joeyrsmith

Good morning. Still learning this 211g. Fixed my saftey clutch/stitch problem I think. Working and sewing fine this morning with proper motion from what I can tell. After lifting machine and hank cranking a bunch of times to see how it all works I concentrated on the hook going by the needle. In the beginning I could have sworn that the the needle was on a downward movement when the hook came by to catch the thread. But this was not really studying it hard. Just at a glance. Now after some issues that you all helped me with I noticed late last night that the needle is all the way down and on the upward path the hook needle guard comes by and I would say that it does barely, just barely touch the needle then the hook comes by and grabs thread. I would say that it must be 1/64 or less. Maybe a human hair when they touch. Is there a video or diagram on this movement. My manual talks about a ton of adjustments but nothing on this movement. Thx again gang. Joey

CD, using the manual, I am pressing the button one the deck. It says to wait until it drops then turn until stitch length is set. Lifting machine I see it the pin drops into a cutout on a wheel which keeps the hook from moving. After that I do not know what happens. I do not see a clutch reset button. Sometimes when I have the button depressed and start turning for the length I here another "pop or heavy click sound" After I release the deck button it allows the hook to rotate. I had to do this a bunch of times before the needle and hook were in synchronization again. This morning it seems all good. But I want to know this machine for I will keep it a long time I think. I was worried last night that the hook/needle timing was off, because of the way the needle was dropping and the way the hook was going by. Still trying to find a video or detailed info on the EXACT way that motion works. Thx

Ok will do. Thx

pcox, Please elaborate on the "safety clutch". Very new to industrial machines, I think I read something on that in my manual but have no idea. thx

Guys and Dolls, After adjusting the stitch length this afternoon, I have had some strange and spooky haunted things happen. Has anyone had their machine go "out of time" Dont know if thats the right term. My hook was 180 degrees off until I hit the button again to adjust the stitch a little which made it come back to proper position. Then it started to fray the thread and create birdsnest. Frustrating considering I was sewing great all morning. Kept trying to adjust stitch length with very weird and haunted effects. Then after 3-4 times it broke a needle. Titled it up to take hard long look and decided to give it a break becuz football playoffs started. Any ideas on how to rid it of demons? Joey

Thx again Eric. You Da Man! Problem solved. Peace out. Joey

Hi guys, Quick question on this procedure. After looking at the manual, I am still a little baffled on the location points. Heres a pic of my bobbin/hook and a pic of the manual. I see where the felt wick is and is almost black with oil. Its the case part that is throwing me. Could someone help define the oil point. Thx JOey

Ok making alot of sense now. My 1st walking foot. Have a big smile on my face. One last question. On the handwheel, they have the stitch length as A B C D E. Plus a little arrow with + and - mark. Its common sense for the stitch length, but what exactly and the numeric equivalents for the letters? My manual does not list anything on it. Thx again, I am just about there. Joey

Ok, happy to report. Got it going real good now thanks to Erics little comment "To ensure your bobbin thread is in the tension place a finger on top of the bobbin, pull on the bobbin thread. This will pull the bobbin thread under the tension spring" That was the problem, thread was not under the tension spring. A little more fiddling and I am good to go. Thx Eric and pcox. Eric, so should I hand crank until its at its closest point then move the J-hook closer? Thx

Thx. Eric, My latch oper contact point is not as tight as the pic you provided. Meaning, the little hook part is at least 1mm apart from the contact point Does that make a difference? Is the adjusting you mention the J-shaped hook with the set screw?

Hi there, got a 211g165 last night. Found a very small pulley which went on great with a shorter belt. Works like a charm. But!! After I get a bobbin in and positioned the right way and the threads ready for sewing, it will sew nice for awhile and then the thread keeps popping out from under the bobbin projection which then it gets tangled up and hard to pull the fabric out to snip the threads. Especially after I cut thread to start a new practice piece. The bobbin thread keeps coming out from under the bobbin projection. I have the plate pulled back so I can watch whats going on. Sure is slowing the process down. having to keep watching that the thread is under the projection. When it does pop over and wrap around some I have to cut thread and untangle. What and how can I keep the thread from popping over the projection? What am I doing wrong please? ANy ideas will be appreciated. Other than that I finally got it tensioned and oiled up properly and sews great slowed down now.

Very cool. Learning more every minut. Thx

Any recommendations on servo motors Bob? Makes, models, etc. Just servo motor, not a larger wheel or belts? Thx for any input.

