kgg

It is going to be very interesting to see what happens as people/manufacturers become whelped off the less expensive materials/products from China that for a lot of items have a short serviceable life span. Everything from a simple screw to highly technical equipment. What ever happened to washers that lasted 15 years not 5 years? With the tariffs increasing I would guess some company's will move their manufacturing to the US or other countries not effected / less effected by the tariffs while some other products/materials will just be sourced from other non/lesser tariffed countries. Personally I like to source materials/products made in my own province where possible, then the rest of Canada, then the US and then I move on from there. Example I needed a 100 running yards of 5' wide Sherpa in a particular weight, density and with a particular stiffness to the back. No manufacturers left in Canada, cost way to prohibitive in the US with only two manufacturers left and the Chinese material was of much lesser quality then what I would consider. I considered the Chinese material as a one of use then throw it away type product. My supplier tracked down a South American supplier that meet what I wanted at a reasonable price, costing less then the US product and much more then the Chinese. Sometimes purchasing products made in Canada can be frustrating as sometimes they are cheaper to buy in the US. Example is a gas tank for my friends Toyota 4x4 with the replacement tank made in Quebec. It was cheaper to purchase the Quebec made tank in upper New York State, tagged as made in Quebec, even with paying the higher rate of exchange, duty and transporting it back to Canada. Go figure. kgg

Thanks dikman the discs were actually purchase at Homedepot. They are normally used for being screwed to the bottoms of chair legs but they were 1" (25mm) outside diameter which is the inside diameter of the plastic shafts of the 8 oz and 1 lb spools that I have. The spools do slide snugly over them and they grip / hold nicely but a real bearing with a rubber ring, which I couldn't find, would be much better. Maybe the next time I get a chance I will look in a hobby shop for a wheel and tire from a toy like a hot wheels might work better.

Don't forget a good straight edges. I have three that I use a lot, one is a salvage piece flat Aluminium about 64" long x 4" flat for clamping to the worktable for long cuts / markings, another is a 48" T-square (normally used for marking drywall) and the one I use a lot is a 36"x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" Aluminium angle iron for marking/cutting. kgg

Battleax I think is onto something. Not only will the mechanic be able to help get it running correctly but to give the machine a good go over to determine if there are any other issues. kgg

Thanks Gymnast, originally it was to try and figure out how to solve a problem. Me being me was it something I was or wasn't doing, was it the machine, was it the needle, thread or the thread path. Then it just seemed to take on a life of it's own. I think that a lot of the tension of thread on the spool has to do with mostly the manufacturing process everything from dying / drying to putting it actually on the spools which can varying slightly from one run to the next as well from one manufacturer to the next. Some can be overcome by changing the tension on the thread at the horizontal thread guide ( located between the vertical thread pin and the main tension disc ). Changing the number and direction the thread is threaded through the 4 holes in the horizontal thread guide and the 2 holes in the vertical guide pin. I will have to at some point fiddle with this just to see if there is any noticeable difference. I did a quick look at the newer Singer 44xx series and yes they do take the thread from the end of the horizontally mounted small spool. To me they are using the oversized end cap to secure the spool in place while guiding and lifting the thread slightly above the body of the spool as it comes off the spool. This series also has a vertical pin that can be used for mounting thread for the bobbin winder and suspect could also be used for the needle thread. I just don't know if with thread that is either bonded or non bonded below V69 on such small spools has much twisting or spring back to worry about and maybe of no concern for the domestic user. kgg

If possible it would be helpful if you could post a couple of pictures of the part that fell off and your thread path or a link to a video. That way someone my be able to give you some ideas as to what is going on with your new machine. kgg

