kgg

First off it really depends on what you want to sew. Which is ??? Keep in mind i) the machine could date back to the mid 1930's and with all PFAFF machines parts can be expensive if available. ii) Chances are it has a clutch motor which really needs to be replace with a servo motor and that will cost about an additional $200 USD. Personally I would not consider paying a $1000 USD plus $200 for a motor for a machine that old. If you tell us what items you want to sew there are better options available. kgg

Have you complained to the seller / vendor as they may not be aware of the rancid problem??? kgg

I watched your video and here is my two cents worth. i) When you started you did not hold the thread properly to prevent thread movement (Top and Bobbin) like you did at the 5:54 mark. ii) At the 3.10 mark you can see the top thread (black thread) gets pulled in slightly which is causing a slack in the top thread and causing a jam at the 3:20 mark. iii) You did not back stitch after three stitches to lock the thread before starting your seam. iv) When you finish the seam you are not back stitching to lock the thread. v) With a thin piece of material like what you are using in the video there is almost not space to bury the bobbin thread knot in the material particularly with thicker thread and vinyl is a sticky material as far as the thread is concerned and will want to catch on the sides of the hole the needle makes. Keep in mind for every hole of each stitch you have the thickness of three threads (top thread and the two halves of the bobbin loop). vi) When finishing the seam and after back stitching try hand wheeling the needle up to the point where the tension disc release before removing the material. What size of needle are you using???? What size of thread??? kgg

To me it is like the old singer screw threads and the Juki screw threads being their own design. I would go to a machinist and have them determine the thread size and possible solution. It appears that they want people to buy their accessories with their thread configuration and hope no one does a conversion adapter so cheaper alternatives could be used. kgg

A couple of questions: i) What are you trying to sew?? Leather or fabric and how thick?? ii) What size of thread are you using as a top thread?? iii) What size of thread in the bobbin?? A few photo's of the top threading from the thread spool to the eye of the needle would really be helpful in narrowing the problem down. Assuming your hook to needle timing is correct check i) incorrect threading ii) damaged bobbin case iii) faulty bobbin or installed backwards iv) improper tension settings bobbin and top thread v) needle bent vi) wrong system needle. 135 X 17 X needle size is for fabric and 135 X 16 X needle size is for leather, vii) wrong size of needle vs thread size viii) dull or bent bent needle ix) debris buildup in or under the bobbin area. x) threads (bobbin and top thread) not being held for the first few stitches before being back stitched and locked. kgg

The Singer 66 and 99 are domestic sewing machines. I wouldn't waste my time or money on trying to sew the veg tan to a hair on cowhide. What size of thread are you planning on using and how thick in total (veg tan plus the hair on cowhide) be?? kgg

I would suggest a couple more photo's with no thread in the needle, the needle plate removed showing the position of the needle as the hook enters the Scarf ( indentation / cutout ) of the needle to catch the top thread. If the hook to needle timing is off you will get skipped stitches. kgg

What country are you in?? A link to where you bought it would be helpful so someone else doesn't buy it by mistake. kgg

My way would be: i) Oil ii) Dye iii) Oil What I would do is: i) oil the leather as evenly as possible and let it rest for 24 hrs or so to get absorbed evenly. ii) Mix the dye with 50 % thinner and 50 % dye as a good starting point. I use 99% Rubbing Alcohol with Fiebing's Dye iii) Airbrush the dye on in thin coats to get an even coating and let sit for 24 hrs. iv) Oil again Note: i) I am not sure how mink oil will work as I don't use it so you should experiment on some scrape first. ii) If you have some black dye and want to darken the Angelus Ox Blood up a shape or two try adding about 2 to 5 % Black to the dye mix before adding thinner. Once again experiment on some scrape first. kgg

I agree the only thing I do different is I use 100 % pure organic JOJOBA oil first then dye then re-oil. I have gotten away from using a dabber, sponge, brush and dipping for the dying process and have converted to airbrushing when dying. I am also experimenting with airbrushing the JOJOBA oil. You may have some success with heating the Red shoe polish with a hair dryer to get it to suck into the leather and then apply the mink oil. I haven't tried this myself so I don't know if it will work. kgg

Quick thoughts: i) what is your budget? ii) Flat items like dog collars are probably best done on a flatbed machine. iii) How thick of a collar will you want to sew? iv) What size of thread do you want to use? v) For your first machine I would suggest going to a industrial sewing machine dealer. That way you know the machine is in working order. Be wary of machines being sold on places like Facebook unless you have someone to go over the machine for you. Sometimes you get a great machine other times you get a boat anchor. kgg

I think on the internet with the so called "Experts ", "Influencers" and "Doctor Google" it is difficult for a lot of new people to get the necessary solid information. The days of mentorship within the dog fanciers / pure breed breeders / dog show people has long gone by the wayside. This has only gotten worst since the China Cough with a lot of people lacking common sense, being more demanding and entitled. That maybe just me as I'm an old geezer. kgg

I know nothing about horse related items other then to say the workmanship is very nicely done. I see the same type of "cranky" comments about prong collars for dogs. kgg

My take away is never ever trust someone else's measurements unless you get in writing and tell them if it is to short or long it's on them. Otherwise it is just too much wasted time / effort/ leather particularly something personalized or tooled should it go south. kgg

I would go to your local hardware / auto store and see what they have. If the new one is to short / long exchange it for another. kgg

Just to add to this. @girlscout4 1. The needle has to be installed so the Groove (long channel on the shank) on the needle is to the left and the Scarf ( indentation / cutout ) on the right hand side as you look at it when sitting in front of the machine ready to sew. 2. You need to use a 135 x 16 x # needle for sewing leather. I think you maybe using a 135 x 17 x # needle which are made for fabric and will give you blowout on the underside. 3. You never said what size of thread and needle you are using. What size??? 4. A good thread to needle size chart can be found here ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html ) kgg

I don't think it will but that brings up the point is the needle bent or there is a lot of slop or a bend in the needle bar. Frankly I am surprised the hook is catching the top thread at all. The only thing I can figure is the top thread has so much slack the hook is somehow picking it up most times. kgg

A couple of problems I found with your threading of the top thread. Without these corrected you will never get good stitching. 1. The needle is installed backwards. 2. Needle bar thread guide is missing. kgg

I would suggest taking a couple of photo's showing your top threading from the spool of thread to the eye of the needle. I figure it is incorrect threading of the top thread or a top thread tension issue. kgg

Looks very good. Making it smaller may reduce the torque at the head. Neater will that is in the eye of the beholder. I think you did well it is clean and most importantly functional. Job well done. kgg

Nicely done article, your products are natural and sold in CAD funds. kgg

This was a female spaded English Bulldog about 60lbs. There seems to be more of the Bull "dogge" type dogs like the American and Olde English around then the English Bulldog. What appears to be creeping in is the unpredictability similar to Cocker madness and Springer rage. kgg

Damn nice job. You will certainly stand out at the pub with that hat. kgg

As a inlay it looks really good and is standing the test of time. How thick is the salmon leather? 1, 2, 3mm? kgg

Very interesting. What products have you made with the skins? kgg