CowboyBob

The thick thread isn't being pulled up through the leather because it's a lot stiffer than the canvas.This is why people use a size smaller thread in the bobbin then on the top because it will pull up in the leather easier.

If you have a small punch or even an all metal old screwdriver lay it down @ an angle & hit the outer part of the screw in the slot the direction to unloosen it works everytime for me.

Similar to a Singer 211,probably can use #138 thread.

The brake on the model is a short piece of round leather belting,you can see it in the first pic just to the right of the off-on switch,it's pushing against the outer part of the pulley & looks like it's wornout & needs to be replaced.A new stronger spring as suggested might help.

The last time I talked with Schmetz they wanted an order of 10,000.

I know of a Amishman that sells them he stocks 230,250 & 280 he gets $3.50 ea. for them You can PM me for his ph# if you need any.

If you want to change it,take the needle plate & feed dog off & the bobbin case opening lever,loosen the 2-screws on the gear & it pulls out,be careful that the gear doesn't fall out because if you put the point of the hook back in the way it came out ,your slot on the new hook will line up so when you tighten the screws it'll still be in time.Then you turn it around & make sure the point of the hook doesn't hit the needle,if it does you can bend the hook guard(piece of metal just under point of hook held on w/2 screws) out alittle to push the needle away.

The easiest thing to do is remove the bobbincase & then you can get to the screws easier.There's a plate w/2 screws on it(better get some tweezers so you don't drop them) remove the screws then the plate & slowly spin the machine around until you can wiggle it out(leave the machine there & the bobbincase will slide right back in.Be sure to get that little square tab of metal underneath the needle plate when you reinstall it.

Yes,I'm talking about running the lower shaft @ an angle he needs to drop the leftside so the hook can clear & keep the timing belt the same length.

Ok,this would be tough but you could put an angle on the bottom shaft & keep the belt,the pulley is round & it would probably stay on. That 144W204 will sew some heavy stuff,most of the parts are still available for it.Some parts are a lot of $$ but it's a great workhorse type of machine.

It's a Landis #1,should sew to almost 1" of leather,the smallest needles you can get right know is #230 which is for #346 thread.Parts are real hard to find BUT it's built so good you might not need any.The needle plate is the most common thing you might need & they aren't real hard to make.The needles sell for $3.50 ea.(needle)

The problem would be you'd need a longer belt.To make the stitch length longer you can drill ot file out the slot so it's longer.There's a difference of .220 on the diameter,so it needs to be .110 from where it is now(it's close but I doubt if there's room),I think it will hit the feed dog if the shaft isn't lowered.the shaft is also larger @ .310 so you'll need a bushing or make a shaft with a larger end & drop it down too.

Just wanna get ur $$ worth?? I took it easy even though it was a buffet.Unlike last year when I could barely walk way!!

I know what you want to do & It's too large diameter to fit!

I have to admire your desire to make this machine sew heavy material.But it just is not designed for ,it has a leather timing belt that will end up getting stretched out when you work it with the larger thread.There are better machines like a 44 class which is like a 31-15 (only a shorter bed that will fit in your table) that has an oscillating hook which is designed for heavier thread than the full rotary hook which is made for High speed sewing of lightweight clothing type of material .Search this forum for 31-15 & you'll see a lot of people are using it for heavier sewing.The 95 is in the same class of machines as a Singer 241,251 & 281 only these are slightly more HD since they have metal gears driving the hook, you can search them too. Back to your question there's a needle 135x8 that has a larger diameter shank than the 16x2 you can get in larger sizes.We stock these too.

Yes,a reducer or a larger handwheel will help,you might check to see that the belt isn't too tight,you need a good 1"of play.Also is the machine well oiled so that it spins easily by hand?

Check the vertical knee lift rod on the back,alot of times it gets bent where it goes through the casting & out the bottom & binds in the hole.

The needlebar is chrome steel,very hard to drill.There is another needle 16x2 that measures 1&1/2" long that we stock in a leather point.You should be able to raise the needlebar to make these work.

It looks like a model 101 to me,same as a Singer 241,251,281 only it has reverse,slightly better than a 201 but still made for sewing lightweight garments @ a higher speed.Not good for leather.

If you stop with the take-up lever all the way @ the highest position it releases the thread from the hook.

Sounds like the new motor will turn your machine into something you'll want to use more.

I was thinking the same thing,looks pretty decent for the $$

Here it is. Consew 287.pdf Consew 287-1.pdf

No,it does not have a walking foot ,just a lower feed dog that pulls the leather.

They sew the same as a 31-15 you can search here for more info about them.I see it sold did you get it?