As request by dikman the following are some photo's of my semi final more refined thread stand that has eliminated the problems I was having with the 8 oz spools of bonded nylon thread particularly the black. This thread stand allows for upwards of 5 - 1 lb or 8 oz spools to be configured in a small space replacing the standard 2 spool thread stand with a straighter thread flow to the thread pin on top of the sewing machine. The thread stand can be clamped to any location on the table. For this exercise my versions are clamped on the front while the standard thread stand is in the background in it's normal mounting position with 2 spools on its platform. Photo 1. Shows a inexpensive method of allowing the spool to spin horizontally while reducing the overall surface contact of the interior of the spool shaft on the horizontal supporting rod. These two rub discs have a metal centre, are slightly bevelled on one end and grip fairly tightly the interior of the plastic shaft of either 8 oz or 1 lb spools. Photo 2. Shows a inexpensive method of individually preventing the three 1lb thread spools from moving around on the main thread spool platform. They are copper pipe straps with a hole drilled in the centre which can be adjusted up or down to properly grab the interior of the plastic shaft of either 8 oz or 1 lb spools. The platform is 3m board with 3mm high density rubber glued to it. Photo 3. Shows a 8 oz and a 1 lb spool placed on the horizontal supporting rod as well as the main horizontal thread take-off and thread guide eyes. Photo 4. Shows the first version of the thread stand just concentrating on solving the uncoiling problem that I was having with 8 0z bonded nylon. Photo 5. Shows the newer version on the left and the first version on the right. The height over the top of the 1 lb spools to the horizontal main thread take-off is approximated 1.5 times the 1 lb spool height which can be increased to approximated 3 times or deceased as need. As a side note I am thinking about getting a 5 or 6 string serger and think this thread stand arrangement or some other hair brain variant may work. I hate the thread arrangement and multi rods on sergers. Seems to me to be a waste of space and should be mounted on the right hand side of the serger with a more direct access to the tensioners. Thoughts, comments or discussion are always welcomed and encouraged. kgg

While on this topic I do have a question. What ever happened to the Windham Cub? kgg

The one arm bandits are good machines for what they were designed for and appeal /needed by a limited group of users. I think it is going to depend on what you are planning on doing with the machine. 1. How thick a leather you are going to be using it to sew, wallet /upholstery weight or holster weight or a combination? In my option a machine that does a good job with wallet /upholstery weight material will not work on holster weight and a machine that does good work on thick holster weight material would probably chew the hell out of wallet /upholstery weight material without having to make changes to adjustments which in itself could be frustrating. 2. Doing most all your at home / work with electricity readily available or on the road / shows where it is either none existent or stretchy or off grid? If most of your work is done where electricity is available then go with a regular machine capable of doing your stuff as your productivity would be greater and look for a used one for the occasional use on the road or vis versa. For me pulling that lever every time would be just too frustrating a task particularly knowing that I am never going hit the jackpot. kgg

Obviously there are no instructions that came with your new machine and table so I would wonder as to what service/parts/accessories you are going to get down the road. You could check online maybe one of the manual sites has a pdf listed. Buying equipment like this from Ebay, Amazon, Alibaba, and many other sites can be great dollar wise saving for the experienced user but can be discouraging for others. I would contact the seller as well as Amazon and ask them or just return it to Amazon for a refund and buy a similar machine from a brick and mortar dealer. kgg

Using steam may work very well just I never thought of that method but would probably work. Rather then using a steam kettle maybe try a regular steam iron with a damp cotton cloth much like pressing a pair of pants with a nasty crease it may give you better control. That way you force the steam right though as well as combining it with heat and see what happens. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. kgg

What I would try is what I would basically do when show grooming my dogs by shampooing it with a good shampoo that has conditioner in it. If you are unbraiding the hair: Shampoo, rinse with warm water then repeat. Usually the first shampooing will not foam and maybe not even the second or third time. It will depend on how dirty the hair is, how hard your water is and how concentrated the shampoo is. When the hair is clean two things will happen 1. shampoo will foam with a very light scrubbing and when you rinse with a fine mist of water there will be very small water beading visible on the hair. Then hang it like you would clothes on a clothes line. Slowly dry with medium heat from a hair dryer and while drying use a good greyhound comb or soft brush. You may have to use a curling iron to straighten the real bad kinks. When finished drying weight it down on the ends and leave to hang until it is totally dry, it may remain damp for a day. If you are leaving it braided: Shampoo and hang as above but drying is going to be more intensive with no brushing or combing involved all hair dryer type work and no curling iron. I use too groom a fairly rare breed dog ( Bergamasco dog ) that has 3 coats that naturally braided and it took 24 -36 hours to completely dry. The problem I can see is that if you do not get the braided hair dry to the centre core it will rot and eventually stink. kgg

