David Bruce

What maker is it from?

Sorry for the really long delay in responding. I haven't been on the site in quite awhile due to work, etc...I did buy the Fortuna. It's been great for everything that I've used it on (wallets, bags, card holders) all chrome tanned leather. I also bought the steel roller, a new blade and grinding wheel. I paid $1000 for it which I think is a steal since it came with the table and vacuum system. I would think a fair price for my set up is $1500-2000. I ended up buying a second top/bottom feed Fortuna with an Italian table/vacuum set up for $250!

Did you ever get this thing running? If so how is it working out?

It was better than the Madeira 12 but it's still not filling well enough so I'm going to try floss.

Hi Alexander, I just realized that my reply never posted. Your videos have been very helpful, thanks for posting them. With regards to contacting Merrow for parts, I spoke with them and they told me to reach out to a dealer since they don't sell parts direct. It took a while but I found a dealer that had the parts that I needed in stock (eccentric feed cams). They ranged in price but averaged around $20 including shipping. It is rare to find a company that still makes parts for a machine let alone one this old and in the US no less! My machine was made between 1924-25 according to Merrow. To answer Ferg's question, pricing varies. Like a lot of vintage sewing and leatherworking machines, prices seem to keep increasing. I feel like it's ebay driving private sellers to ask often ridiculous prices for things but, I guess it's whatever folks are willing to pay. I was fortunate to get mine complete with the original table, lamp, motor, manual, tools and a few accessories for $180. At the same time there was another one for sale in my city for $600. It was a slightly different configuration but essentially the same machine and only for the head. Back to Alexander, what thread do you run through these machines? I read that Merrow floss is recommended but it's hard to find so I ordered some Madeira Rayon. I'm using #12 for the upper looper and #40 for the needle and lower looper along with a 36 cam (for patch borders). I'm hoping to add these patches to some of my leather items.

Here's my Merrow machine from 1925. It's not meant for leather but can sew light garment weight leather and canvas.

I 'm looking for some eccentric stitch cams for my Merrow machine. They are the little slotted barrels like this one. The part number is 6-82. If you have some for sale please let me know.

Interesting! I've never seen one like this.

Sounds interesting. I've never seen one, do you have a photo? I come across old machines quite often.

I've decided to sell my Dixon since I already have a larger Keystone splitter along with a Landis crank. This is a rare machine that is also great for doing lap skives. It was made in England and has the original blade in great condition (no nicks or warping). This is a pull through splitter and the depth is set by the knob on the bottom. I'm asking $500 firm and would prefer local pickup in here Chicago.

I think you're misunderstanding. Look at how the handle attaches to the regad transformer, it's not the wall plug. Only the handle connector would need changing is my thought. I'll look closer once I get handles in.

So, the Robotemp would replace the black box/transformer.

The regad transformers are what have specific voltage and they come in both 220v or 110v. The handles work on either voltage of machine. I'm talking about using a Robotemp instead of the transformer and plugging the handles into it. The plug would have to be changed but it seems doable.

I recently ordered a second hand regad heat creaser from this shop in france http://www.cuirtextilecrea.com/ While I'm waiting I was moving around my Kwikprint heat stamping machines and was looking at the heat controller on them. I'm no electrician but wouldn't it be possible to wire a regad or adece handle so that it connects to the Robotemp controller from a Kwikprint? They regulate temp and are designed to stay on for long periods of time. Plus, the Robotemps are inexpensive.

Hey Blake, I was in the same position and just purchased a used Fortuna machine. I had been looking at the various Chinese clones like Cowboy, Cobra and Artisan. From what I've read, the clones are all made in the same plant and just re-badged. I would recommend buying one from whichever dealer is closer to you. Bob at Toledo Sewing has always been great to deal with, I've purchased servos, parts and supplies from him. I also have a Cowboy cylinder sewing machine, it's not as smooth as my old Singer but it works well and if it ever has a an issue that I can't deal with I will take it to Toledo for repair.

Thanks, it's fine with the greasy/oily leather it only glazed the feed roller when I ran natural veg tan. I just need to get a steel roller for veg. Such a time saver and no more concern about slicing through soft leathers with a skiving knife! Thanks!

I think I did well on price. I paid what he was asking which seemed fair to me. He also sold me a nice Dixon lap skiver for a bargain. The Fortuna model number is 50SAG, it's a beast. I've already run a bunch of Horween through it and even a little Hermann Oak veg tan, (though it started to glaze the feed wheel so I only did a little of it). I think it's my new favorite machine besides my motorcycles!

Thanks, much appreciated. I will be ordering a steel feed wheel, some sharpening stones and belts soon. I contacted Fortuna and they said that they still make all parts for my machine which is nice to know.

So, I bought the Fortuna! This was a craigslist purchase so I had no idea what I was going to find when I went to look at it. I was very pleased to find that the seller was a retired leatherworker who knew the machine inside and out. He had been doing leatherwork since the 60's and kept the machine in great mechanical shape. He was kind enough to show me how to operate the machine along with basic maintenance, sharpening, etc... He also showed me some of his other remaining equipment and had some of his work samples which were very nice. You can check out his blog here: http://leathercraftsman.blogspot.com/ I paid a few hundred less than a new clone costs which included the table, aspirating system, an extra presser foot, some dressing tools and the original manual. It also has a clutch that controls the feed speed by way of a foot pedal. I love that I know the history of the machine along with meeting the man that used it for all of those years. I was also very happy to give my money to a fellow craftsman.

Brian, Thanks for the tips. I sent an email to Fortuna and will give Campbell a call once I hear back. I've been looking for one of these machines for quite awhile and am very pleased to finally own one, (with the aspirator dust collector no less). I've only had it a few days and so far it's done great with the light weight leathers that I've put through it (Horween's bison, chromexcel and buccaneer). I do want a steel feed roll and a roller presser foot for it though. I have the original manual and spare parts list which lists many versions of these so hopefully, Fortuna can clarify what I need. My machine is a 50SAG3.

According to my manual the belt is:10x530 DIN 2215. However, my manual is for the V34S / V34P and V50S / V50P type machines (not sure if yours is one of these). I would contact Fortuna directly and send them a photo of your machine with the model and serial numbers to confirm the part that you need. My machine has a removable cover that gives me access to all of the belts. The manual is a good 40-50 pages and is quite useful. I will post a pdf of it on the site when I get a chance. If you haven't already, take a look at the tutorial videos on youtube also.

Ha! Yes, I will be doing that! Now to clean it up and make space in my tiny shop!

I just picked up this exact machine today from a retired leatherworker in Milwaukee. I'm amazed at how smooth it skives even if it is a bit loud.

Did you ever find the answer to your question? I have the original manual for these machines if you want a pdf of it.