CowboyBob

The problem is this particular motor is the metal gears in the reducer part of the motor,they have a gear whine that usually quiets down as you use it more. Bob

The gas shock sounds like a great idea but I think most people have an idea if they want to sit or stand to sew & rarely change once they get it to their preferred position. Bob

Well the Adler 205-25 has a hopping top foot with a stitch length that can be adjusted independant of the bottom feed dog,they use this in moccasins for a shirring effect.They will sew just under 1/2" Bob

That's great news,you'll have fun getting it sewing & seeing what it can do. I went to Sheridan to sell machines @ the show & bought 60 machines there,I called my wife & said I done something bad last nite & she asked did you cheat on me ,I said NO!! I bought 60 machines & she said oh that's ok. Bob

Your Welcome!

I've learned to say I've has it a long time. Bob

The stitch length should be adjustable,it looks like the screw is missing for it(the slot on the upper right front),it's well worth the $$ for the stand alone,I have people calling all the time for heavy treadle stands & it seems yrs ago when they converted to electric I think many got scrapped. Bob

Ok,it does have model#325 on it,over here they are model# 188k,it's a very light duty machine more for a tailor or dressmaker using thin household type of thread. Bob

If you can get a pic I can help,the model# should be on a brass oval tag on the front. Bob

That's a good one,I think it would look better with some old shoes by it?

Ok,if you seen the svrew is it still in there holding the 2 pieces together?,there's also a little screw in the hook driver gear that has a small pointed tip to it that could of sheared off too,the screw is in a hole in the gear that you get to by going in the slot(back one) on the lower part of the arm where the gear slides in & out.

Turn the machine around so the needlebar is all the way down,now look up where it comes out of the machine,underneath,it's on the left side & catskin is correct it'll make it skip if it's bent. Bob

Corey, Check to see that ur eyes @ the top of the thread stand in aligned with the base that the spool sets on. Bob

Sometimes they are hard to get out,if never had to drill one in the 100's I've worked on.It might help to support the front part w/a a small nut around the pin & put a hammer against the nut so more force of the hammer from the back will go into the pin. If you don't understand what I mean & can post a pic tomorrow. Bob

There's a connection under the arm(about in the middle) w/a screw in it that could of fell out. Bob

I'd say you'll probably won't get hurt on this machine,but the parts are outragously high for it & most parts have to be bought from Adler for it since not much is available on the aftermarket except feet & they are limited to just a few different ones. What do you want to sew it?Does it have a 110v motor? Bob

Corey, yes,it's a 97-10 & parts will be hard to find for it & you'll even have a hard getting the correct needles for it as they haven't been made for years,I found 500 of them a couple of yrs ago but they're all gone.This machine will sew you to 1" thick with the correct needle,you can lower the needlebar down & use a 794 needle that is readily available but you be limited to sewing 1/2" thick with it. Good Luck, Bob

We sell organ needles along w/Schmetz & Groz-Beckart ,the last 2 will work better in heavier leather sewing than the Organs,which will bend & break easier. Bob

Actually unless it's a real old(I'm talking 1850-1870 era) most improvements you make will increase the value (as long as they are for thre better) so as Darren said keep the old parts incase you want to put them back on & get it setup the way you want.I feel things like a DC Servi improve the value as it'll be more user friendly machine to operate. HTH, Bob (Live from Sheridan,WY)

The best way to find out is to take your leather your going to use ( some types of leather sew different than others)& try it on the 205 first,it's the better one for leather,it will be sewing at it's max so you might even have to lube the thread to help it sew. Bob

The only thing different is the stitch length. Bob

The 128x2 are small @ the top & 11/2" long,I have that needle in stock in sizes #12,16,18,19,20,21,23,24. Bob

I would say to stay away from these machines,They were made for sewing clothing with household weight thread. Bob

Your stopping it in the wrong spot,try stopping right after the needle picks up the thread,let the needle come out of the material & then pull alittle slack thread & pull out the material you've sewn. Bob

Yes,this sounds like a good buy.They take the 138 w/o any problems & you'll also like the larger bobbin.The feet from your 111w wil;l fit on it too. Also when replacing the bobbin you don't have to pull it up through the needle plate like on the 111w,just leave approx 1" tail of thread put it in & start sewing. Bob