I am hoping maybe sometime this weekend to get a couple of photos my my newer design and post them. It is going to mainly depend on the weather and how sore I am. In the process of clearly and levelling a small 300 ft x 600 ft piece of my property that is forested with 60' trees and rock for dog training. I think as far as that the thread popping out of the tensioner this maybe more to due with the thread being loose with the only resistance to the thread being as it rubs along the side of the top body of the machine. Originally the thread would have been on a small wooden domestic size spool setting vertically on a felt pad on top of the machine, giving the thread some resistance as it was pulled off and spun the spool. Adding a second tensioner I think is providing back tension helping to keep the thread stretched to prevent spring back. These little domestic machines can surprise you as to what they are capable of and like Gymnast I have pushed some of the old Singers way pass their intended use with V92 thread. When any machine is pushed to the limit everything has to be just right, top and bottom thread tension, timing etc. For my purposes a good bonded polyester is the way to go but I don't always like/want to purchase 1 lb spools in various colours that may not get readily used and just gather dust. So for me I am always interested in seeing all information / discussion on thread, thread sizes, thread paths, thread problems, thread manufacturers, thread reviews, problem solutions, videos, pictures, etc it always catches my attention. kgg

Good video I enjoyed it. I suspect that the short thread run across the top of the machine to the tensioner doesn't help with the twisting. What I found using 8 oz spools of bonded black nylon and with the spool in the typical vertical position the thread had enough spring back on some spools to actually coil around the bottom of the spool and jam. This I figure has a lot to due with the matter in which the thread is spun on the spool at the factory and black seems stiffer probably do to the dying process. I don't have this problem with the larger 1lb spools of bonded polyester. My solution was to mount any spools that are of the 8 oz size horizontally and let the thread come off from the more natural position with no noticeable spring back. The only thing I had to do was make some minor adjustment to the top thread tensioner to compensate for the slight increase in resistance of the weight of the spool and gravity. I have mostly converted from bonded nylon to bonded polyester thread for this reason and some other factors as well as only occasionally using 8oz spools. The topic " Bonded Nylon thread 8 oz uncoiling solution " will show some pictures of my first go at a easy cheap solution which I have since completely redone, modified, added rollers for mounting two 8 oz spools horizontally and incorporated a platform to accommodate three 1lb spools. kgg

A couple of pictures would be nice for someone to be able to give you some advice. kgg

This link is of a video showing Lynn Macnab of preparing and brain tanning a hide that you maybe interested in. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/relying-on-brainpower-leatherworker-gives-the-boot-to-modern-methods kgg

Don't forget to check and see if they are legal in your state or other states you may send one or carry one. kgg

Lighting is for the most part a very individual perception, to much for someone isn't quite enough for another. With my cutting area the swing away (cheap IKEA) can be moved up/down or from side to side depending on what I think I need. Depending also if I am doing something during the day or night as the room has a window giving some natural light. The number of lights in the multi socket can be quickly changed. All the lights in every fixture throughout the house are LED so they don't get hot like the old fashion incandescent bulbs which makes changing them easier and besides they are more energy efficient (~10 watt LED = ~60 watt incandescent). On my machine I have a small adjustable magnetic light to give more light to the needle area as well I have a swing away light mounted to the back of the table for times I need a little extra. The area the sewing machine is located in the room doesn't quite get enough light from the rooms main three bulb ceiling light fixture.

