rchaven

Hello everyone out there in leather land. Hey I recently purchased a Thor GC-1541s and I love the way the machine sews. And yep before all you clone haters get on my case this was in my budget. I only have one single issue with the machine. That issue is getting additional bobbin cases. I want a case for each weight thread that I am using. This way whenever I change the weight of a thread I won't have to readjust the tension on the bobbin case. My previous machine was a gc-0303 which was a clone to a Juki 1181. I know another clone. Well I had several extra bobbin cases for this sewing machine and wanted to do the same for this new sewing machine. My issue is that although both the bobbins look the same with the offset opening in the case, what I am finding different is the diameter of the center hole that sits on the pin in the center of the hook assembly. My issue is that there seems to be the same part number being used by two different retailers online. The part number that I use for my GC-0303 and fits the Juki 1181 is part #18045 (fits large M bobbins) with a center hole diameter of 4.45mm, and what my Thor has for a center hole size is 4.50mm. Now this doesn't sound like much but its enough that the smaller bobbins won't fit on the Thor 1541s. Ok now this gets even more fun. I recently ordered some bobbin cases that are supposed to fit the Juki 1541, 1541s, 241, 246, however these also do not fit the Thor since they are the same center hole diameter even though they have a different part number of #B1837-241-H00. Now I recently found this bobbin case that is supposed to fit the same range of machines, however has a different part number #18096 with Alternate part numbers #18045, B1837241S00. How can bobbin cases with different part numbers fit the same range of machines? Are they the same bobbin case just under different numbers? Or does one or the other part number have the larger 0.05mm size?? I asked the dealer I purchased the machine from, however he finally posted this bobbin number up on his new Shopify website #18045, BC-DBM(2)NBL.. Doesn't anyone list the specs. on their bobbin cases? That way I could see which bobbin number had the proper diameter hole size for the center pin on the bobbin case?? I know, some of you are going to say you get what you pay for, but would I be going through this even with a Juki 1541s? Considering that I have now found 4 different bobbin numbers all supposedly fitting the Juki 1541, 1541s, 241, 246, and Consew 206RB. If the specifications of the bobbin case was listed on any of these sites then I could just read and pick the one with the correct size.. If anyone know who or what part number is correct I would be appreciative of them. I feel kind of dumb buying the Thor, however I've been looking at this machine for over a year. Why one would ask, mostly price and features. It has the duel tensioners, and the walking foot adjuster and is offered in a version with the speed reducer and drop down sewing guide all at a price that's a lot less then anything Juki has that's matches it. When I say a lot i'm talking $400-500 less then comparable name brand machine. Sadly I asked the seller if the Juki was that much better then the Thor and he was honest and said it was, however the Thor has a lot of bang for the buck. Perhaps when I'm able to afford a Juki i'll go with one, in the mean time I have to use what I got. And if it does what I need it to and works well enough then I will be perfectly happy with it. Its not the jaguar, but its my Kia and it will get me to work and back every day... Thanks, Person in need of mental relief.

Hey onathread, I don't mean to rock the boat as the saying goes, but what do you figure is just a bit more money?? Keystone sewing has the Juki 1541 listed at $1710 without speed reducer or anything else other then motor and table.. The Thor 1541s is only $1395 which is some amount less. Now I know your going to say that japan made vs china made, but what really is the difference. They both have to live up to ISO standards. Is it my imagination that the Thor 1541s has the foot height knob on top while the Juki 1541 does not? Or is it only the Juki 1508 that has the walking foot height adjuster knob on top? I think that would be a big difference when sewing leather of different thicknesses. But perhaps I'm wrong and not on the right page. That know and its adjustment was a big selling point for me. Has anyone that you know or that is on this forum done a direct comparison between the Thor 1541s and the Juki 1541s?? I'd be curious as to which proved to be better and at what price point.. Remember don't kill the messenger, as I'm just asking and If I don't ask I can't learn. My question is if one was on a limited budget what is wrong with the Thor??? thanks in advance..

Hello, if your supplying the materials, i.e. patches, velcro, then to sew them I'd do it for $1.50 a patch. I guess that would be fair depending on how fancy the sewing was to be. Please get back to me. Thanks, Perry PVNP Leather & Jewelry

By any chance do you have photo of the current cover. I suppose I may be interested however I'm clear across the country in Washington state.

I just got my new industrial walking foot machine. It's a New Tech GC-0303 which is a clone to the Juki DU-1181N. It came with a brushless servo motor with a separate control box. Out of the box the machine sews to fast for me at the lowest setting of the control box. I set it at "2" but when the petal is pressed the speed on the box says 500. So it's off by 300 rpm. When set to 10-15 or higher at lowest speed again 500 to fastest 1000-1500 or higher depending on what speed is set. I ordered a smaller 45mm wheel for the motor. Installed the smaller pulley with better slower speeds at the needle but the box still only goes to 500 even when speed is set at 2-4. Still not the stitch by stitch control I would like to have. So after looking at all the different variants of the SR2 speed reducer, Iand looking at $150-180 to my door, i decided to fabricate my own reducer. I did hours of internet research trying to find ideas for a simple inexpensive reducer. I decided to build my own and after collecting all the materials I got it built, installed and am very happy with the results. I now set my control box at 35 and sew as slow as I like and speed up to what ever speed I need, or can handle. Only a couple of things to mention, first I can no longer rock my machine back for access underneath. Also my needle positioning sensor no longer seems to work correctly. I have tried re adjusting it many times for both needle up and needle down positions with no luck. Thankfully it's no longer needed as I can easily control needle position with treadle. I would have loved to just have swapped out the motor pulley and hand wheel to achieve this option, however I dont think I would have achieved the same amount of needle torque. Sorry if my post is rather long. There isn't much good info out there about industrial walking foot machines and leather sewing in the mainstream internet. I suppose if I'd have found this site first last week my life may have been a bit easier.

Hello, I'm looking for this discontinued leather stamp from Tandy Leather. I have found all the other ones that go with it however for some reason this one is hard to find. So if anyone out there has one that's either a spare or not needed I would love to buy it from you for a fair price plus shipping. I know that this entire series of leather stamps are being discontinued from Tandy but you wouldn't think that at this point this one stamp would be so rare and hard to find. So please feel free to chime in if you have one or know where I can acquire one of these stamps. Thanks in advance. Perry

Hello, have you considered trying some oil based leather dye? pick a color of your choice and try it on a small spot out of the way and see if it works. Not sure if there is a protective finish on the over all furniture piece. Not sure what you could do otherwise. However when I was at the local leather store the other day they did have a product that said finish stripper on it. Not sure what it did. I'm sure if you have a local leather store they could give you some guidance. Also I'm sure someone else here on the forum could help. Also how about trying some good old saddle soap to clean the entire piece first. I hope these suggestions may help you. Good luck.