Handstitched

G'Day, Every so often I go on a website that sells all sorts of industrial stuff. In the collectible category, theres this sewing machine. Its been there forever, surprised no-one has bought it , even for the historic interest. And after a search, I can't find ' STC Sewing Machines ' ( Standard Telephones & Cables) anywhere. I have STC vintage radios in my shed , but I didn't know they made machines. Its not an industrial machine as in heavy textiles etc. more domestic, but, the large flywheel tells me it has an 'industrial' aspect to it? My thinking also, is that its been re-branded . Looks like it had a leather drive belt? Part of the head has fallen into the bench a bit too far (RHS), cabinet could be rotten, the plate is missing, LHS and looks like it has reverse , and if its been outside, I'm guessing its seized. It maybe obscured by the shadow, but I can't see a take up arm . What do you think? HS

G'Day MaliMac, and welcome to the forum and welcome to a fellow Seiko STW ....' recipient' ? Isle of Skye ? I have 'post card pictures' in my head. Anything like the Shetlands? I'm an ex- Suffolk man myself . I've always used M40 threads on my STW, although I haven't tried other threads, but it works fine. I also had this similar issue when I first got this machine many years ago. I was cursing like a trooper for about an hour trying to get this thing working because it kept missing stitches...... until I worked out what the insy winsy screw was for on the side of the shuttle, just like Uwe said , after that, it worked great. I couldn't stop myself sewing after that, I was so happy I went and had a beer I also worked out what those shiny buttons in the centre are for too. Looks like you have it threaded correctly . Call me biased, but they are a good reliable machine. HS

I had an account with a wholesaler in Pennsylvania, and I bought stock when the Oz $ was reasonably healthy, in the 90's even parity at one point , (stock arrived quicker than Oz post too at times) , but now the Oz $ is in the toilet, currently .66 . But I spent less than $1000- for tax & customs purposes at the time,( had to go through a bit of customs red tape once because I spent over $1000- . Its not financially viable for me to order from the US atm . It would need to be in the mid 80's at least for me to consider ordering from US. I'm only a small operator and not a huge amount of $$$ to spare, especially these days, its been a bit tight. I've only just started to go back to "normal" , ordering stock etc. from Adelaide Leather & Birdsalls. I also have a wholesaler in Ozzy Park, here in Perth ( agent for NSW leather) @Frodo Thanks for the link, when things get better here, I'll certainly consider them. No doubt they sell quality leather , people on here speak highly of them Thanks HS

I occasionally get' this site cannot be reached' or, 'LW.net too too long to respond' etc etc. Pages , emoticons and other parts of the site take a while to load . I know my ' pooter' is old-ish,( um.... XP.. goggle nice & shiny .....don't laugh !!! ) all was good and going quick until about a week or so ago.Did a quick ' service' ,disabled this , that, cleared this 'n' that', defrag etc. , but no change. Every other site I go on, order stock , supplies etc. works just fine. Perhaps more creative peeps are coming onto LW during covid? Which is a good thing HS

$45 ?????? Here in Oz, thats about $200- $250.00 , fair dinkum!! I hate exchange rates ....... and the huge lack of tanneries here in Oz !! HS

Its a bit of an ominous sign that all these outlets are closing. Is there anyone on here that works for Tandy? Or is now a ' former' employee as a result of these recent closures, would be good to get some clarification on whats going on? HS

G'Day, Thats really good to know, thanks for that . HS

@katit you're a much braver person than me. You have done a really great job, but I will never go that far on my machine I have the twin needle version of yours. STW 28B . Its 54 years old and works just fiiiiine ( touchwood) , I oil it & clean it regularly ( horse rugs...say no more ) Well done . HS

My supplier, Birdsall Leather in NSW Australia, will ship dyes , sealers etc. with or without alcohol but not sealers similar to ' Neat-Lac' , too dangerous. DOH !! But other companies will ship more dangerous stuff out, like adhesives, go figure? HS

What a beauty !! It would make a nice display piece in your workshop Or you could buy it and flip it ? Is that an oil reservoir at the back? HS

On top of that, theres a lot of history behind the company.I wonder how many leather workers on here started out as beginners or as young kids even , and turned their ' little hobby' into a business, courtesy of TL? I have old TL catalogues from the 70's & 80's that were given to me. I kept those, they're good to look through sometimes. HS

@LumpenDoodle2 Off topic: I too have a welder, ...can I weld? Nup !! I bought it because...um..... Meanwhile.... I recently made some simple credit card cases out of off cuts of 1.2 & 2mm veg tan leather . Enough to carry 4-5, maybe 6 cards, and small enough to carry in a pocket or purse. Some people ask me to make small ' bricks' , you know , those 2-3" thick wallets that hold a gazzilion cards, they also want room for pics, cash, a pocket for coins etc. and a little foldy bit in the middle, and room for a plasma tv.. I made that bit up everything but the kitchen sink, and their old ones look like they've been run over by a truck . I don't do those. Most just want something simple , easy access. HS

