Constabulary

But that does not mean that there can´t be a bad lot of thread or needles. "Cobra" does not procure the machines, threads or needles itself. It is just a brand name they use. Some Cobras may have a different color but most likely all the modern machines such as Cobra, Techsew, Cowboy... you name it... are basically the same and I would assume they come from the same factory in China or somewhere in Asia. No clue where the thread comes from but you can make an educated guess... Don´t get me wrong - all the above mentioned brands sell for sure good machines and products but that does not mean that there isn`t a bad lot. Also, Singer did not produce their own needles (at least in Germany). As far as I know Singer needles came from SFN Needles or Rhein Needles in Germany. I personally figured that SCHMETZ needles work much better (same size with same thread) than the odd brand needles I got with my machine (Singer 111G156 - bought it used and restored it). I have thrown them all away (about 50-60 needles) because I don´t wanted to mix them up with my SCHMETZ Needles. For some repairs I´m even using 40 - 70 years old military cotton thread and with the SCHMETZ needles it works perfect but I had issued with original (!!!) Singer needles or odd Chinese needles like "white egret" or so. BTW - I had needles from white egret and there were different size needles inside the package that mentioned on the label on the outside... so WTF... I no longer buy them. It´s a waste of money in my opinion. Maybe try some thread from www.abbeyengland.com or from another supplier. I thinks its worth to give it a try.

I´d probably try a different thread brand and maybe a thicker needle. What needle brand are you using? SCHMETZ is highly recommended. Do you pull the thread over the little hook in the tension assembly? If not - make sure you do it! Have you tried to give the thread take up spring a bit more tension?

What an awesome old style speed reducer!!! I like it very much!!! But sorry I can´t help.

Most likely it is just the needle bar that has to be adjusted a tiny bit. Thats not a big issue. An other member had such an issue recently. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=56107 Yours could probably be the same problem. The screw should be the same as at the Singer 111. The screw is a bit hidden behind the frame but it is there just turn the hand wheel until you can see the screw head in the gap - see picture. Loosen it and adjust the needle bar the way that the hook meet the needle withing the scarf about 1.6mm above the eye. Most likely this solves the problem.

Some pictures may help.

Well, their shuttle carrier + shuttle hook are actually made by TOWA. They mentioned it in the description so I think the other parts will be of good quality too but you never know as long as they do not mention the manufacturer or you have tried the parts.

I also like to know how it sews when I´m done Well, the machine was a barn find more or less and not very expensive. So it wouldn´t be a big loss if I had ruined it. And I always like to learn what is going on in the machines I´m using so I can help my self (most of the times) when something is wrong with it. Taking it apart was quite easy but I did not dare to remove the upper shaft - "a voice" said don´t do it! Every single part has its place, there is no part that fits somewhere else so it was an quite easy task to reassemble it. It´s really a very simple machine!!! Adjusting it is a different story. I know it is out of time but I have a manual already so I think I can do it. So far the feeding looks good but w/o the needle bar it makes no sense to do adjustments until I have all parts. A friend did the Singer logos for me. They are water slide decals and can be over painted with clear lacquer to protect them. He asked just 5€ for a set of two. They look even better when you have applied a clear lacquer. I ordered a few more just for the case I damage them but they are sturdy and It was easy to apply them. So I have 2 more - if you want them drop me a PN. College Sewing in the UK has all the parts I need for a reasonable price. So I think will order all parts from them, I think. But I will check Ebay too.

The complete + correct procedure should be mentioned in the manual. A quick fix could be just moving the needle bar a little bit up or down (if the hook gears are all tight). The hook should meet the needle withing the scarf about 1.6mm above the eye.

can´t help but thats one reason why I like my old Singer 111 so much - it has a dial with SPI markings.

@ the moderators Thanks for correcting my spelling

I made some progress already but I have to order some parts which are either rusted or just messed up

I finally found a cobbler machine with a short arm - not easy to find over here. Just paid 40€ but it needs a general overhaul but thats what I expected. One of the former owners messed up the needle bar... So here are some pictures of my restoration:

I will keep that in mind - but I will try a servo motor + speed reducer first as I don´t like the idea of a permanently running clutch motor. But always good to see how others have solved their motor problems. Thumbs up!

