gordond

in regard to 97x3 ..have posted this a few times before... Groz Beckert ,Germany: circa 2008 97x3: sku :703762 97x3 size 250 [27] Available 3,800 needles sku: 702412 97x3 size 280 [28] Available 8,100 needles sku: 703772 97x3 size 300 [29] Available 2,100 needles Price: 109 Euro/100 [Germany]. no 97x4 left [note: Maico in Mexico has none..I know --I phoned in 2008 and asked them...fortunately my Spanish was good enough to get hold of an English speaker..very helpful man and kind enough to get in contact with Groz and they helped with the info] There were a few 97X3 held in the US that I was aware of...... but it has been awhile since I last checked . I would still like to split 100 unit packs with anyone who is interested. [27's and 28's] note ..I have seen other 97x needles for sale ;but found out they were 2-3/4" long. [this is incorrect as we know...97's are 3" inch long] As Steve said,Schmetz 1000H is being used [longer than the 97x?],however it is a scarfed roundpoint needle ,stock of size 29,30 were showing. 1000H's are also on the endangered or extinct species list

Hi Steve..thanks for the honest and insightful reply ...good to get a benchmark on shipping thanks oh yes- to the seller..your price is not unreasonable.

yes ...thanks for the info ..spotted the gun collection on their website.. also interested in the craft days there.. thanks for posting

Hi Steve....could I be so bold in asking what you would estimate to ship this machine to Australia [well um ..New Zealand]?? I have a lead here, just in today, in part container space shipping into NZ [one on one deal- not through a broker -so may cut some cost]. But I'm really uncertain about crating and long haul road freight.We sort of guestimated ~NZD$2000-2500 ? depending on how close it was to the main export wharves. cheers

great suggestion! a good range of things there ..I have been in LA a few times,but just visited the usual tourist sites. thanks

Hi Black Dogg..thanks for posting the link..priceless!

Hi Steve no offense taken...no worries..I intended to clip my avatar description for awhile. nah.. your posts sound fine to me. Likewise ,I have the same story..machinery ;when and only when you could find it, the price was #@!!!. thinking back in ~1984 saw an old Pearson for ?$7500 and that was a good deal[ it did sell for that and fast] I saw Black Dogg's post and have just downloaded the German manuals will email you thanks

hi Steve...yes ,I'm keen on manuals ,so yes thanks ; those would be great. I have a few original Singer...97 brochure book and class 7 manuals [&parts book].. lol!! , my "list" [started to look like a brag, but wasn't the intention]...served the purpose of getting dialogue from the members here. but half a page for a few words in a reply looked a bit absurd. thanks

Hi All, Ideas for leather orientated places to visit or shop! at. I'm booked on a holiday out of Miami in ~early April 2014 and don't have enough time to extend before or after, to be at the Arizona or Wyoming shows. So..I haven't firmed flights into the US yet, but could be Los Angeles or Texas[ Dallas]..or some other city in between, on the way out. Any ideas or must see, would be appreciated. [Rock music/concerts are also an interest- but it looks a bit bleak at the moment] thanks.

Hi Steve..that's one intense showroom collection! I picked up a job lot over the weekend which had a Pearson 6 [well a BUSM HM6]..plus 7 other machines [Adler 205-64, Adler 30-1 patcher,Sole stitcher,another Singer 29K58-"grief that makes 3"+ pfaff545 and 2 other flatbeds]..and a heap of tools.One of those estate -back of barn buys "I couldn't resist" and the stuff has gone to my relatives until I claw back more space. thanks for sharing the photos!

here is one possible design that these machines are based on.Simple,historical-tried and true action and look real easy to fix.

Hi Steve just saw your reply ....funnily enough I was in Brisbane last week when you replied ,..only just got a chance tonight to back review postings on Singer 97's.. yes thanks ....any photos would be great to get the guist of the inside of the flap-cover . another member here has kindly offered help already with reference to the US Miltary manuals [actually forgot that I already had them]- these are excellent ..but I still require just a bit more visual info to get the fabrication right. thanks again.

Hi Singer Class 97 owners, I am restoring my 97 and don't have the rear flip-up cover.[have the attachment screw, but that's it] Withstanding actually ever finding one,I will be making one to suit. I have the parts manual with diagrams, but it isn't clear how the cover and assembly go/work together. I need detailed close up photos of the cover and the spring mechanism;- in how it functions in the cover. Sizing references would be really helpful as well. If anyone could help, it would be greatly appreciated. thanks

depends on the paint remover..using a phenolic based one today .. .worked real fast on the large balance wheel, but only moderately over the rest of the machine. But it took a lot off [down to bare steel in most parts , so not too much to sand back. photos of the balance wheel..... before after ]

Hi I have done a few ...just started my Singer 97 today. prefer not to sandblast due to getting sand in the workings, unless you are going to completely dismantle it. and again one never knows what the casting is like..seen some build [lead and other fillers] on some machine casts. process: - check what screws are jammed solid and dose these with a creeping oil like Kroil. - check next day to see what has loosened and take apart...so-on.[another long story] - as parts come off ..take photos and label parts[ bags or tags] - once got as many parts off as I see as necessary to be able to repaint...degrease. - paint remover and or heat gun...repeat as required [some removers work better if you wrap over the coated item with saran wrap and leave overnight]...there are a few different types of paint removers [slow to fast] - pack oil holes[wax or foil] ,tape working parts [slight oil to stop rusting] or generally seal them off. - sand or die grind - rust stop prime - high build prime..sand..prime - top coat ,sand ,topcoat,...so-on - decals or highlighting. - clear coat sealer.

Hi Trevor is that Sewingtime in Newmarket?...what did they want for this Seiko? email me regarding needles cheers

too many machines to actually do anything with ....I have run out of space. [lol!! can't even get a decent photo of the stacked menagerie] but in additon to what is listed in my details ,I have developed a nasty new habit in collecting domestics. have .. Husqvarna 6440 [x2] Elna SU Carina Bernina 830 these have been bought for particular light work within bag linings [cloth].

Hi Jonathan, yes this is costly [they usually are - 2years ago they ranged from 6 to 10 Euro each]....but at least you have the needle system number now ,so that should help to track down the correct needle. I think a #5 needle might be too fine or narrow ? , but I am not sure about this needle gauge in this system. Let us know what you find as there are people here that will require needles at some stage. there is a seller [or 2] in Holland , but I can't remember their names.Let you know when I do. Thanks! for your hospitable offer.. [might go to Europe some ?day ..rest of the family are off to Canada and New York soon..I'm staying here this year]

try this http://www.ebay.de/itm/Frobana-Doppelmaschine-Ersatzteile-Nadeln-1-Stk-Gr-5-/221223606127?pt=Schusterei_Schl%C3%BCsseldienst&hash=item3381f4576f may have been stocked by Groz Beckert, Germany . note:I have not purchased from this seller before there are other sellers in Europe ..Holland and a couple in the USA [shoe Systems]

just my 10c worth..many NZ'ers buy online offshore ..real crazy prices here for certain items.. http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living veg tan [carving] leather NZD$11 to ?? $16/ sq.ft..and higher for W&C [but no stock] the last lot I bought here was imported South African ..grade not too bad ..soft hand ..[~NZD$11/sq.ft..] the Chahin was cleaner ,but didn't suit my application that day..too dense and flinty[overtanned?]. .this was priced @NZD$15.50/sq.ft [an aside :as the largest dairy milk exporter ,we have the privilege of paying more for milk here than the UK or USA].