Machine Identification and Oil Leak

[SPB]

I'm new here and I've recently purchased my first "dirt cheap" sewing machine which seems to be called a "Shoe-Mending Machine". (See photo.) 

(1) When writing about it, what is it called on this forum? I assume that I'll be having multiple posts about it as I learn. Does it have a formal name to describe it? There seem to be tons of YouTube channels that refer to it as the $115 leather sewing machine. It is a knock-off of an antique Singer. 

(2) When it arrived, there seems to be a pool of oil in the bottom of the box. I assume this is "normal" for this ultra-low-budget machine. 

Thanks,

 

[Squid61]

Most likely melted packing grease, these are coated heavily to prevent rust in storage/shipping.  I don't and won't own one but some folks here have made them "work".

[fredk]

14 minutes ago, SPB said:

I'm new here and I've recently purchased my first "dirt cheap" sewing machine which seems to be called a "Shoe-Mending Machine". (See photo.) 

(1) When writing about it, what is it called on this forum? I assume that I'll be having multiple posts about it as I learn. Does it have a formal name to describe it? There seem to be tons of YouTube channels that refer to it as the $115 leather sewing machine. It is a knock-off of an antique Singer. 

There are numerous  names for this machine. Some are not repeatable in polite company! but its known as a Chinese Patcher. There are few threads on here about this machine

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/94117-cheap-chinese-sewing-machine-question/

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/99199-chinese-shoe-patcher/

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/86981-chinese-imported-sewing-machines/page/5/?tab=comments#comment-665876

 

[kgg]

1 hour ago, SPB said:

It is a knock-off of an antique Singer. 

No it is not a knockoff of the Singer 29K and not in any way is remotely related to the Singer 29 as they are based very loosely on the 1860's German patcher design that is about 20-30 years earlier then the Singer patchers. These machines are more like the Hugo Wertheim Shoe patcher of the 1800's. The only thing that they have in common with a Singer 29K is they are a patcher / cobbler  machine.

2 hours ago, SPB said:

what is it called on this forum?

I politely refer to them as a "Tinkers Delight". Mine has provided endless hours of enjoyable tinkering. What I would advise besides cleanup of the packing grease and proper oiling is get rid of the domestic needle system it comes with and convert it to a standard 135x16 system. Be careful of some of the outrageous claims of it's capabilities. Some users pre-punch the holes in their leather first and then use the machine to sew the thread through those pre-punched holes.

kgg

[suzelle]

This looks like so much fun, I'd buy one of these machines for sure. Even if you had to adjust it from time to time, I don't mind doing that. Good way to learn too, I suppose.

[fredk]

6 minutes ago, suzelle said:

. . . Even if you had to adjust it from time to time, I don't mind doing that. . . . 

Be warned; Some of these need complete rebuilding and parts filed and machined to make them work

[suzelle]

14 minutes ago, fredk said:

Be warned; Some of these need complete rebuilding and parts filed and machined to make them work

Yup! I'd plan on it being a project. For me, I like that sort of thing. Always working on something!

[Handstitched]

WOW !! You learn something new everyday on this site  

10 hours ago, fredk said:

Be warned; Some of these need complete rebuilding and parts filed and machined to make them work

Reminds me of M.A.N. trucks. ' Many Alterations Needed'  

HS 

[suzelle]

23 hours ago, SPB said:

I'm new here and I've recently purchased my first "dirt cheap" sewing machine which seems to be called a "Shoe-Mending Machine". (See photo.) 

(1) When writing about it, what is it called on this forum? I assume that I'll be having multiple posts about it as I learn. Does it have a formal name to describe it? There seem to be tons of YouTube channels that refer to it as the $115 leather sewing machine. It is a knock-off of an antique Singer. 

(2) When it arrived, there seems to be a pool of oil in the bottom of the box. I assume this is "normal" for this ultra-low-budget machine. 

Thanks,

 

SPB - Did you get it put together yet? If you got anything assembled, please post more pics! Would love to see how it's going! Also, can't wait to see your first stitches. Did you get some thread yet? Did it come with needles?

 

[SPB]

5 hours ago, suzelle said:

<<fixed>> At this point the bobbin case seems to be stuck. Putting the handle in the 9:00 position I can remove the bobbin by using a magnet, but the case won't release. <<fixed>>

I got the bobbin case out with some effort.  After work today I'll look at the machine again. 

It came with thread, a pack of needles, 4 bobbins, 2 shuttle (bobbin case), and two shuttle bearers. 

Edited April 3, 2022 by SPB

[suzelle]

59 minutes ago, SPB said:

I got the bobbin case out with some effort.  After work today I'll look at the machine again. 

It came with thread, a pack of needles, 4 bobbins, 2 shuttle (bobbin case), and two shuttle bearers. 

Good, you got some stuff to actually sew with. Yay! Okay, can't wait to see it all come together!

[kgg]

5 hours ago, SPB said:

I got the bobbin case out with some effort. 

Small magnet can help to remove bobbin.

kgg

[SPB]

1 hour ago, kgg said:

Small magnet can help to remove bobbin.

kgg

The bobbin came right out with a magnet, but the bobbin case required a pliers and wiggling. The bobbin case holder, which connects to the Pitman rod, is not coming out. I think I'll need to adjust the Pitman rod. (I assume the timing isn't going to work in this fashion, but maybe I'm wrong.)