Assistance w/ Patent Elastic-type machine (Claes or Kochs Adler 'Universal Elastic'?): Bobbins, threading etc.

[CyberBadger]

Hi all -

I've wanted to get back into leatherwork and recently picked up a small patcher with the intent of using it for smaller home projects. It seems to have been well-maintained, and was in use by an older gentleman until relatively recently. I believe it might be a Kochs Adler 'Universal Elastic' - at least 'Universal' is visible on the paint remnants.

Unfortunately I'm worried I may have overpaid as I cannot get it working properly. I'm a bit limited with what's locally available as I don't have a car & I wanted something smaller that doesn't rely on electricity, but I'm hoping I didn't make a mistake here...

I thought that it was just incorrectly threaded - but now I'm wondering if the bobbin cases are wrong. It came with 3 which are slightly different sizes. The darker coloured one is, I believe original, and slightly shorter than the other two. None of them seem to glide close enough on the left side to hook the thread.

Any information or help would be greatly appreciated!

[Constabulary]

I think I have a PDF manual for this machine but it is in German language - send me a PM with your email address and I can forward it to you.

[CyberBadger]

1 hour ago, Constabulary said:

I think I have a PDF manual for this machine but it is in German language - send me a PM with your email address and I can forward it to you.

PM sent, thanks! Hoping I can find the proper bobbin case somewhere if that's indeed the issue...

[shoepatcher]

C ,

send me a PDF of manual please if you would.

glenn

[CyberBadger]

18 hours ago, shoepatcher said:

C ,

send me a PDF of manual please if you would.

glenn

I emailed you a few I found recently as well

[shoepatcher]

great.  I got a manual from Constabulary.

glenn

[CyberBadger]

Update! I feel a bit dumb now....

Thanks to the manuals, some photos and a helpful video on another forum, I discovered that the previous owner probably had the incorrect needle size. I lowered the needle by 5mm or so and it seems to work!! Now I feel a bit dumb...

As I understand, the machine should take System 88 needles, so I have ordered some to try. And the shuttle is still quite worn, so I will see if the Singer 29k ones fit, as a few people reported having success.

But otherwise this should work to start out with!

[Smileyfaces]

Hi

I have recently purchased one of these Patent Elastic machines. Unfortunately I didn't realise the bobbin case and bobbin

were missing. Is anyone able to suggest where I may get one from or does anyone have one they would be willing to sell?

I would also like a copy of the manual mentioned earlier in this thread if that is ok?

Many thanks in advance for any help that may be available.

Regards

Smileyface

[Constabulary]

if it is a CLEAS (please post pictures) then there were at least 3 different sizes off bobbins / hooks.

This is a pic from a later model but IIRC the hooks remained the same event until today but I have to admit I have not much experiences with the colibris.

CLAES RPX, Modell 200 and newer models I know more of.

[CyberBadger]

On 9/25/2025 at 7:30 AM, Smileyfaces said:

Hi

I have recently purchased one of these Patent Elastic machines. Unfortunately I didn't realise the bobbin case and bobbin

were missing. Is anyone able to suggest where I may get one from or does anyone have one they would be willing to sell?

I would also like a copy of the manual mentioned earlier in this thread if that is ok?

Many thanks in advance for any help that may be available.

Regards

Smileyface

Hey - I forgot that I ever posted this. I should be able to post the manuals I've been able to find. On my way to work right now but will try to check once I'm home. 

I'm not certain of the exact model I have, but in my case the problems seem to have been partially due to the shuttle hook being extremely worn, the tip seems to have been repaired with brazing at some point.

However, I discovered that it is nearly identical in size/shape to the one used in a Singer 29k, save for a few distinct differences. With some minor grinding & polishing, I was able to retrofit a Singer shuttle & the machine works perfectly now. 

I am also working on a CAD file for the bobbin shuttle & can post a 3D scanned version of the original.

Cheers