I agree doing it one step at a time is a good thing particularly since you were planning on adding a sewing machine in the future. Some things may need to be changed, rearranged or added. The lighting that you have installed may work great for hand stitching items but when you decide to go with a machine you may have to go with something that can be easily shifted or additional lighting that can be more focused on the needle of the machine. I made the mistake of putting permanent lighting over where I planned to put a workbench in the basement and eventually had to put the damn workbench on wheels to get what I considered good lighting. Should have used the workbench with temporary lighting first then install permenant lighting, live and learn. kgg

Comma44 I agree with Mikesc a coat of white paint will make the world of difference to the overall feel to the work area. I would mount a couple of 2x4 to the concrete walls and nail some plywood (painted white) to them for hanging stuff like tools, power bar, gun blanks, etc. For standing comfort on the concrete floor put a anti fatigue matt down. kgg

Good for you Smartee we have been doing Raw for the last 30 years with our dogs. When my wife and I got our first pure bred we followed our vets recommendation as far as food went, spared no expense he had to have the best the vet could supply and ignored what our parents / grandparents had done. We lived in a place that kibble didn't appear on the scene until the 1970's. What a mistake for the dog and I swear I put that vets kid through college. Finally with the dog at deaths door we said enough is enough and went back to the old ways of feeding. Have never looked back since. How do people think we fed our dogs before kibble? kgg

Williaty, my experience with the bird nest on the bottom, was that the bobbin tension wasn't right and had to be readjusted. It also depended not only the size of thread but whether it was bonded nylon or bonded polyester and whether it was near the end of the thread on the bobbin. The colour of the thread also played a role particularly black bonded nylon. I have had most of my problems using the 8 oz size spools of bonded nylon thread particularly black, black seems stiffer with more spring-back as it uncoils from the main spool and as it uncoils from the bobbin then bonded polyester. The thread on some 8 oz spools would even spring-back enough to coil under the bottom of the 8 oz spool and jam. To overcome this when I am using thread from any 8 oz spool regardless of colour or type of thread I mount it horizontally to get a more even, smoother thread take off with no spring-back from the spool for the top thread and for when winding the bobbin. kgg

I do have a couple of questions? Does this occur just with cordura? Have you tried stopping the forward sewing before reversing or are you just depressing the reverse lever while it is still sewing forward? Does this happen when you are sewing at a real slow speed or only when at max. speed? You said you are using 135x17 needle but what size and how often are you changing the needle? Are you using bonded nylon or bonded polyester thread? A couple of suggestions to try. Try it with same number of layers of softer fabric as a test to see if it does the same thing. For V69 thread you should be normally using a #18 needle. I have had to sometimes use a size #20 needle, depending on the number of layers of 1200 denier ripstop I was trying to sew to get a good stitch. I find with ripstop (more waterproof) and I assume the same with cordura (more abrasive resistant) that type of material has a tendency to dull and bend needles fairly quickly. If possible can you do a picture of your thread path for the top thread sometimes incorrect top thread paths can cause weird top tension problems with stitches as well as worn tension check springs. kgg

A hard lesson learned by some FB users who are addicted to letting their "friends" know what is going on in their daily lives moment by moment do count downs. Vacation count downs to when, where and for how long they plan to go for. Guess what their homes / apartments get visited and their stuff magically disappears. The crooks were able to schedule an leisurely uninterrupted visit. To harden the lessen their insurance company looks at their page and doesn't cover their loss, who says your digital footprint doesn't count. kgg

It is the sign of the times, the more outlandish the view/action I think the more people are afraid of saying something just in case it may offend someone or even worse themselves be targeted. The 1%er's use to be the not so friendly biker clubs and other outcasts of society now it's the socially inept bubble wrapped snowflakes. When people wake up and realize that their facey book "friends" will eat them alive in a heartbeat things my change back to some form of normality. Just wait and see what happens when the smart home assistants get really refined and become as normal as today's cell phone. kgg