dikman

Nice job carr52, looks great. I'm impressed that you did a drawing first, I just make things up as I go!

Bit hard to dog-ear the pages on one.

One way guaranteed to break needles is to "force" the material as it's feeding, or apply sideways pressure when trying to sew curves.

If you want to use heavy thread then you have no choice but to go for the heavy machine (441 class). The 3200 would have been a good choice - until you mentioned holsters, that is the tipping point.

Ahh, the ubiquitous Chinese patcher. They are a "patching machine", basically intended for repair work. It doesn't mean you can't sew new items but you may be disappointed in the results. As for holsters, forget it! There have been plenty of posts about them, and youtube videos. If you insist on getting one you should be able to use common 135x16 needles and #69 thread, be aware that the bobbin is small and won't hold much thread. Some are set up to use standard domestic needles (mine was).

I had a similar motor on a machine I bought, and as an antique it was interesting but as a working motor - no. At that age the wiring would have to be considered highly suspect. As Quade said a 550 watt (3/4 HP) servo motor will be more than adequate. I would seriously consider adding a speed reducer too (you can build your own if you're mechanically inclined) or another option is to remove the handwheel and replace it with a large pulley, this will give much better low speed control.

Only two reasons to get rid of it - you don't have the room for it or you need the money. Otherwise why sell it?

That is very impressive work on the leaves. Having attempted, unsuccessfully, something similar, I can appreciate the skill involved.

There really isn't much to say except if you have a 441 then consider it a must-have.

Nice find! That should keep you out of mischief for a while.

Did it come with the brick?

If you go to his profile it gives Wattsan as his url, so presumably he's working for the company?

I guess it's no different to many of the manuals and handbooks that are released with goods made in China. What would it cost them, in the scheme of things, to hire someone who is actually fluent in English to proof-read them prior to printing?

That would never happen - much! Obviously no-one bothered to check the advertising before releasing it.

. I couldn't find the head-scratching emoji.