Cobra Steve

RDB, hey buddy, some of the places in the San Fernando Valley are nice too, besides, it can't be all bad if you were close to me!! lol Steve

Hi gavingear, nice set up and video. You should put a smaller belt from the motor to the speed reducer so you can utilize your belt tightening capabilities. Steve

C'mon Kiwi, you just held a frame around a horses head and took a picture, didn't you!!! Great job. Steve

Hi Shorts, BOOMSTICKHolsters, and everyone else, hope all is well. Tim at Zack White Leather is one of the good guys in our industry and will go out of his way for you. I agree...Quality is job one! Not only with products, but with everything else that goes into running a business. "Credibility is to valuable to risk losing". These are the words of my father. Thanks, Steve

Hi Dana, what Ryan said is true. I think your hook timing or possibly your feed timing (and maybe both) are off a little bit. If the feed timing is off, then the machine will not pull the thread up. This is also true if the feed dog is too high. A local industrial sewing machine mechanic should be able to take care of these problems. Thanks, Steve

Hi Andrew, try calling Arnold at Melanie Machine Co. at 1-800-894-9268, tell him that Steve sent you. Thanks.

filluptieu, you need a case or cabinet because the machine will vibrate, and move while you sew. Thanks, Steve

Hi filluptieu, hope all is well. The Singer 15-91 is one of many great sewing machines that Singer made. I didn't see a portable case or cabinet, which you will need to use the machine properly. Your best bet is to take it to a reputable dealer so they can do the work that needs to be done. Depending on how sophisticated the shop is, they should have the correct needles, and thread that you will need. There is a Schmetz leather point needle for home machines and different weight threads as well. You are pusing it though if you want to sew 2 4oz. pieces of leather together, it will do it but for how long? Hope this helps. Thank you, Steve

Uncle Bubba, the Singer 111W155 and the Consew 225 are basically the same machine. Both are great machines. Neither one has reverse. If you are going to use for leather, you will probably will have to change the motor and possibly add a speed reducer if you want it to perform the way a true leather stitcher does. Other than that, they will last a long time, and parts are always available. Thanks, Steve

HI Fraser, Art is right, most sewing machine stores carry this leather belt. It is called a treadle belt. Thanks, Steve

Hi Joel, there are some books out there but most of them (that I know of) are for spcific categories, like Holster Making, or Saddle Making, I am not sure if there is a book on "General Leather Sewing", but if there is, I will do my best to find it. Thanks, Steve

VonFuct, here is the phone# for Snug Cue Case: 1-770-560-7988. Hope this helps. Thanks, Steve

Hey VonFuct, TwinOaks is probably right, but if it doesn't work there is a company in Atlanta GA. named Snug Cue Case that might be able to help. I have his number at work. I will send it to you on Monday. Thanks, Steve

Hey Eric, Steve H. is right. Also make sure that the roller foot is coming all the way down on the plate. With some roller feet, you may have to adjust the height of the foot. Thanks, Steve

Hey Randy, it will be nice to see you and your son again, Steve It will be good to see all of you again, Steve

Kustom, most of the time it means made in different parts of the world. From Canada, to Great Britain to South America etc... Thanks, Steve

Hey M.B., great machine but I'm interested in your 350 Nova!!! If you ever need help with your machine, call me at 1-866-962-9880. Thanks, Steve

Hi Joel, you might want to call Dan at Campbell Bosworth 1-800-327-9420. There might be a device that helps remove excess wax before it gets to the needle. Tell him Steve sent you. Thanks

Hey all, I'll be there as well. Come by my booth, I'd like to meet you. Thanks, Steve

Hi Dan, most chap makers use 138 bonded nylon on top and in the bobbin and some even use 207 on top, but do not use anything larger than a 138 in the bobbin. It all depends on the customer. Thanks, Steve

Hi MADMAX22, try Dick Cizek (formerly of Rice Thread) at AH Brands. 1-803-684-7755. He will have it or he will know where to get it. Try him on his cell also 1-413-446-1686. Thanks, Steve

Hi Dan, the machine is too light for what you want, especially if you want to use a 207 or 277 thread. It will sew lighter things with ease though. I wouldn't sew anything heavier than 14 to 16 oz. Yes it might sew a little heavier, but for how long, it's like going over speed bumps at 40 mph. It will work, but for how long. Thanks, Steve

Steve, there are many factories that copy the 618 style machine, if it doesn't have the -1 at the end of the 618, then it is the machine with no safety clutch. It still may be a copy. Thanks, Steve

Boy what a gem! I have been in the Sewing Machine business for almost 37 years and this is the 2nd one that I have seen. The first was on a Pfaff 145, and it to, worked great! Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Steve

Hey Regis, to answer your question regarding "should a machine be able to sew anything that will fit under the foot". The answer is no, not correctly or feasable anyway. Lets say that the foot will lift 1/2", which the Class 18, 618, 1541 all will, doesn't mean that the machine will sew 1/2". The problem lies with the thread. To sew 1/2" skirting leather, or holster or sheaths, you will need a 277 thread and a # 24 or #25 needle, and these machines are not designed to do this. Yes they will sew chap leather, but who sews 1/2" chap leather? Your best bet is to realize that the machines will do what they are designed to do very well, but as soon as you start thinking that they may do more is when you start to get into trouble. Keep it simple... limit what you sew on these machines to 3/8" of anything, with a 138 on top, (207 maximum), on top, and 138 in the bobbin with a # 22, (#23 maximum), needle, and you will be fine. If you want to sew heavier than this, then it is time to jump to the Class 3 or Class 4 style machines. THanks, Steve