Gump

Since I posted earlier about the deal I got on an Artisan 3200, I have come to realize that they have no interest in their customers after the sale. Their ad said this machine was able to sew down to 6oz, as with most 441 clones. What they didn't mention is that you have to purchase a $90us feed dog with a smaller hole than the one the machine ships with, as the hole is so big that the upper foot will almost fit in the feed dog hole. The machine was sewn off but that is it. If I was not mechanicaly inclined I would have been cursing. Gump.

Check out Cousins Material House in the UK. They have a good selection of watch strap buckles at good prices. Gump

Buckskin Leather in Alberta has a nice website, but I haven't ordered from them yet.

Well this should be a boom for the few Canadian suppliers. There is Buckskin Leathers out in Alberta, and Tundra Leather in Ont. and Moore-Pearsall in Ont.& Que.,(wholesale). Gump

Which model 111 w is it. A 111 w 155 is a full compound feed machine and it will sew 3/8" with 138 thread and like it. It does not have reverse, but does have a safety clutch, and is nearly indestructable. These usually go for $3-500 in working order. I have not used any of the others, but you can eliminate any that don't have a walking foot set up, as they will make you proficient at swearing. Gump

Just came from Tandy, N.S. store. After a 10% hike just before christmas, they are hitting us with another 20% across the board price hike on Monday. I guess I will have to look at mail order hides from out west and hardware from Ontario. Shame, because they were so convienient at only 25 mins. away. So if you fellow canucks need something from Tandy, get over to a store today or pay, pay,pay on Monday. Gump

No it is on a walking foot cyl. arm machine that will sew 3/8", and no speed reducer. Clutch motors are usually only 1/3 to1/2 hp., and because they are constant rpm, they use centrifugal force to maintain torque. Servo motors give better low rpm torque. Gump.

Servo motors make 100% of thier torque at startup and ramp down as rpm increases. It should have no problem running your machine with the existing reduction. If you add a speed reducer, you should have time to go to the house for a tea between stitches. I have a Sew Quiet 5000 with 4/5 hp on a 153 w 103, and it will sew a stitch at a time with a 2" pulley and no speed reducer. Also very smooth on acceleration with no modifications needed. Gump.

I like the ruby blades much better than steel, never tried ceramic though. I like the wide cut you get with the ruby, because it is ground to around 90 deg. I find I get too deep of a cut with the steel (although my steel blades were all used when I got them and may be ground too much), don't know what factory angle was. I have 3 rubies, all in perfect shape and they always stay sharp.

I agree totally. It gives a truer black than fiebings pro oil stain, no purple sheen. I have tried tan and medium brown also, and the colors come out much nicer when just rubbed on. Had to spray to get even finish without blotchy effect when using Fiebings.

I rebuilt my 29 k 71 when it kept skipping stitches because of side play in the needle bar. With a new revolving bushing and needle bar I had almost zero play, and no more skipped stitches. Both parts were equally worn. Gump.

You can use a rivet to hold the cup part on if looks aren't a problem. Personally I skive out a round hole and let the cup sit on its first lip. I find it gives a closer fit for belts and heavy cases. Gump

Check to make sure your needle is aligned at the right angle. Those needles should cut a 45 degree angle cut and they look rather flat across. And yes they are too large for the thread and leather as others have posted. Gump.

First problem is 138 thread is kinda big for a patcher, try 69 or 90 and you may have better luck. I had a worn out 29 k 71 and it would run 138 with coaxing. A machine that is still sort of tight may not have the clearance to pull 138 around the bobbin, thereby shearing the thread. Gump.

If you are snapping blades in mid cut, I would check to see if the blade is square to the handle. If your blade is causing a wedge effect on the leather, it will push it sideways and break the blade. I have "The Original" wooden strap cutter, and it will cut 12-14 oz. harness leather for fun. The tandy cutter is probably not square, handle and crossbars should be at 90 deg. I had one of the metal strap cutters from Tandy, and returned it after more than a year after ruining more straps than I managed to make.It was pure garbage, and I can't see how anybody can use that type of strap cutter period. But thats just my opinion based on the Tandy version. Gump.

Its definitely a rare machine, as ISMACs does not have any listing on it. You might want to contact them as they have the best info on Singers that I have come across, and they would probably be glad to have a pic and any info they could get. Gump.

I would return the tool to the seller and ask for a refund or replacement. I have several overstitch wheels and all are sharp. My stitching spacers are a flat star shaped wheels. Overstitchers are for setting your finished stitches and the one you have would be quite useless as there are no points to push the thread down into the holes. Gump.

Go with service after the sale, meaning Steve or Bob, not the crew at Artisan. No interest in their customers after the sale. Gump.

That appears to be just a clear coat on natural leather. It may have been lightly oiled first. If it is dyed, it would be custom dyed at the tannery and there isn't a hope in hell of matching it with out of the bottle dyes. Gump.

There is one old piece of iron that might do what you want to do, Singer 144 w 103. Will sew up to 3/4" with 346 thread, but it is a flatbed. Full compound feed. Someone was trying to move three of them on here recently. Parts are available and they can be set up to take 794 needles that are a lot easier to find. The bobbin holds a weeks worth of thread. I have the two needle version, 145 w 103 and can sew down to 6-8oz depending on the stiffness of the leather. Gump.

If you make a double collar with 10 oz vegtan, you will have to glue it formed round and that can't be sewn on a flatbed. That is just one quick example, if you have the option, go with the cyl. arm machine. You can add a flat bed, but can't make a cyl. out of a flatbed. IMHO Gump.

The letter(s) preceding the serial number usually refer to a certain time period, with the numbers in order of production. The letter in the model number is supposed to be production location. Gump.

You can try the pro waterstain as it is thick and doesn't bleed easily. I have had good luck with Tandys pro waterstain, using it undiluted and brushing it on like paint. Remove excess with damp rag. Gump

I have the 153 w 103, and it gets more use than any other machine I have. It is basicly the cylinder arm version of the 111 and takes the same feet. The one thing to watch for is the stitch length adjuster, as it has the one that screws into the end of the top shaft and is prone to breaking the threads on the shaft. Most parts are available, and my machine will adjust to under 5 spi. Max thickness around 3/8", and prefers 138 thread or smaller. Gump

Bigsmile; Cut your dye 50/50 with alcohol and spray on in light coats. I have tried to use other methods, but only end up with blotches or a way too dark tone. Metallic shene is from way to much dye. You can get a real nice purple with just a few light coats. The purple will darken quite a bit with age, even when clear coated. Gump