kgg

Here is a little comparison of what you can expect: 1) Amazon.ca listed C.S. Osborne Creaser @ $59.99 ( https://www.amazon.ca/C-S-Osborne-Creaser-Leather-Work/dp/B07GN9QX9T/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2HG68B9G82BXU&keywords=Osborne%2Bedge%2Bcreaser&qid=1648741108&sprefix=osborne%2Bedge%2Bcreaser%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-4&th=1 ) 2) Amazon.ca Lsted xxxx @ $22.06 ( https://www.amazon.ca/Leather-Creasing-Beveller-Professional-Trimming/dp/B09L5XX137/ref=sr_1_42?crid=2WAMG7HQ0LMSV&keywords=leather+edge+creaser&qid=1648741358&sprefix=leather+edge+creaser%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-42 ) Look at the pour casing and machining with all the pits of the Osborne Creaser. Something I wouldn't expect from a North American factory particularly with a plus $40 CA price difference when you add in the 1.13 sales tax. I wouldn't mind paying the extra if the item was of the same or better quality then the Chinese version but in this case it's not so. I wonder if Osborne contracted this item out to a second rate Chinese Factory. kgg

My take on the threading of your machine. I zoomed in on the photo's of your machines threading. What I noticed was: 1) The top thread post pin on top of the machine seems to have been replaced with a short two hole post a long while ago. This shorter pin has allowed the thread too cut a groove into the paint. This could on thin or soft thread rub /cut the fibers. 2) You are not threading the thread through the top vertical thread guide. 3) Since the bottom horizontal thread guide just before the needle has been missing for some time a groove has been cut into the paint. 4) The thread guide at the top of the needle appears to be missing. 5) The needle size is incorrect for V69 (Tex 70 / Tkt40) thread. Before replacing major items I would try: 1) Replace the top thread post pin on top of the machine with the longer 4 hole pin so the thread clears the body of the machine. If not, re-thread the pin in reverse so the thread enters the pin from the bottom hole and exits from the top to the first guide. Then enter the thread guide on the tension assembly through the top hole crossing over the guide so the thread enters the second hole in the direction of the button tensioner. I could not tell from the photos but I would venture to guess that there is a slight burr / groove cut in the second hole of the thread guide on the tension assembly. 2) Install a bottom horizontal thread guide. If you don't one a DIY guide made out of a piece of smooth wire like a large paper clip may work to protect the thread and keep it away from the body of the machine. 3) Install the thread guide at the top of the needle. Without this thread guide to keep the thread in the vertical position along the shaft of the needle you will never get good stitches. 4) Change the needle to a size 18 (110) or 19 (120). 5) Change the spool of thread as it maybe defective particularly if it is a cheap no name thread. kgg

A few photo's of your thread path along with the type and size of needle and thread would be helpful in figuring out what is happening. kgg

If it was in good working condition and would match what I wanted to sew, I wouldn't hesitate on getting it. The price is good. A good video to look at is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWvi1wYfc9A&t=28s kgg

There was one advertised back in 2018 that showed the nameplate with just the LU-1508 so maybe the older ones that didn't have the heavier capabilities were labeled without a letter after the 1508.

Do you have photo of the machine or nameplate? I did see a Chinese clone machine being advertised awhile ago and on a quick look the name was in the same place and style as Juki but had I think added a letter to the name. I thought it was done that way to give someone the impression it wasn't a clone. The nameplate on a Juki will clearly show the model as "LU-1508N" or "LU-1508N*" * being another letter. Another thing is the letter could have been worn/rubbed off. kgg

I agree with Hags but I would also try i) replacing the needle and ii) replace the thread with a fresh spool. Are you using an 8 oz spool or 1 lb spool of thread?

That edge dye roller looks really nice. kgg

A lot is going to depend on condition and price. A couple of photo's would be helpful. The Mach 3 use to be I think the house brand clone of Leighton's Industrial Sewing Machines out of Alberta. I am not sure if they are still in business so it would be wise to check. kgg

I just looked at the 4800 and it does have a pump but you still have to manually oil certain points on the machine. I am not sure what the pump is oiling. kgg

Looks good. kgg

The Seiko CW-8 you manually lub them. I don't know of a cylinder arm machine that has a oil pump. kgg

Sometimes I may only need a few of something but for a few dollars more I can get 50 so I will buy them as I will probably use them at some point. In these weird times if you find an item whether it is hobby related or not I buy more then I need because with my luck the next time I need one there will be none available. This morning I needed some dishwasher powder as I was almost out. I went to Wally World and they had none but our independent super market only had 5 so I took 4. My POS BOSH dishwasher only likes one brand and only likes powder. kgg

