dikman

Had a quick look today (been a bit busy, I'm making replacement handwheels for my lathe, I cast them out of aluminium but they needed a lot of machining to make them usable). The reason the outer foot was lifting with the leather is because the flat spring tensioning screw was all the way out (doh!). Screwing it almost all the way down stopped the lifting. Unfortunately I could hear something knocking underneath during a stitch cycle, hopefully I can spend more time on it tomorrow.

A quick search turned up this - Have you googled for a manual?

Ah-ha! Many thanks 111W, now I'm beginning to see how it was intended to function. For my needs I obviously don't require any of that complex linkage so I just need to restore it to a basic 111-type functionality. A nice little project for me.

I'll have to have a much closer look. The parts list mentions that on the 117 some parts are left out and different ones fitted compared to the 116 (my parts list is a pretty poor copy, hard to read some of the stuff in it). I didn't pay much attention to it when I got it, I basically cleaned it up and it seemed to work but I haven't really used it yet. I'm just puzzled by the lever that's attached to the top of the presser bar, I just can't see how it does anything (except go up and down!). I might have to spend some time on it tomorrow 'cos now I'm curious about how it's different inside.

Pity. There's something weird about the 117, it doesn't have a spring to exert downward pressure on the outer foot. The foot bar is extended above the top of the casing and the parts list (and the brochure) shows a lever attached to it. Mine doesn't have the lever so I'm puzzled by exactly how it's all supposed to work.

Don't sweat it. Not snappy at all, in fact it's a very valid question. Some of us just don't bother trying to rationalise it.........

"hair pullingly" - for that to be any good one needs something called hair.

I don't suppose you chaps have a user manual for this machine? All I've found so far is a parts list.

Yep, quite noticeable. I assumed, however, that they were referring to working distance under the feet, not "lifted" distance?

I just collect things. There!! I've admitted it! I feel better already......

I saw that, thanks constabulary. Mine doesn't have 1/2" under the feet, best I could adjust it to was 3/8". Guess I'd better look at it again.

Well done! You are now officially a collector, no point denying it!!

Hey Constabulary, in that brochure it lists the 117 (which I have) and was wondering what that 1/2" on the right refers to? It also says it has an automatic tension adjuster, I wonder if that means the thread or the presser foot?

Yes, that is impressive. I notice that the needle bar is hard against the inner foot when used like that, so the machine must be operating at its limits. I've learned something new.

Doesn't that mean the 7mm is effectively the working clearance under the feet?

That makes sense, although with apparel I wouldn't have thought you'd need large size thread. As long as I'm always learning something new it means I'm still alive.

Just curious why you'd want to do that?

Ralf, if you're right (and I think you might be) then it means the dealer is sending out incorrect information about the machine he's selling, which shows a lack of knowledge on his part. I wonder what else he doesn't know.

Well, they both use the same phrase, clearance under the foot, so the logical assumption is that they're referring to the same operation.If you're right then it means that using the hand lift doubles the clearance which seems a bit high to me (none of my machines have that sort of difference). Just curious.

You say nothing over 3/8", but I'll bet that if you get a machine that can do a bit thicker then you'll end up doing just that. A 3200 "might" be struggling to do really light stuff (in which case buy an old domestic machine for that) but overall it's probably the closest we hobbyists can get to a good all-round machine. If you make stuff heavier than it can handle then you're getting into the realms of the heavy stuff - the 4500/441 machines. A 3200 would probably be the ideal machine for what I do - only problem is the cost.

Those manuals are contradictory, looking at max. clearance under the foot one says 7mm the other says 14mm!

Only potential problem I can see is the stitching on the front of the pouch. I reckon sliding a revolver in and out is soon going to wear through the stitching on the inside as it's just about where the cylinder will rub?

Actually, it's quite an intriguing machine, given that it's obviously not quite a stock standard unit. The spool holders are mounted underneath the table (??) and there's a linkage of some sort hanging across the foot pedal. I'd also noticed the repaint, probably not too old given that it's not showing any wear, and as for all the extra holes........ I'd be interested, but not at that price, given its "peculiar" condition. Probably not a good idea for someone just starting out, you want a machine that is hopefully in at least "standard" condition which will make it easier when you inevitably ask for some assistance/advice.

His location says Germany, if that helps.

Interesting. The obvious solution, of course, is don't connect the printer to the internet. I can't really see the point in connecting a home 3D printer to the 'net, I would much rather be there to keep an eye on it when it's running. And when I'm not using it it's turned off.