Gump

As an after thought, I have 7 Schmetz size 23 bp needles I will send you if you are interested in sending an envelope to me that I can just drop into the mail back to you. Pm me if interested as I have no use for them as I converted my 145 w 103 because of availability and selection. Gump.

If you can raise your needle bar about 1/4" you can use 794 / DYx3. they have the same shank diameter and are readily available from all of our sponsor dealers on LW.net. Gump

If you are purchasing a made in US machine there is no duty, but you will pay GST and brokerage fees. If you are buying new, they are almost all made in asia and subject to duty. It is cheaper in the long run to buy the equivalent machine from a Canadian dealer who will offer good support, because shipping a machine back and forth to the states for service can be a real hassle. I brought in a used Singer from the states and it cost me $ 450 on a $ 950 machine with exchange at about what it is now. Besides, it's good to shop at home. Gump

About the only thing about these clutches is that they have to be parralell and concentric, ie lined up top and bottom and side to side. If it runs smooth with no jumping or vibration, leave it alone and it will probably outlast the machine. Gump

If your machine has the blank plate on front, then it can be converted with the drive shaft assembly. You also have to take the bobbin winder off and move it to the front position also. Gump

Well, I have read all different bits of info on this and recommendations from size 27 down to size 22, but I prefer 22 for soft thick chap leather, and 24 for vegtan. I run most everything up to 3/8" on my 153 K 103 , although 207 is its upper limit on top. Gump.

brigidko; If that tachsew will do the job, then you should look for a singer 111/211 -155, they sell for $ 300 and up and are what the tachsew were cloned off.Might as well have the original as all parts are readily available and relatively cheap. Also these are some of the toughest machines ever made and many are in service after 50 years. Gump.

Jim; Tex 70 is ideal for use in a patcher, and they will handle 92 also. Gump

Thanks for the info. Kelly Midas has some really unique tools, to bad they are halfway around the world. Gump.

Does anyone know if Midas tools are available anymore? I tried to google them but they don't have a website.I have a Midas head knife, and it really holds an edge, although it is crudely made. Gump

You can also try low temp plastic pellets. They can be melted with hot water and molded to any shape. They are available at craft stores and in Canada at Princess Auto. You might find them at Harbour Freight stateside. My problem was with my swivel knives cramping my hand, and I just wrapped a piece of 10 oz vegtan around it and stitched it up tight. Gump

This machine has 1" presser foot lift, but it is to heavy for what you want to do. try looking for a Singer 112 or 212 triple feed machine. Consew makes similar machines also designed for upholstery. Either machine will handle up to 138 thread and about 3/8" thickness. Gump.

How "heavy duty" are you looking for ? I have a 145w103 with a 3/8" spacing, capable of sewing 3/4" thick. I have changed the needles to the 794 system as they are much more readily available than the old 7 x 23 system. Gump

Thanks, can't buy them at Tandy and there is no one else in Canada that I could find. Gump

Does anyone know where I can buy an 1 1/4" english point strap end punch ? I currently use an 1 1/2 punch but don't like the effect, it is to blunt. Gump

Your cheapest alternative is wet/dry silicon paper. It can be had in grits from 100 to 400 in most hardware stores. I use it on a sheet of heavy tempered glass to keep the surface flat. It will polish your edge to a shine when used wet. You can also get crocus cloth in grits finer than 1000 for true mirror finish. Gump

I have a 132 K 6 and it will sew about 1/2 inch of vegtan easily with 277 and stitch length is almost 1/2 inch long. I get some tracks on the bottom, but not real bad. It also has a massive bobbin good for about a week of sewing, well not that big but bigger than most. Needles are available up to size 27, and I was told it would handle 346 on top. Works good for me. Gump.

Jeremy to be honest I have only run 2 layers of 8 oz veg tan and it good on straight runs but for real tight corners I still handwheel a little for more control. I usually use my 132k6 for sheaths and holsters with a welt because I can run up to 346 on it. I mostly sew 2-3 layers of 4 oz oiltan on the 153, and it is like sewing cotton, perfect control and lots of torque. Gump

Jeremy, I put a 2" pulley on it and set at 500 rpm it will start slow and smooth and i can go stitch by stitch and stop with the needle up or down as needed. I like it !!. Gump

It is basicly the same machine except it has full compound feed, needle, upper and lower feed. A very good machine for most anything up to 3/8", but very fast with clutch motor, so a servo is a must have for leather work. Gump.

After reading several posts on dremmel burnishers I decided to make my own. I simply took a piece of 3/4" hardwood dowel and drilled a 1/4" hole in the center of it and put it on the 1/4" sanding drum arbor and took a chainsaw file and cut my groove with it. And yes wider by 2 works better than exact size. As they are easy and super cheap to make, I have as many sizes as I need and can change them in seconds.If they vibrate I simply take a flat file and true them up by running lightly over the file. If i get wax build up I just take 120 garnet paper and sand lightly, removing just the wax while trying not to remove any wood, works decent. With this method you can custom make widths up to 3/4" in a matter of ten mins. I just use maple doweling as it is not an oily wood like rosewood or cocobolo and heats the beeswax really quickly for good melt in without burning. Gump.

Check out parts.singerco.com/IPpartCharts/ everything you need will be there. Gump.

I purchased a touch - up paint gun, about a 4 oz. resovoir hold enough dye to do 4-6 belts at once. Cost $25 and will run fiebings with no problem. I have a Paasche high end airbrush but it is to fussy to use and hard to keep clean and the siphon jars are a nuisance. JMO Gump

Wiz; I have the Craftool conversion charts and they don't list any tools period with those numbers. I just finished cataloging my tools [272] and there are none with those numbers. But I have 13 tools that are not on the list either, although 11 of them are craftool with a 4 number designation and are anodized steel. I have 2 , z609 and z610 also not listed. Most of my tools were purchased in the 70s, so the ones your looking for may be older yet. Best of luck Gump.

Wiz; I recently got a pair of staple pliers that take staples 1/4" wide with a diameter of about .045" and over 1/2" long. I don't know if they are what you are looking for or not, but I posted a pic on the tools section recently, looking for identification. It is posted as shoemakers tools?. If they aren't what you are looking for, maybe you could give me more info on them. Thanks Gump