give me more options. Not sure where to go from here. Maybe I have two expensive boat anchors. Any advice would be very appreciated no matter how much it hurts. Thank you

Thanks, I will check this out

That is a great idea. Sorry I took so long to reply. Been away for a while

Thanks to you both. I had a feeling that was what I should have done after I started doing it.

I hand stitched my first ever leather project and I can't help but get some wax on my hands which in turn gets on the leather. Is this going to effect the leather when I antique the piece? Is there a way to clean it or is not an issue. Maybe antique first then stitch? Thanks