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

VMI; I had the same problem with needles for my 145 Singer, so I just raised my needle bar and went with 794 needles, which are readily available because they fit the 441 clones. Gump.

Hi All; Found this tool in a box of shoemakers supplies I purchased cheap,[can't pass up a bargain, need it or not]. There is no name or makers mark on it, and I was told it is used for trimming shoe soles. Any ideas ? Also have set of pliers that look like they are for setting staples. Gump.

The needles listed for your machine should be 126x9. This info is from ISMACS. Gump

I have found that redsheet, a dense red rubber works well for both punching and cutting. I use 1/4 inch ,and it is quite cheap. Should be available at any industrial rubber supplier. Surface is slightly textured and glossy ,resists stain pretty well if wiped off while still wet. Gump

Hi yuliya; You will need sides of oiled latigo as backs will not be long enough. It is hard to get even sides in that length. I use 9-10 oz, and you could tow a car with it. A #2 edge beveler works fine for rounding the edges. Never heard of belt latigo, but regular latigo is waxy and stands up to weather very well. Gump.

Spurdude; An old patcher can only use size 92 thread max. With an 18 needle you will find that size 69 thread will work fine. I like a size 20 to run 92 thread. You can use 138 thread on top but it can cause binding around the bobbin. Gump.

Hi folks; what I see here is known as a soldering station, there are literaly hundreds of models in various wattages. Some are quite cheap,< $ 100. The only problem might be getting the proper tips for what you want. But if you had one that took inserted tips you could probably cut off tools and insert into handle, as there must be a set screw or retainer of some sort that holds the soldering tips in place. I have seen similar irons at a electronics store I go to on occcasion, but never thought of this use for it. Will check this out next time I get in to this store. Gump.

There is a modified stand alone bobbin winder on e-bay under industrial sewing that could be exactly what your looking for. It is powered by a domestic machine motor. Currently at $15.50. Gump.

Bigfoot; I recently put a 5000 on my singer 153, with the 90mm pulley and i wish I had gotten the 50mm pulley. Motor is plenty powerful, but the initial start is a little jumpy if you don't handwheel it a little. A 153 is a cylinder arm ,compound feed machine similar in capabilities to yours. So yes, go with the 5000 with the small pulley and you should be happy with the performance. And as Gottaknow said it is also all the motor you will need for a larger machine if you ever upgrade. Gump.

Seth; I use a piece of dense styrofoam insulation under my work and find it easier to go straight through the leather and hit the groove on the backside. The styrofoam is dense enough to hold the leather flat, but very easy to puncture. Gump.

Thanks Wiz, I'll check Bob out. Gump

Hi Folks; I must be crazy, as I just bought my 6th singer, a 132k6. Now what I need is someone who can sell me bobbins and leather needles. I have no problem finding needles for my other machines, but I don't know where to look for 216 x 1 needles. My stable includes 111w155-7, 29k71, 145w103, 153k103 and a 195k5 for sewing light liners etc. Now if only I could figure out how to make money with them,LOL. Gump.

Grizz; There are two small hooks on the base on either side of the arm. If you screw two L brackets to a piece of plywood that you have cut out so that it fits around the arm, they will hook on the machine hooks. The other end just needs a leg that will sit in the odd looking notch in the left end of the base. A strip of belt leather screwed to the underside of the plywood, close to the hooks, and going under the arm will keep it from kicking up at the base of the machine. I put a hinge on the leg so I could slip the table on and then flip leg down and into notch in base. Works for me, good luck. Gump.

Hi all, Had the same questions about different points their effect on stitch looks. The best info i found was on at Groz-Beckertt.com. They have a downloadable pdf that is an excelent reference guide to needle points and their effects. Gump.

As a fellow Canuck I would suggest Tandy Leather as a start for your hardware, although most stuff is made from brass and chrome plated or just chrome plated steel. As for thread I would check out Raphael's, a member of LW.net. Very helpful people.

There is another solution, you hook capacitors to the third leg and it tricks the motor into thinking it has proper load. Please check with an industrial electrician for proper capacitor ratings. I have seen this used for machine lathes up to 5 hp. No drop in power. Gump.

You got tunes, what else matters?.

Best comic relief I've had in months. I also have picked our local Frenchy's,[ used discount clothing] for leather jackets, you can make nice bags out of them, using pockets up front and belts for shoulder straps. The customer can't tell the diff between recycled and new, and I don't think it matters. IMHO Gump.

I have been using Fiebings Pro black for 20+ yrs. and my main problem has always been over doing it. I find that one well saturated coat will leave some gray areas that look like they need more dye,not so, let it dry then buff and voila, a nice even black finish with no bleed problems. But Sylvia is right, an airbrush or mini cup gun is the answer. Gump.

Well, I don't know this machine, but if it is not a walking foot machine you will be disappointed. I tried every trick I could think of to sew garment leather on a normal straight stitch machine and could not stop the top layer from sticking on the presser foot and stretching to the point I would be off an inch in ten inches. Or the bottom layer would pucker up from the pull of the feed dogs. You should be able to pick up a used 111 singer for about the same price. Consew also made some similar walking foot machines. Gump.

Hi Folks; Does anyone know a supplier who has 3/4" bar snaps for sale. I am willing to purchase 1000 just to get them. Thanks Gump.

You can also find them in eyeglass repair kits, really cheap at most drugstores. Come with tools usually. foureyed Gump.

Not 10 mins. after my previous post, I find a picture of a ruby edge swivel knife on Usedleathertools.com's homepage. It has a straight blade, mine is angled. Gump.

Shotgunwillie was close. This tool is a chain breaker, probably light like bicycle chain or lighter.