Handstitched

Just doing my usual search amongst the sewing machine listings in the classifieds, and found this: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bellevue/sewing-machines/sewing-machine-industrial/1254798278 Al I can make out is " Patent ....bbler" Looks like it was once used as a boat anchor. Is it even a sewing machine at all? HS

OMG !! I sure wish I had a ' transporter from Star Trek' . I'd snap those up real quick . They all look fairly complete, and with stands. What a bargain . HS

I concur. Consew did make them in Japan, the early ones I guess, but I believe they moved manufacturing to China. But the one in the pic clearly says ' Made In Japan', bottom right. @JJN If you don't mind me asking, how much is it selling for? Whatever you decide, its quite a good machine. HS

Forgive me for being a bit of a dunce, but what are they? any pics ? HS

I know nothing about them, never seen one before, but that is just beeeautiful , lovely and old HS

Can the table be modified in anyway to accommodate ? I think that cutting it off is a bit extreme. You may even decide to use it at some point in the future, and who knows, you may even find a dedicated table one day HS

That rings true for me, being in a small regional town with approx 1700 people . HS

Welcome to the forum fredk is right, a location would help . Any business advisers near you? If not try 'googling' business advice' in your area, preferably free. I had a business savvy friend that helped me. Just as an example, in Australia, we have to apply for an ' ABN', (Australian Business Number) we can't operate as a business without it, nor can we display a business name without it . It also gives us access to wholesale pricing, ' business to business' . My business is named after the name of our property. Thats get renewed every 3 years. Also, just check with your local county/ shire to be sure. My business has a shire permit under 'cottage industry' rules/ guidelines And don't be put off by any rules & regulations , tax rules etc. they may seem daunting, it was for me, but I persevered . HS

Yep, what he said ^^ @ivan7342 Well done. You're doing pretty well so far, and you've picked it up quite well too. I started with a basic 7 piece set and went from there . I later found some s/h tools in the classifieds ( remember them? in an antiquated thing called a newspaper, pre-inter webby ) . After that, I couldn't stop, I was hooked. And, my ' little hobby' turned into a business. Your world is your oyster.........but made of leather of course. Theres no such thing as a silly question on here , it could save you time , money & frustration , we've all got stuck at some point and needed help. And yes, have fun !!!!! HS

@shoepatcher you're right. This is not identical , but close . https://www.ids-la.com/CSM550-Variable-Speed-Servo-Motor-for-Sewing-Machines_p_633.html HS

I do have many people that still do appreciate the hand made item and/or custom made to their specs , but I still have those that say" I can get that online for xxxx$$ " ( cheap cheap in other words) . Perhaps its not going "Going Straight To Hell " , but it certainly has diminished somewhat ( here in west Oz), and I do believe online shopping as attributed to that . Apart from seeing others work Judging at shows, I never see any other leather workers or their work. O'h well, I'll just carry on as usual, educating & promoting the craft HS

I'll only be repeating what I said earlier on this topic : https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/88893-this-art-form-is-going-straight-to-hell/ If only Tandy tried opening in the west and not the east of Oz , they might have had a chance. My leather supplier has a some tools supplies etc. but thats just one supplier of leather supplies....thats it.. just one in all of Perth WA !!! Without them, everything would come from the east. I know there are leather crafters in Perth because I've seen their work when I've Judged at shows , one being the Royal Show ( huge event here in WA) Same here, I have tried, but never worked out That'll be 10 cents now.....thank you .....COVID surcharge HS

I'm guessing you've seen this before? http://www.renia.com/tech_GB_E/320-GB_E.tech.pdf HS

Here in Australia, while some items have taken a bit longer to arrive by 'Australia Post' , I do try to take into account the time it takes for materials to arrive when I order. I also make that clear when customers place orders and I don't always have the materials or hardware . However, recently , I needed reliable heating for my workshop, I placed the order, and my heater came by courier, not ' Oz Post' , it was dropped off at the front gate ( instead of me driving into town to check my mail , no mail box this far out) , and so much quicker than I expected, around 9 days instead of the usual 14-21 days , but it came by air, same as Oz post....go figure? HS

@DustinSmith I guess the only other time I would sometimes line a belt, would be to hide the screws, rivets or pins of concho's studs etc. It just tidies them up and looks more professional . I use 4mm D/butt or shoulder ( 5mm harness also) , and the lining is around 1.2mm, making it quite a sturdy belt by the time its all stitched. Most of my ' bread & butter belts' I make are unlined otherwise . HS

You can get a rubber cement thinner, but have a read of this: http://standdegrees.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-could-be-used-in-place-of-rubber.html Acetone has a low flash point , around 18 - 20 degs C, it also dries your skin out, so wear gloves. I used this stuff for over 10 years in the fibreglass pool industry , that and toluene. Perhaps read the label for instructions or see what its made of, or the best thing to do is to contact the manufacturer for advice. Hope it helps, HS

Found this also, but for a 106, an 'illustrated parts list' https://www.manualslib.com/manual/153768/Singer-111w106.html HS

Parts manuals are harder to find it seems , however, I did find this. Its for a 155, but similar to yours. The site is a bit of a ' dog leg', it took a while to get around it. https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZbsWLkZgK81EJwTRJkzmdwm31ffiSHKqGgk But I'll keep looking HS

@drc9723 Congrats on your purchase, now the fun begins eh? yeh sure, heres are a few links to manuals. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/364308/Singer-111w101.html http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/classes-100-199.html Heres a youtube link, good place to learn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh2Gc6soutE HS

Theres certainly tension issues somewhere. Have a look at the thread , bottom left, with the tail, you can see the top thread has ' looped' , or as RockyAussie suggested the thread is catching somewhere. It'll be a process of of elimination . I always have the same size thread top & bottom , 180/24 needles , no issues ( touchwood ) . Just a thought. HS

G'day mate, I've had a similar problem , so I tried using my regular rotary hole punch of the same size at both 'ends' of the hole to be punched, if that makes sense . That has helped. Try that on some scraps to practice. It also just takes a bit of practice with oblong punches. Hope that helps a bit Is that a guitar strap you're making? HS

I love that, the 'ulterior motive' and the right to brag & show off a bit Theres plenty of help on here in regards to sewing machines. You would need something fairly heavy for punching bags. If you're not sure, just ask HS

@cocoa G'Day, I found this: Theres some good advice by ' Wizcrafts' . Hope it helps I was offered one of those years ago for $650-Au in my 'early days' . But as its mainly for fur, or so I thought, I didn't buy it, apart from the price, a bit steep. But if I see one again, at a good price, I might reconsider. HS

@Zinon G'day, Wow !! What a project you're taking on . I don't know much about them, but this is straight from wiki in regards to its contents. Some are filled with air or water, I didn't know that .....yey, I learnt something today Hope it helps, even just a bit to get you started. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punching_bag I guess they would be around 50-60 kg's ? So you would need some pretty hefty hardware for it hang from the roof . I'm sure someone on here that likes to exercise can answer that ? HS

Its a shame I saw this post so late, I would have suggested to take the brave step and enter the world of leather. You never know where it may lead you HS