You are welcome. Historical value is a totally different thing. I like the story - really! Keeping a part of history from a long gone company is always a nice idea. Especially when you personally have worked for that company. I like vintage Singer machines very much. They of course do not have a story like your machine (not that I know of) but for me they have that certain something. And I like to keep hem alive or bring them to live again.

awesome - I like it! Do you have only the roller guide or a straight guide as well?

THIS machine in particular may have a special value for you due to its history but I think no one will pay extra for just the story. You know what I mean? Don´t get me wrong, I absolutely understand you. But there are many of them out there, probably not CLAES but Singer 29K and Adler 30 are wide spread. As I said before they are all the same type of machine. I personally would not pay more tan 100 - 300 (maybe a more when it comes from a dealer and it has a warranty). But it depends on the condition and features that the machine probably has, such as higher foot lift (like the Adler 30-7). The problem is getting parts for the CLAES machine as it is no longer in production. Importing parts from Germany - if available at all - may cost an arm and leg. But MAYBE some Singer 29K and Adler 30-1 parts will fit but you have to find out in a trial and error or someone else can tell you for sure. Maybe you can ask PILGRIM if this machine can use Adler or Singer parts. They should know it. Regarding the paint - not matter if you like the color or not - as long as it is the original color and has just some chips here an there and is not rusted or so I would leave it as it is. Just my 2 cents

I have no clue what the frequeze converter does and how it works with a clutch motor... Does it slow fown the speed and how can you control it? Can someone explain it to me in plain english? Trox - can you post pictures of your setup?

I haven´t seen either one personally but this one looks good to me http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kantenlineal-fur-alle-Dreifachtransport-Maschine-/221438341576?pt=Alte_Berufe&hash=item338ec0f1c8 The one form Kwokhing is $65 shipped (in case Kwokhing has not risen their prices.) and you probably have to pay taxes + 19% UST when it stops at the customs so it would cost about 55-58€ The one in Germany is 79€ and you don´t have to drive to the customs offcie and pick it up (just in case) + you have a 2 years warranty. And if you are a running a business you can discount the 19% taxes so it would cost 64€ w/o taxes. No matter what - for just 20€ I don´t take the pain to order in China. Just my 2 cents

Very interesting thread! So no matter which servo motor you have it seems a speed reducer in addition is always your friend.

CLAES is an no longer existing Company. They were located in the former GDR (East Germany). But maybe the Company CL Maschinenbau can help you as they use the brand name CLAES and are still manufacturing this type of sewing machines: http://www.cl-maschinenbau.com/produkte/kl8346.php?&lan=eng&img=4 BTW Google translational is nice but remember that the grammar may not be correct and in some cases a translated sentence does nor make sense. English and German grammar is different! Well from the first view the machine looks still very nice do you really want to restore / repaint it? I would leave it the way it is. Most of operator manual for Singer 29K or Adler 30 should help you. The machines are all the same type but may have some technical differences but basically they are quite the same.

Both are no beauties but I think you don´t care and you just need "something to sew with". I´d go for the gray singer 211 as it is set up with table and motor - so just plug an play (as it seems). But maybe it needs some adjustment. If the seller lives close to you visit him and test the machine. The Singer 111 does not have a motor and table as it seem and the presser foot is missing (as I can tell from the pictures) and needs a lot of work in advance. This is a restoration object I´d say.

Which machine do you have? How thick is the thread (size)? What needle size have you tried? Do you sew 1 layer, 2 layers 3 layers... Here is a chart from Tandy Leather http://d31snyb1jsf9xb.cloudfront.net/services/image.aspx/media/images-misc/ThicknessConversion.png-600x

take some pictures and post them, maybe one can help when he sees what is going on.

Hey Floppy, I´m grom Germany too. You can find them here: http://www.rimgm.de/shop/PFAFF/PFAFF-145-245-335-545-1245/Kantenlineal-hochschwenkbar.html?listtype=search&searchparam=kantenlineal or even on Ebay http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kantenlineal-fur-alle-Leder-Sattlermaschinen-/221433119437?pt=Alte_Berufe&hash=item338e7142cd http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kantenlineal-fur-alle-Dreifachtransport-Maschine-/221438341576?pt=Alte_Berufe&hash=item338ec0f1c8

ha ha - you got it!! I saw it on ebay but forgot to bid! Good luck with it! :-)