Search the Community

Hi I have a working Fortuna Skiver, pictured below. Can anyone tell me anything about its age please? It is labelled "Fortuna New York" and L F 15240 The mechanism for setting the roller is "interesting" to say the least, and it workd well on thick leathers that are narrower than teh roller, as a splitter, but I would love to get a manual to use it effectively as a skiver. Any knowledge sharing would be really appreciated. I am also keen to get a different length guide. Thank you H

I recently got a Singer 45k25 machine up and running. Ive got a standard presser foot on it now. Works great. However, Id like to try out a roller foot. Unfortunately, I can't find one anywhere. Does anyone have any leads on where to find one? Could I fit one that is meant to go on another sewing machine? Anyone selling?

Roller foot postbed for sale in oakland CA. This machine has feed from the top and bottom. Will run 107 size twine. Perfect for shoe lasts, uppers, cowboy boots, bags, you name it! Barely used $1800 obo

Hey yal long time no post! Hoping some pros can help me with something. I'm looking for experiences, not just google articles, hence why I'm here! I have a 810 post bed machine. I had started a project (which is now complete), sewing some sneaker uppers, but toward the end I snapped a needle and found I had been sewing with a size 22. It's ok, but I really wanted to sew with a smaller needle to get a smaller more "high end" looking stitch. I went to put it in a new needle that was provided, but none of them worked. None of them would catch the bobbin thread, from size 16-21. Come to find out they sent me the wrong needle system, as I needed dpx5 and those werent it. So now I'm on ebay trying to find needles but all of these numbers and letters are confusing. There are lots of options. 2 part question: 1. If I buy needles, as long as it's the right system, can I use a smaller size?? For instance, it's seems my machine is set for a size 22, will a size 18 or 20 work?? For 69 thread. 2. If that answer is no, is it worth changing something internally so that I can sew with a smaller needle? I would have to be walked through this over the phone, as I am 4 hours away from the nearest professional. For more background, I don't plan to sew over 6 oz of leather. I sew Python and lamb skins, and would like to sew croc and stingray soon. But I also want to sew fabrics, like Pendleton and suedes, which look like requires ball points but leather requires diamond. (Any info on points appreciated too) Any advice?? Thank you!!!!

I picked up a 31-15 and everything works perfectly. I ordered a roller foot and tried to install, but there seems to be way too much pressure on the foot. I'm not sure if I got the wrong roller foot or I'm doing something wrong. Pics shortly.

Hi all, This is my first post here, and I hope somebody might be able to provide an opinion or advice. I just got an Adler 69 362 (see e.g. pages 7-9 in a leaflet here). The model is equipped with a roller foot. The main question is: can the roller foot be replaced with a walking foot? Such as something like this. Or is this limited to a 69 373 model? To a layman as myself, the rest of the machine configuration looks the same. As for me, I am a hobbyist. I consider working with leather as a way of meditation (to take my mind off from the day job). Up until now, I have handstitched most items (some knife sheats, holsters, a couple of bags, quite a number of wallets ... only had patience to handstitch one belt). I have also used a home sewing machine for parts of bags (a cheap Toyota FSR21 with a cheap walking foot attachment, but it does quite some work). I plan on using the Adler primarily for wallets and bags, but occasional belts would be nice too. I've tested it just a bit so far, and it easily managed to stitch 2 layers of around 8-9 oz veg tan (I think ... 2 layers of 3,5 mm ... sorry, I'm European ... ounces confuse me :/). I will not torture it with this much though. 4 layers of soft leather (parts of bag edges) should normally be the heaviest type of work. So ... should I be happy with the purchase (it was 230 EUR / ca. 310 USD for the whole set: head, table, flat bed attachment, motor, etc.)? If anybody has any experience with this machine, your opinions on its abilities and its limits would be most appreciated. Especially: pros and cons of roller foot vs walking foot. Thanks! Basil

Hello there, this question is for any shoemakers or anyone with some input out there. I am interested in getting into bespoke shoemaking and am looking for advice, recommendations, and input from those of you with experience. I have been doing plenty of research and am still unsure what kind of sewing machine might be the best fit for me. I have been looking into walking foot machines but i would have to say that the majority of the videos and images I've seen of people actually sewing vamps and uppers on machines using a roller foot rather than a walking foot. is this better for cobbling or are these, roller feet, designed to do things specifically that walking feet are less compatible to? some other questions I wouldn't mind answered: -places I can purchase single pairs of rubber, silicone. shoe soles that I could cement to shoes I make. (I want to work with canvas shoes too) -tools: where to buy them, or how to make them. which ones are essential. -suggestions on books, videos, websites, etc. that have useful tutorials and instruction. - anything else you can suggest