errigal

OK all thanks for the advice. I got great screwdrivers and have machine working perfect. I also stuck on a servo motor. I am enjoying it at this stage

Figured it out. Even though the hook timing was ok the hook is touching/pushing the needle as it passes. There should be a gap of 0.05 to 0.1mm and there is none. It actually bends the needle to the left as it passes. Next problem is that I can't get the screws out to adjust anything and I don't want to destroy the screw head. I presume they are not left hand thread or anything? Can I use an impact driver on them???????

Hi folks I finally got a sewing machine. Now I'm trying to educate myself how to use it and I'm having problems. When I bought the machine the lady who sold it to me had orange thread for jeans in it and I ran through some heavy fabric no problem before I bought it. When I got home I wound the bobbin with 138 and threaded the machine topside with the same. I had no needle other than the size 100/19 that she had in it. I know this is too small but I got it threaded and tried anyway. It either broke the top thread at the needle tip when down in the bobbin or left loops on the bottom of the fabric. I thought it must be top thread tension too slack so tried adjusting tension up and down - it made no difference. With the tension right in it was slightly better but still leaving loops underneath. I have tried slackening the bobbin tension but this also doesn't appear to help. I got a 140/22 needle today and went home rubbing my hands but alas more torture. If anything it is worse and breaks the top thread most of the time I turn the pulley. I am running #138 bonded polyester thread ( this is not round but definitely flattish like hand sewing thread???????). I have this top and bottom. Is it too thick for this machine? I have looked at the bobbin timing and I think it is ok. I have checked the needle is going through the centre of the pressor foot hole and it is. It is also going through the centre of the feed dog hole yet every time that needle disappears down there I have no better odds than 50:50 of it come back out whole!!!!! At this point I really could do with some expert assistance hint hint Thanks Davie

Ok got a highlead gc0318-1. Picking it up on saturday fingers crossed

thanks brmax. sorry I should have said pounds sterling instead of lbs. :-) (approx $756) Do you think the singer would be suitable for auto upholstery. Would it leave marks on the leather? It looks like a seriously solid machine

OK I'm at the end of my tether I think i just got gazumped on the seiko. I had transferred money and organised a courier and the seller emails me to say the motor is solid and refunds my money. I'm so desperate now I'm considering a joys pf5318. http://www.ace-apparelcraftequipment.co.uk/Industrial%20Showroom%20Models/ACE-5318ShowroomModel.jsp Nasty feedback on the company that sells em everywhere on the net but who knows maybe I could get lucky? The only other option I can see out there is a singer 211g156 at 500 pounds Any opinions?

OK I got all excited and bought the seiko (fingers crossed). Will torture you all with more questions when I get it. Dunno what size needle it takes or thread size or anything - it's great to be green

Hi can someone tell me more about this machine? I can find out a fair bit about the sth-8bld-3 but not a lot on this earlier model. I'm assuming it would be ok for leather car seats? Also while I have the attention of the mighty brain power on here can you help me identify this adler :-) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171776608185 It also looks like something that would suit my needs. Which machine would be best?

Gregg thank you so much. That's another one off the list.

Does anybody know anything about this machine? I can't find much on the internet about it.

I kinda guessed that might be the answer. The infinite patience bit doesn't worry me but the year bit does. I did consider changing the seats to a plainer design to update the look. The strips are not even pretty. Lol

Hi all so I'm restoring an old triumph dolomite sprint at the moment and have decided to replace the cloth seats with leather. Have never done anything like sewing leather before and could do with a little advice. I have figured out that I can't go grab an ordinary sewing machine and hey presto new car seats. I don't think it's worth spending a ball of money on a walking foot compound feed machine for a one off so my question is how difficult would it be to hand stitch an interior????? I know every1 will tell me to get it done by an upholsterer but that's not point - I WANT to do it myself. The learning is part of the fun for me. I also don't mind slow painstaking work. I have 1.5mm buffalo hides due to arrive in the next few days so will have to decide what the master plan will be Would u all hand stitch or chance a cheapy like a singer hand cranked? I'm guessing feeding an old machine and keeping the stitches consistent would be a nightmare? Also can you hand perforate leather? Be nice to have perf leather in the seat bottom to stop every1 sticking to them Thanks Davie