SteveBrambley

Hi Sandy I agree, I wouldn't have thought that particular machine would have been heavy enough to stitch through sole leather, either. However, the German machinery dealer who was selling that particular example quoted that it was " for stitching soles to shoes". Maybe light weight ladies shoes perhaps, but nothing too heavy. Although, like Singer, Pfaff made many different versions of the same basic machine which differered greatly in their stitching abilities, so anything's possible. Steve

Hi Ray, So you know Hartley, quite a character huh? A really nice guy. We bought our first Singer corner stitcher from him some years back, I travelled up to Walsall to collect it. His shop's quite unbelievable, an absolute Aladdins Cave! Steve

Thanks for posting all the old BU catalogues, I am always interested in the many different items of machinery they once produced. I don't suppose that you have ever come across any info on the BUSM 'Pilot' harness stitcher by any chance? I think this machine (see pic) is a lot later than those in your photos. Steve

I do think that you would be better off with reverse, if you can get it, reverse makes life that little bit easier. I can't comment on the Consew 225 or 290, however, I do use a Consew 206RB-1, which is also similar to the compound feed, alternating presser versions of the Singer 111 and 211. These are very good machines, but still not quite as well built as the Singers. The main advantage of the Consew 206 is that it has the larger capacity bobbin, I suspect that this is true of the 225 and 290, although, as I say, I have no experience of these two machines. The Singer 111 and 211 are, mechanically, very similar and have a number of common parts. Steve

Hi, We have a 211G166, 211G266 and a 211G256, which are all pretty similar and all have compound feed with alternating presser feet and reverse feed. They can just about handle a couple of layers of 7 or 8oz leather, although I wouldn't make a habit of using them for this. Singer recommended them for automotive work (upholstery) tents, awnings, leather coats, work gloves and similar articles so they are quite versatile. Parts are relatively cheap and plentiful. We have a 211G157 about somewhere, but this has only compound feed without the alternating pressers and less clearance, therefore I don't use it much. We also have a 211G146 which has only drop feed and a ball bearing roller presser. This is fine for shoes gloves, handbags and other medium weight leather goods, but no good for heavier stuff like motorcycle bags. Singer also produced versions of the 211G with underbed trimimming (211G457, 211G665, 211G666 etc.). Among the versions that came with large capacity bobbins were the 211G357 (similar to the 157), 211G358, 211G466 (similar to the 266). In my experience, all the 211G class of machines are very robust and will take a lot of abuse without falling apart, they were all made at Singers factory in Karlsruhe, Germany and are a lot better than the later 211U class that were made in Utsunomiga, Japan. Steve

Hi, I use a Singer 45Ksv100 corner stitcher to 'box stitch' the blocked ends into gunslips quite successfully. However, they are quite difficult machines to use and do take a lot of practice. Here's an example below. Steve

Hi Frida. You're welcome! If you have a problem with 3-phase, then there are 'Phase Converters' available that will allow you to run 3-phase machines from a single phase supply. However, this would, obviously, add to the initial cost of the machine. Most of our machines, here, have single phase motors. However, we do have several that need 3-phase, I run these using a 1/2 to 8hp static, phase converter. Steve

That's a standard, multi-purpose presser foot that is fitted to most alternating foot, compound feed machines. It looks like the smaller, right hand 'toe' has been ground off, to enable the guide to be closer to the work. I use this type of presser on most of my leather work, although there are better, made for the purpose, leather pressers available. Steve

Hi, The Pfaff 335 should be ideal for making handbags, it has an alternating presser, compound feed system which is perfect for leather work. I am not a Pfaff expert by any means, but, from the photo, it looks like it is fitted with a synchro binder system, which would also be useful for handbags. It also seems to be fitted with a stitch positioning and control motor, possibly an EfKa system, this would also be a of great help as it works in a similar way to a servo motor and can give very slow speed control. The only problem you might find is that the machine appears to run off of a 3-phase power system. Most machines, here in the UK, run from a single-phase system. Generally, only the larger factories use 3-phase, if you have access to a 3-phase supply, no problem. The Singer 132K is a heavy weight machine and wouldn't really be suitable for handbags. However, they are very good for closing leather hold-alls and similar larger bags. I'm sorry, I can't help you with the Pfaff 141 though. Steve

Excellent work, very fine indeed!

I'm not sure, but if it is anything like the 133K10 it's for darning sacks, tents, sheets etc. Steve

Hi, It takes a 214x2 NRTW needle, which is the same for quite a few Adler 205, 204, 105 and 104 sub classes and most of the Singer 45K sub classes. I have a manual for a Adler 205/204-64, if that is of any help? Steve

I couldn't agree more!! Steve

Excellent job, congratulations! Really nice colour. Steve

Hi Ray, I'm afraid that the only 'clone' machine with which I have had any experience is the Seiko STW-8B, which is more a clone of the older Singer 111 class, than the 211 class. However, they are very reliable, but, like the Singers, are generally only found as used machines. You might like to consider the 'Typical' GC20626-1CX, which is designed to take thick threads and, if our 'Typical' 441 clone is anything to go by, should be a good reliable choice, also, I should think, a lot cheaper than a Highlead. Steve

Thank you all, very much! Steve

Thank You. Steve

Hi, Here's a bag I completed a few days ago. A lady brought in to me a very old, much used, bag she asked me to copy for her, and this is the result. It's made from a 5-6oz, veg tan, Italian cow hide. It is lined with a combination of 2-3oz pig suede and a printed cotton fabric. Steve

Hi Ray, There are many medium to heavy weight flat bed machines that would be fine for your class of work, some you can pick up fairly cheaply. For many years I have used several sub classes of the old Singer 211G (211G166, 211G266, 211G256 etc.), which is a very reliable medium weight machine that can be picked up very cheaply and parts are plentiful. There is also the later, Japanese made, Singer 211U series that are also pretty good, though not quite as well finished as the earlier, German made, 211G. Steve

I would think that ALL the parts that you have there make it a Special Version! Steve

Hi Ray, These sound like the same standard No.9 Bifurcated rivets that I use here, they are easy to obtain as they are still in common use. As I said before, these machines can be adapted to take other rivet types as well, but bifurcated are the simplest and strongest to use. You can get them from a number of suppliers, but the cheapest seem to be from: OPAS (Southern) Ltd, Enterprise House, St. Lawrence Avenue, Worthing, Sussex BN14 7JH Tel: 01903 239955 or there website at: www.opas.co.uk They sell most other types of fittings as well. Steve

Hi Ray, Are you sure it's not "Revolution" rather than "Revelation"? Only, there was a firm called "Revolution" that made massive, cutting presses for shoe 'Bottom Stock' many years ago, I've only ever come across "Revelation" luggage. Most of these heavy duty riveters (similar to the two I have here) work pretty much the same, and can be used with a number of different kinds of rivet. Steve

Hi Ray, My Grandfather had one very similar to that, I believe he used it for cutting shoe soles and heels, using heavy, cast steel knives. I think it must have been too much work for him, as it went for scrap, which I always thought was a terrible shame, he then just cut his stuff by hand! Steve

Art, I think you will find that the 'W' Singer machines were made at the old 'Wheeler & Wilson' factory. Elizabethport machines seem to have no letter code, just a hyphen. Steve

Thanks for posting your pictures, that is a very interesting looking 45k variant. I would only be guessing as to it's original use, particularly with all those fantastic extra parts! The only thing I can think of, mainly because of the flat needle plate, is that it may have been designed for some specialist harness making purpose. The range of roller pressers seem to indicate the need to get very close to the edge of something. Steve