forbeskm

I have been happy with my Nicko Sew analog servo and they have provided great service for a post-bed I purchased from them. I am also happy with my other knock off analog servo from Ralphs Power Sew in denver. I recommend a local shop if you can find one, Nicko Sew was great to work with over the phone. Make sure your pulley is small enough, that can really help out. You can always add a speed reducer if you want it to crawl. I am not partial to the clutches they take a bit getting used to.

I just saw a Kingmax 206 (Consew Clone) on craigslist for 600. That's a good price. They usually go for 900-1200 or so used at a dealer. Great machine and it has the safety clutch button thingy to put it back in time. I like the bigger bobbin. Sews through vinyl, leather and webbing with no problem.

Check out the 99 superior catalog on http://supsew.com/ Should give you an idea what is available. You have to go to your local sewing shop to order.

Thanks, I didn't find my serial there (starts with W736) but I found http://www.singerco.com/support/machine-serial-numbers/single-letter which shows single letter starting with W for 1911. I thought the 51w54 was from the 50's.

I finally have my used Singer Post Bed 51w54 from Nick-O Sew all setup and happy. I am almost ready to try my hand at men's hiking boots. I may add on a speed reducer though at the moment the servo works quite nicely. Does anyone know how to tell how old a Singer is?

Great Job! I want!

I think I am getting that Nickosew myself for my post-bed I have on order from them, I have talked to Nick and he has a nice setup. I am not sure on the service yet as this is the first time working with them but they have a huge presence so I doubt they wouldn't support things. That said the NKS 5500 is an analog and I am guessing its like my Consew analog servo and doesn't give the bump control with the pedal I think you can get with a digital servo. Be interested to hear people who have both a digital and a analog servo on the differences.

I have a consew servo on my Kingmax 206 clone. I dropped the 70mm pulley down to a 1 3/4 I think and now I can get it to go quite slow. I pondered the reducer but its anywhere from 125-145, I may save that for when I get a post-bed where I'll need slow for tight turns. I think the torque is fine for what I do, I can always hand wheel helper it. If you are going from a clutch to a servo I don't think you'll be unhappy. I have seen the digital servos out there and youtube videos on how to turn them down more but they are 160+ on ebay so I went with the pulley change on my analog.

One just came up in my neck of the woods. http://denver.craigslist.org/bfs/4135197231.html I'd get one if I had infinite garage space. This too was painted white too and not terribly well. I am dabbling in shoes but so far I don't see any need for a tacker, an outsole stitcher but not a tacker

Great job! I was thinking of giving bags a shot and those look great!

Bob Kovar at http://www.tolindsewmach.com/ I am told, just sent him an email for one. You can search for him here and see a description of the 3 to 1 gear reduce servo. Nice deal for 500 btw! A steal.

You have done well for a week! You must have some past artistic experience ?

I am guessing regular stitching with a foam pad sewn in. Usually you have a pad in the tongue anyways so they did some decorative stitching over top. Check out auto upholstery they do a lot of that kind of thing. Try some decent vinyl remnants at your local fabric store, auto trim supply, shoe finding place. Then contact cement some foam to of a sample piece for the tongue and then sew your stitches to get your look. An auto upholstery place should have some foam if you can't find a shoe finding place nearby. A shoe repair shop if you have one handy can help you as well. At least I think that is what you were asking.