Hi guys, been a little while. Been busy hand stitching! Just got hold of a Singer211g165. How can I slow this beast down? This is my first walker. So I am still learning this type of machine. I do a lot of messenger bags and clutches,wallets, etc. Any advice on needles, thread, etc would be appreciated. Thx Joe

Thx guys for the input. billymac814. I am using oil tanned leather. So I can not really finish the edge like I would for my gun leather with top grain. Last night (4/13) at my market where I sell my goods, I sold 3 messenger bags with that stitching and they all loved it.. billymac, I like your suggestion on the extra backstitch. I will start doing that. needles. I like your idea on the nick to sink the thread into the leather. Its strange, I know the from the comments and the saddle maker that what I am doing is not proper. But, the customer loves it. Go figure. I think I will still do it, but with the extra backstitch and extra go around the edge will help in longevity for the piece. Then again, I will also do some pieces without the outside wrap around stich and see what happens. I will report all final outcomes to you guys. Thx all Joey

Thx Ferg, I have seen so many uses of this that now I wonder how it started in the first place Joey

Hey gang, been awhile since last post. Quick ? on edge treatment. I ran across a saddle maker from the UK at a art show I was doing and had a great conversation with him on leather work. On my messenger bags and utility bags I wrap the thread around the edge for what I thought was extra enforcement. He told me that "while it looks good and may serve a purpose, it is not correct" Told me that if the bag is used alot "I hope it is, so I make them bullet proof" the thread will wear out there and cause problems. I do see the reasoning there, I just really like to do the edge treatment that way, and use it as a selling point with my customers. Here are a few pics. What do you guys say. All mighty leather pros? thx JOey

THX for the tip. Used it again tonight and again started to uncontrollably dance about the room by myself. Remember Billy Idol? "Dancing with myself" That was me.

Hi everyone, been awhile since posting last. Just got my new round knife. Man what a difference I am on cloud 9 right now. Can not believe I waited this long to try one. Will never go back to the past way of using a utility knife. Just wanted to jump up and down with like minded people. Did that last night in the workshop with nobody around. Was not that fun. So I had to post it. Anyway, everyone have a great day. Joey

Simple question really. Who is doing one or all of the above? and who has done all of the above? What has been the most successful and why? I have been incorporating some small stuff (wallets,iphone,belts,dog collars,etc) into my art shows that I do for a living. Which is fine art photography. Has been interesting. At my high-end shows I do not bring out my leather work. Been selling items and generating alot of custom work from people who see it. Here in South Florida there seems to be not that many leather workers. So people are pretty interested in it. So who does what and why has it worked for you? Thanks from a new life-long member. Joey

DoubleC, Will you have a wall behind you at the new location like I see in the thumbnail pic you posted? If so, that would be a great place to put a banner up or something similar if they allow it. Keep it simple with a USP. Which means Unique Selling Proposition. Plus your website info. I stopped using biz cards a long time ago. I now keep a journal where I can write the potential customers email address down. If they do that, they are a little more interested in your art than the "do you have a card" To me thats a easy and nice way for them to reject you by asking for a card. I now use these little stickers with my info and hand them out. Its the address label size, This way it "sticks around" Haha, get it. It has worked better than cards. Banner would be cool though. Joey

Cheryl, Hi new here but not to the world of craft and art shows. Read the thread and I know that I can help with the show side of things. I am the show chairman of the Florida Keys Art Guild, so I do know a thing or two. Still trying to learn a thing or two or more about leather crafting. Its been 20 + years since I did it last. Fine art photography is my main thing. 1st up is that its hard to do a craft show like you explained in a cold climate like you just did. (if its a well know show anything is possible) At this time of year, look for your local Chamber of Commerce shows that are holiday related. Now all of the professional crafters/artists are coming to Florida for outdoor shows. Art shows are a whole different beast, but they are very lucrative if done right. I am slowly working in my leather work around my main line of photography. Small table nothing to crazy. I like your work and I am sure other people will too. The trick is getting it in front of people. And having enough of it. Nothing worse at a show and you only hve a few things. Go to your local Sears store or whatever store you like and study how they have the merchandise displayed and setup. This is how a small art show tent needs to look. Classy, neat, clean and full of stuff. It will take time. If there are any shows left up in Vt. You need to go and study them. I guess they are done. Coming into winter now. I have alot of links for show info if you want to know how to do it. Just let me know. JOey

So, how many people have their designs/products down to a tee? Or are you creating new ones all the time looking for a best seller? Just wondering.

Thx guys, yes I am learning that the thread I started with is not that great. Will have to get what katsass suggested in another answer to a question I had earlier.

New here. Soaking everything in. New to leather work and loving it. Quick ? on using a lighter to seal the ends after a saddle stitch run. On the backside of course. I am getting that little ugly bump, probably because I am using artificial sinew. Its melting the ends and just doesn't look right. Any other ideas for a newbie? Thx Joe