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Hey fellow hide tamers. I've been making do for a few years now with an older Consew 255B. Nope, no reverse so I'm looking to replace it with a cylinder arm. I've found a Pfaff 335 that has a good maintenance record. Guy says he sews up to 8oz with it. The best I can tell the lift is 7mm on the 335 so that seems to be about the upper limit there. I'm hoping I'll be able to get him drop some from the 1500 he's asking (I hope so, its a 4 hour drive one way) and that seems reasonable for others I've seen listed. I do a lot of bags, belts, holster, harnesses, collars. I use a lot of Tony See's patterns and will stitch them on the machine when I'm in need of speed. Given that my holsters are usually 9 0z, I imagine I'm still gonna be doing a lot of hand stitching. All the rest will certainly be within the limits of the lift. My primary goal is to increase my output of bags, guitar straps, belts collars and the like. This as my wife retired a couple of months ago and we'll be setting her up to go to fairs and festivals next year. Need some inventory rather than just the steady individual commissions. My questions are, maximum needle and thread size? Looking at specs I couldn't really decipher what the upper and lower stitch lengths are, so what am I looking at there? Known issues from others that have had or do have and are leather folks? Finally aside from the fact that I took up this art about a decade ago, does looking at this as an option fully land me into the crazy column? I'm also looking at a vintage Singer 29K-71. To me it seems it would be limited in how I can use it to increase production. Thoughts on comparing that apple and orange? Thanks, Leo

Hello ever one I have just recently bought a few singer 29k71, 72, 60,62, 51, 70, and in my search of numbers, manuals, dates and also history I have not found anything on why there are some of the machines that are Grayish blue in color???? Does anyone know a reason or is it that singer just want to change the color that year/model! I have one 29k71 that is grayish blue with a SN# EX644466 it has a tag on it that shows 29k71 but when I look it up on singer it shows it is a 132k??? don't know why???? I have a opportunity to purchase one of the same color but it is a 29k73 long arm small bobbin. Are these color machines anything special or just a color change? Thank you Crfiremech

Hello, I have recently picked up a 29k71 (electric but using the hand crank) and I got it sewing cloth, finally. Although when im sewing anything over 1-2 oz veg tanned leather it does not move the leather with the foot. With a little push of the material it feeds kinda alright but if I stop applying pressure its back to not pushing enough and thats not the way its suppose to be so I would like to know whats wrong and get it fixed. I understand that these machines are old (I think mines from '64) and parts wear. Any help would be much appreciated. take care all! happy sewing!

Hi, I am new to the forum and have been reading around. Lots of great info here! I have recently inherited a Singer Patcher 29k71 that used to belong to my grand father who used to be a cobbler. He had lots of those, unfortunately, he ended up selling most of the old machines but fortunate for me, this one survived and was passed down to me. I was able to get it completely restored and repaired but i still cant get it to sew properly. I know the problem but i dont know how i can fix it. Problem is that it is timed properly but it constantly gets jammed because the thread ends up under the shuttle carrier. as such, i ordered a replacement shuttle carrier (not an original part) and installed it but i still have the same problem. I was able to get it to sew a few times but it ends up jamming in the end. What i noticed is that the bearing between the shuttle carrier and the driving pinion seems to stick up a little too much. As such the shuttle carrier is too high? Other thing i was thinking is that the hole on the shuttle carrier where you put the set screw is too low and when fastened on the driving pinion and there is too much play. Or the driving pinion is worn down and there is too much play. Either way, before i buy anything else, i could really use some help. Thanks! Andre

I'm looking at purchasing a Singer 29k and the shop that closed has 2 for sale. A 29k71 for $150 and a 29k58 for $200 both work well. I've researched the best I can on them both and read through various threads here on them most were from a few years ago so thought I'd ask as well. From what I can tell they seem pretty equal or am I missing something? I'm contemplating just offering them $300 for both, worst case one could always be used for parts. Any thoughts on this - get both or get one - if so which one? Appreciate the guidance/input.