Constabulary

I´d say they are all about the same class and have the same performance. Maybe one or two may have a higher foot lift but 2x 5oz are no problem for either machine. But the foot lift is probably something you should consider for future projects. So if I were in your position I'd consider the price and the availability for parts and accessories. So my choice would be the Consew 226. But you should also check the motors. Do the machines have a clutch or servo motor? The speed of the clutch motors is not easy co control (most of the times) - they alway run at top speed and the speed of your machine can be controlled only by how much pressure you give on the clutch via your pedal. And that could be tricky, sometimes there is just a 1/10 of an inch between no speed and full speed. but they have a good torque. At servo motor you can regulate the top speed by just tuning a knob. Servo motors are more energy efficient as well. But they loose torque when you slow them down.

I just went through some older needles of my Adler 4 and found a monster. Its a 328 system needle made by Leo Lammertz. The lower part is even thicker than the part that goes into the needle bar. The thickest part is 3mm !!! It´s marked with a size11 but size 11 is neither a metric nor a US size, right?

What kind of machine are you looking for? I have an Adler 4-2 if you are interested (machine only).

I have a manual for the 31K which is the same machine as far as I know. I also have a parts list with a lot of sewing accessories or attachments but the file is 4MB so I cannot upload it here. Send me a PM with your email address if you want it. 31K.pdf

This seems to be the regular walking foot set that comes with the machine. Looks not wrong to me. Not sure what you expected but you know that the machine has a walking foot, right?

If a 250W motor works depends on what you want to sew with your machine. Not sure in which part of the World you are living but if you live in the US I´d consider if Minerva has an "outpost" in the US at all since it is a Czech Company. As far as I know nowadays it belongs to Durkopp Adler so you "may" get parts from them. Anyway - I would first check if you can get any parts or accessories for the machine in your country or the WWW. If not, guess what I would do. It´s hard enough to find parts for older "western hemisphere" machines but I cannot imagine how the station is for older "eastern hemisphere" machines. In the 1990´s and before Minervas were mostly delivered to the former USSR and the former "communist block" or their satellite states. I personally would not buy any of them. But that is a personal attitude and has nothing to do with the quality of their machines.

I just shot a Durkopp 252 on Ebay for a bargain. Just the slide plate and presser foot are missing. I know its an old machine and parts for this machine are not wide spread. But I figured the 252 is "optical" quite similar to the Singer 107W or 143W. So I wonder if the slide plate of the Singers could fit for the Durkopp as well. Maybe someone can give me a measurement of the Singer 107 / 143 slide plate (in millimeters if possible). I don´t have the machine here yet but good to know in advance. I assume the Singer presser feet will fit but don´t know for sure so if someone knows both the Singer + Durkopp a small hint would be nice.

HOLY COW !!!!!!!

Ralph, I have two wax / lube pots for an Adler 4 / 5 they may fit for the Singer as well. Any interest? I can send some pictures if you want.

This is not "my machine" but I googled for the needle size 97x3 and figured the US Military used them and in a list Groz-Beckert is mentioned as a manufacturer http://www.parttarget.com/Singer-Co-The_nsn-parts_97X3-28_233744.html I also have found a dealer in the CZ republic who stocks them: http://www.pjnovak.cz/spitze-rg-97x3-c-1_4_112_439_470.html?language=en Also found this dealer in the US who seems to have them: http://www.goldbergsupply.com/singer-needles/ Should not be too hard to get them...

Hey Littlewind - where are you from? I might be interested in your roller foot if you want to get rid of it. I also have one or two regular sewing foots for the 45K. Furthermore I have an Adler 4-2 flat bed sewing machine without motor and without table. Just for the case you would be interested and if you live in Europe shipping wont be a problem. Needle size could also be 328 or DD-1 which are actually the same but with a different nomenclature.

AWESOME -that really helps me. Even a quite known brand (for me). I didn`t even know that this company still exists. I meanwhile found the buckles at the Allbest website but their website is a real pain.

I exactly need this buckle for 1.5" wide straps http://nationalwebbi..._63185_zoom.jpg but I only find them nickel plated but I need them with a black coating. Painting them black is not an option. I could use about 50 - 100 (maybe more, it depends on the price) Can someone point me to a shop or supplier or who ever has them in stock.

What about the ENDURO motors? I read that some members modified them to slow down the starting speed. http://endurosaves.com/ Seems there are motors with even 1400W power and they have mentioned the amount of torque in their descriptions.

Seems I better drop the idea - but thanks for sharing your experiences!

I emailed Bob and asked for a 220V variant, he said the 550GR is no longer available. I hope he does not mind that I post his answer email here:

Right, thats how I did it some times but I thought a bar tacker would do a better job.

but in the picture they for sure make bar tacks. This is a WWII picture where they put bar tack on helmet chin straps. So seems there was one with a bar tack setup.

Can someone ID this bar tacker - Is it a Singer?

I´m not sure but I think this tack has more than 42 stitches. So this is what i "wish" to produce with a bat bar tacker...

I need some quite dense stitched tacks so that why I ask. It´s a certain tack I need not just a technical tack. I will post pictures soon.

Have you tested it already? What kind of tacks makes it? I´m also thinking of buying one ....

seems to be a Pfaff 141 - also a good machine.

The lamp is not important, I may find one in Germany too. This one could be interesting for you as well - just 230Km from Brussels http://www.ebay.de/itm/331038167236 Just to give you another option...

cool - so I´ll send you the leather needles if you want them.