5shot

I use the guide on belts, as it allows you to use both hands if needed. If you use your finger as the guide (which does work quite well), that hand is stuck there for the duration.

Been a while since I have posted, but figured I would answer the question. I have 2 Union Lockstitch machines. Shows you what I know - didn't know that Randall ever made a clone of the Campbell. I have mine going pretty slow, and I rarely adjust anything but the tension on the top thread. I stitch holsters, belts and the like. Full speed is wayyyyy too fast for this guy. I could probably get by just fine with a Campbell, but they looked overly complicated and my mentor steered me towards the Union Lockstitch. Being able to get tuning/maintenance advice with a quick phone call was worth it. I can get one in tune in just a few minutes now - and once it is there, it stays that way unless I mess up and try to fix what aint broke. I have heard from Dan Neagle at Campbell/Randall that the Campbell is much easier to use and only looks more complicated - but since I have never sat behind one, I can't give my impression of it.

I suppose it gets down to semantics, but the Randall Union Lockstitch is not really a clone of the Campbell. The Campbell is an Awl Feed machine, the Randall is a Needle Feed machine. The parts don't necessarily interchange either, as they look nothing alike. You can see the differences between all the machines here... Needle & Awl Machines

Do you still need one?