connerh04

I am going to resurrect this thread and hopefully someone with some info can provide input. I am looking for footbeds, and there appears to be a supply chain shortage across the board. Anybody have a source for the classic Birk footbeds right now? I was able to scoop up one pair a couple months ago but now it looks like everything has run dry.

I am located in WA, putting together a boot shop and in need of a post bed sewing machine. Doesn't have to be pretty, function is the main goal here. If you are in the PNW and have one sitting in the corner collecting dust...I would be happy to come grab it and put it to use. Shoot me a message if you've got something, thanks!

Here it is, from all my research so far I have come to find out it is most likely a Champion Model H - I am looking for the top roller, and a gear cover - I need blades too, but I haven't ordered them yet. I had reached out to shoe systems plus, and they do have a top roller for Landis, but I haven't checked the width of the roller and the OD of the shaft to make sure the fit is the same Landis/Champion. Seems like I could use an arbor bushing with a keyway, or talking to Bruce Johnson, he said he has a machine shop turn one out for him fairly reasonably. That gear cover though...would be nice to have, but I think it may be a pipe dream. (Added) I do have the stop collar for the cutting wheel also, I just took this picture as I was putting it together and realizing what big parts were missing.

So...it wasn’t too hard to put it together, but I believe I am missing some parts. So now I’m on the hunt...who’s got a junker?

I have no idea which cutter I have here it is an old 5 in 1. It was mid-restoration when I acquired it but now I need to figure out how to put the pieces back together. Anybody have manuals OR be willing to send me some pictures of the gears and guts of their own cutters? I found a messy drawing on shoe systems plus, but it doesn’t give me enough...any help is appreciated. I have a couple buckets of parts, I’ll try and add some pictures if I can figure it out.

I just wanted to give this a bump for anyone looking for one of these machines. He has bumped the asking price down to $1000 for these Ferdcos...

Yes, a table like that would be the cats meow...I would really like to find one somewhat locally to avoid what I can only assume would be some pretty hefty shipping charges... I received one e-mail from HB, I haven't inquired about parts yet, just asked for a catalog, but this isn't this first time I am hearing about possible poor service. We will see...How much of a Ferdco 2000 is unique to ferdco? Am I right in thinking that a lot of the parts can be picked up from other 441 machine companies? Juki or clones...

Ok this is good to know. So in theory...I could go either way with this machine with mounting as the head is the same - the the table would be all that changes. I do want access to the cylinder arm to some degree...but first priority is getting the function of everything squared away. If I have some time this weekend I will get those measurements for you. I think with some tweaking the clutch motor would be fine - but I think my learning curve would be shorter with a servo motor. I didn't get any parts when I initially purchased the machine - BUT - the guy that sold it to me says he has a lot of thread and stuff hanging around in the shop they came from, so there is a chance that I could grab some stuff from him, I would definitely like to get my hands on a few different feet and plates to try out. If not, I sent an e-mail to Ron Hoffman (Hoffman brothers) and they are ferdco, fully stocked with new machines and parts...

That's good info on the lettering, I was wondering what that all meant. These are cylinder machines, but they are just permanently mounted in these flatbed tables. Is that what the HHFB was? Or was it a true flatbed? And the presser foot thing your mentioning was probably due to their lack of concern sewing the webbing, not leather. I am no sewing machine guru..yet. I was definitely of the school of thought that these are some hardy machines and being a 441 clone, they are fixable.

Yeah I picked up one of those ferdcos, it operates smooth so far but they all have the clutch motor on them. The guy now has 2 left, they were from a place that was stitching tow straps and such. Hoffman has all the parts you would need to get it fixed up if needed, but parts are also fairly readily available through Leather machine co, or Juki. I am happy that I pulled the trigger, just need to figure out this table situation.