If I am not mistaken the newer release of the Juki 1541S has the "Knob" vs the older 1541S. I think that is why you are seeing the older versions being reduced in price. If you need the additional feature of the "knob" for your sewing needs then it is probably a good feature. My machine doesn't have that feature as it is about four years old even through the casing has the mounting holes, etc there in the top of the machine. The Juki 1541 is made in Japan vs the Consew I think is made in China by who ?? for Consew. The resale value of any clone down the road is going to be less then that of a similar model Juki and the Juki will be easier to sell. You should test drive both machines side by side to see which one is of the better quality / price for your needs. In the pass some of the clones of the Juki 1541 didn't have the same hook as the Juki so check and see if parts that fit the Juki will also fit the clone machine you are looking at. Remember some of the clones will rate the max thread of their machine by the size of max needle it can take. Juki rates there machine by the what it will sew using the max. thread in both the top and the bobbin in thick materials which is usually one thread size smaller then the max size needle capacity. Buy Once, Cry Once kgg

I don't know if this would work but another option which may work is if you move the clevis holding the needle bar at the top of the head like people do to convert their Chinese shoe patcher's to accept 135 x 16 needle system. They go from a shorter needle to a longer needle by moving the clevis up on the needle bar up about 5mm. In your case, you would want to move it down to accept a smaller, lengthwise, needle. A reference video on youtube to do this for the Chinese patcher. kgg

Your setup now is basically the same as the $1400 Sailrite Leatherwork (www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Leatherwork-Sewing-Machine-Package-110V ). If you need / want to get the speed even slower I would suggest a speed reducer pulley combination. A good reference for sizing pulley combinations can be found at www.blocklayer.com/pulley-belteng.aspx . kgg

I agree, doesn't pass the smell test and at 45 percent of the cost to get a new one with the tax, shipping and exchange included for a clone not a great price. A 30 percent would I think be more inline for a clone. kgg

Also there is a third option in the one armed bandits the Cub by Weaver. kgg

How would you interpret this ad for a Cobra Class 3 sewing machine I recently seen advertise on Kijiji. https://www.kijiji.ca/v-hobbies-craft/brantford/leather-sewing-machine/1609374026 Machine has a warranty, new machine, price, etc.???? Maybe someone in Ontario would be interested in this machine. I have no association or interest in this machine. kgg

What I have noticed when order stuff from Amazon is over the last year some of the sellers are really terrible for getting stuff out to you and has become a hit or miss unless you order items that they fulfill and you have a prime membership. When it sold by china joe reseller and they use someday maybe courier chances are you aren't going to get it. I recently ordered some size 12 (1/4") open pronged snap fasteners from a US seller which didn't arrive. So I emailed the US seller and they emailed me back with a tracking number and some fly by night courier. Guess what it was going to Calgary, I'm in Ontario a couple of provinces east. So I emailed them again this time they gave me a different tracking number and said the first number was a mistake so give it another week. My response was it is two weeks late, give me my money back. Should have just ordered it directly off Aliababa probably would have had it in under a week. kgg

Interesting. They look like copies of the old domestic Singers. You gotta love the lack of safety footwear or masks. kgg

Excellent video of the old iron. kgg

You need to have more top thread through the needle and hold the end of the top thread so the end of the thread does not go down inside the arm. A loop has to be dragged back and over the bobbin area to catch the bobbin thread. kgg

You have a electronic brush-less motor with a digital control panel where as a the brush type servo motors have a speed dial mounted to the motor. I would first check your manual as it my have a slow start programmed for initial startups. The solution would be to reprogram the control panel settings. If the motor has a odor like something burnt then the servo motor setup needs to be replaced. The whining or a high pitched noise properly indicates a bearing problem due to lack of proper lubrication or wear which may have been caused by to much belt tension being place on the servo motors drive pulley. The solution would be to replace the servo motor setup with a good 12 coil brush-less servo motor setup (more internal coils the better performance) or a brush type with a simple rheostat speed control dial mounted on the motor. kgg

If they are the plastic type someone with a 3D printer should be able to make one fairly easily as long as they had an original to work from. However, the design labor cost to replicate the clip will probably be a lot more expensive then just replacing the suspenders. I would contact Perry Belt company as some of their clips are guaranteed for life. kgg