stitchers1

My thoughts, It will all depend on how much money you have to spend. The Juki 555 (early 80's) is probably alot newer than the consew 18. (early 60's machine). About 3/8" of lift as sews 5/16". You could change the needle system to a 135 X 16 and sew a little more but you would have to take out the upper tension release pin as well to sew maximum lift of the machine. Probably pushing the max with either one. Like medic says, a walking foot is better, but they cost more too unless you can steal one somewhere. if toledo or some of the other sewing machines guys had a 400.00 walking foot like a consew 206, 226 or Juki LU-563, you would have probably got an email from one of them by now. Thing to remember - check the RPMs of the motor when you look at used machines. You dont want a motor rated at 3450 RPM's if you can help it. It will run fast. DC Servos are the only way to go and if you can, put a speedreducer on it for that extra slow speed. That will cost you another 2 to 3 hundred bucks but is worth every penny. Goood Stitching stitcher1

The 3 cord thread is about half way between a 207 size thread and a 277 size machine thread. Your needle is too small. You can try spraying a leather conditioner on the thread until you can get the machine thread in the sizes you want to use. It should reduce some of the fraying that occurs. cuttersexchange.com is the place to get a downloadable manual for that machine. You can get the parts list there too. Presser feet shouldnt cost any more than what you have been told in the last few emails. You can also get alot of the singer parts at Pilgrims. They have a large supply of needles, parts and maybe even so prewound bobbins for that machine. Great Find! Good stitching stitcher1

You may check, That machine should take a 7 x 3 or 794 needle system. Didnt see many with a 328 needle system. Cylinder arm looks too big to take a 135 x 16 or 135 x 17 needle. get the manual at cuttersexchange.com and check the needle system. Good Stitching. - Great Find stitcher1

What machine do you have?

The singer 153-103 is a cylinder arm walking foot sewing machine. If it is black it is a 40's -50's machine. if its grey and some black, it is a 60's early 70's machine. It is the flat-bed version of the Singer 111W155 - flat-bed walking foot needle feed and a feed dog. Most of the parts are still available for them but I dont see many of them anymore. The machine will sew up to 3/8's and has a 135 X 16 needle system in the mahcine. Largest thread size is a 207 top thread and a 138 bobbin thread. The silver button on the cylinder arm is a saftey clutch to reset the hook if you jam the machine. The 144 can be a couple of different models. The SV in the model # stands for special variety machine. Exactly what it was you may need to call Singer and see if there is a tech there that can tell you what the SV stood for. The mahcine has 3'4" of lift and will sew 5/8" of material. It is has a rotary hook and they are still available. they made them primarily for the heavy canvas and are still used for sewing horse pads today. hope this helps

We are a new small company that is looking to increase our business. We have almost all the equipment of a large shop but there are only two of us. We have stitchers from light to the heavest on the market. We can do custom clicking to meet your needs. we have a very good clicker die company for dies and can increase our capacity in days if needed. We have a power skiver, splitter, 8 sewing machines. We do not do stamping or hand stitching. If you have a need for a quick run on something for a one time thing or extended contracts please send me a return email. Thanks stitcher1

did you find all the help you needed? We would be interested in making holsters for you. Thanks

Did you find the people you needed to sew the holsters you need? WE are interested in the work.

Needle and thread combinations 346 top 277 bottom - 328S #230 277 top 207 bottom - 328S #200 207 top 138 bobbin - 328 S #180 138 top 138 bobbin - 328S #160 i do not suggest you use any size smaller than 138 on this machine

From the machine I saw you have a Mercury M-120-1. If that is the machine you have you do need to increase the footbar presser and then it will sew the glued leather. You may have to screw it down quiet a bit to get the machine from flagging. It will depend on what machine you have. What happens is the needle generates heat as is punches ant hole for the thread. The thread will sometimes stick to the glue as the needle takes it down through the hole. The thread then can stick to the side of the hole and cannot let the machne throw the proper size loop for the hook to catch and make the stitch. Try going to one size needle bigger. It gives the thread more clearance between the leather and the needle and will allow the machine to throw the proper loop so it can complete its stitch. Watch the presser feet when they are on the material as it is making a stitch. If the presser feet raise with the needle then all you need to do is increase your foot bar pressure by tightening the knob just above the foot bar until the feet do not lift when the needle is coming out of the leather. Hope it helps

Yes, you can do it with a machine. A Randall Needle and Awl siticher. It has an attachment called a french box attachment and you can get one from Randall in Yokum TX. Ferdinand made one for the 900-B in the late 80's and early 90's but is not available for the new Pro 2000's. The problem stitching with at a 45 is not that it cant. because it will. Most leather that is sewn with a french box is a dyed black leather. When the needle makes its hole in the leather the bottom side shows the udied leather next to the hole which gives it a ugly appearance. Hope that answered you question

The sailrite may work but it will be maxed out if you sew 2 layers of 8 oz. reality is if you want to sew 3 layers of 8 oz tooling you should probably look at some of the bigger machines. There seems to be a price war brewing between a couple of the companies so you may get a great deal on a machine in the near future. Also what size of thread do you want to use. The sailrite will use a 138 top thread and a 138 bobbin thread. that is the biggest size you can use. that is a canvas or upholstery size and you will probably want a machine that will use at least a size 207 thread or 277 thread on top. Most industrial sewing machines will use a 207 top and a 138 bobbin. doesnt matter whether it is a flatbed or cylinder-arm. When you added the third layer of 8 oz you kind of jumped into the bigger machines. good point - should let you sew with any size thread you want. - Bad point - it just cost you some more money.

Hi, Im new to the site but know a little about sewing machines. What machine do you have and what size thread and needle are you using and alos what type of leather are you sewing?