Yep, you're right ,look familiar ? But with minor differences. I love my reverse, couldn't live without it now. that table looks almost identical to mine. Hinges are helpful when servicing . @DoallDad Just looking at those pics, has that been stored outside? Hope not. You might have to get on your butt with a torch and have a good look underneath . And whats with modification to the foot lift at the back? When serviced, they are a reliable machine. HS

' The game is a foot' , or in this case , financial trouble ' is afoot' . This may have absolutely no bearing on whats happening,.... or has it? https://www.marketbeat.com/stocks/NASDAQ/TLF/ (As of 05/10/2020 07:02 AM ET) Its all gobbledygook to me !! HS

In that case, make some pendants or some simple key rings with your logo etc. , and just put a hole in them ,no hardware ( keep costs down) and give them to your fellow students to ' advertise' . I'm sure they can find something to hang them with and somewhere to hang them? My gut instincts are telling me that they will come to you to have something made, just a thought? *Book marks perhaps? All students have books ? HS *p.s. make sure they are very well sealed, you don't want dye coming out onto expensive books.

That rang a bell. I think I have an old book from that period that does have those fashions in it, skirts , waist coats , etc. . I need to double check that. Leather craft was the ' in thing' in 70's . I have made gaskets for the carby on my old Fordson tractor. I made them out of thin veg tan scraps and a craft knife. Works just fine . Kept my ol' 51 going for bit longer HS

I'm not just good looking after all * polishes fingers on shirt* Just kidding. I just hope it helps, not just ' shoepatcher' but anyone else thats been on the hunt for a period of time. I downloaded it myself. And what a beautiful machine it is . HS

Theres a multitude of projects you can make if you're willing to take the time to make them. Small round or square pieces; fridge magnets or key rings , stamped, carved, or maybe with your logo on them to give away with each sale you make? Some even smaller pieces can be used for ear rings, I have had wood crafters buy odd veg tan scraps from me to turn into really nicely turned pens, or for an embellishment to a wood project . Long pieces; book marks, key rings , I've turned long pieces into ' secret plait key rings' . slightly longer pieces; attach each piece to make a belt using rivets or rings. Soft leathers; little dingly dangly thingies for tassles, for a purse, key ring or handbag. I could go on. Or, if you don't have the time, donate them to a school or charity where they can turn them into small projects, perhaps as a fund raiser? I'd rather give them away than throw them out. Hope this helps a bit

@shoepatcher I found this: https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/singer-ufa-pre294-manual-9660944 You may have to create an account? I hope its operations, not parts, fingers crossed eh? HS

Not a manual, but I did spot this: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/78162-a-singer-patcher-but-not-a-29k/ HS

Here in Oz, they were too expensive and I didn't like having to apply for ' club prices' , and I never applied, I simply went somewhere else where it was just cheaper , and trying to get wholesale , as in B2B , was like getting blood out of a stone . When I once spoke to the manager for wholesale pricing, he wasn't very helpful , unlike their established competitor , down the road, that were very accommodating. Needless to say TL in Australia didn't last . But I do think its a dying art . But then again, I would have thought more people would be interested in leather during these challenging times, but money is tight for many atm . Hope they can find a way out of this mess and keep trading, it won't affect me, but it will affect the thousands of leather crafters across the US and perhaps around the world . Watch this space I guess HS

I follow the Al Stohlman technique , billet & buckle end hand stitched , but with a rivet in between the keepers. I should take a few pics . HS

@Sheilajeanne would a foot massager/vibrator be of any use? they are supposed help with blood circulation, swelling , etc. Massage your feet while you work. Put one under your bench.( or even mix a tin of paint on it....just kidding) No doubt there'll be varying views on these gizmos, but just a thought? Although not as cheap as foot rest. HS

Unfortunately , Tandy in Oz, closed down quite a while ago.I did buy a few things from them at the time, but only when stuff was on special , otherwise they were too ex$y. No wonder they didn't last . I've just found out about the law suits: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/02/04/1979378/0/en/Lawsuit-for-Investors-in-Tandy-Leather-Factory-Inc-NASDAQ-TLF-announced-by-Shareholders-Foundation.html O'h dear !! HS

Law suits? Sounds messy. Sounds like Tandy are in a lot of trouble. This is an old report: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/01/29/1707221/0/en/Tandy-Leather-Factory-Reports-Q4-18-Sales-Up-1-0-Over-Prior-Year-4th-Quarter-Announces-Three-Store-Closures-and-Schedules-Earnings-Announcement-and-Conference-Call.html It does reference Texas HS