Clone Patcher problems

[kgg]

12 minutes ago, bigcreekleatherworks said:

I seem to have it running again, however it is dripping a stitch here and there at random I’ll do some more adjusting

I think we all have had problems in the beginning with one or another machine. If possible a few pictures of your top thread path from the thread spool to the tip of the needle may help in spotting something that may need to be tweaked.

kgg

[Wizcrafts]

10 hours ago, bigcreekleatherworks said:

Tried to upload a video but it’s telling me the file is too large

You can create a YouTube channel for free and upload videos to it. The channel can be public or private. If private, only people you send a link to can find your videos. They have very generous file size allowances.

[Garyak]

On 12/7/2022 at 12:37 PM, bigcreekleatherworks said:

Howdy all, I’m new to leatherwork and very new to sewing machines. I recently bought a cobra/singer patcher clone from Amazon (INTBUYING Industrial Leather... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HRLS3B7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share ) I got the thing all dialed in last week and sewed a belt with it. Seemed to work well and everything but when I got to the end it kept breaking thread. Thought maybe I over-tightened the top tension so I loosened it but it still keeps breaking. Now it seems that it’s missing the bobbin thread altogether. However when I don’t have material on the machine and I have the cover open I can watch the shuttle catch the thread but as soon as I slap some leather down it won’t. Can’t think of why it won’t work for the life of me and I can’t find any answers anywhere. Any help greatly appreciated, thanks in advance. 
 

Chase

Your needle is not seated correctly, either not all the way in, or not east to west looking at from the operator position. Scarf faces the hook (east). Make sure it’s as squared up facing that way as possible. 

[bigcreekleatherworks]

Howdy all, just wanted to pop in and update. I did get the machine to run well for a moment. I believe the needles and the thread I was using were the culprit. Big thanks to @kgg I got those needles and thread you recommended and they work great. Bad news is I broke the set screw off in the needle bar clamp so I couldn’t change needles right away. Then I tried to tap the screw out with a drill and I messed that all up, finally ordered a replacement needle bar clamp and when that came the thing was not running smoothly. Turns out I had bent the needle bar in all my drilling/attempting to remove the needle bar(was hammering the wrong side of the pin lol). Got a new needle bar. Got the machine running again and everything seems fine. Thanks to everyone who commented for their input, a lot of useful information for the future for sure. 
 

I am curious about another thing with these patchers: what’s the largest size thread/needles it will take? I’m only curious because the thread I got looks rather small on some of the pieces I’ve sewn. If I could run a thicker thread I think it would improve the aesthetics of the pieces I plan on making in the future. Anyway, thanks again all, have a great night/day. 
 

Chase

[kgg]

6 hours ago, bigcreekleatherworks said:

I am curious about another thing with these patchers: what’s the largest size thread/needles it will take? I’m only curious because the thread I got looks rather small on some of the pieces I’ve sewn. If I could run a thicker thread I think it would improve the aesthetics of the pieces I plan on making in the future. Anyway, thanks again all, have a great night/day. 

The seller of the machine in your Amazon link says it can handle size #16 to #18 needles. This means it could handle V69 (max thread size for most domestic sewing machines) and maybe V92 (smallest thread size for most industrial sewing machines) depending on the thickness and how tough or sticky the material is. Can it handle larger size thread like a Singer 29K 72, I don't know....

If it was a true clone of the Singer 29K 72 it would be able to handle needles from size #9 to #25 needles. This means it could handle threads up to about V138.

These machines were designed to do small, short run repairs on items hence the name patcher.

A good chart for selecting the correct needle size for the thread size can be found at: ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html )

kgg

[chuck123wapati]

6 hours ago, bigcreekleatherworks said:

Howdy all, just wanted to pop in and update. I did get the machine to run well for a moment. I believe the needles and the thread I was using were the culprit. Big thanks to @kgg I got those needles and thread you recommended and they work great. Bad news is I broke the set screw off in the needle bar clamp so I couldn’t change needles right away. Then I tried to tap the screw out with a drill and I messed that all up, finally ordered a replacement needle bar clamp and when that came the thing was not running smoothly. Turns out I had bent the needle bar in all my drilling/attempting to remove the needle bar(was hammering the wrong side of the pin lol). Got a new needle bar. Got the machine running again and everything seems fine. Thanks to everyone who commented for their input, a lot of useful information for the future for sure. 
 

I am curious about another thing with these patchers: what’s the largest size thread/needles it will take? I’m only curious because the thread I got looks rather small on some of the pieces I’ve sewn. If I could run a thicker thread I think it would improve the aesthetics of the pieces I plan on making in the future. Anyway, thanks again all, have a great night/day. 
 

Chase

A test piece i did the other day, with the tex90 and Schmetz 18 leather needle.  it is 2 pieces total 1/4" thick each pass is about 5" long so about 30" of continuous stitching without a hiccup.  I feel i could easily run this machine till the bobbin ran dry.  I can sew up to about 3/8"th reliably so far with this combo.

[CowboyBob]

Just saw this,glad to see you got it figured out.Just thought I'd mention if you ever break the needlebar screw you can almost always get them out by clamping some vice-grips on the needle stub twist it alittle as you pull down & remove it.Then with the pressure of it the screw will back out by using the point of a needle.

[chuck123wapati]

6 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

A test piece i did the other day, with the tex90 and Schmetz 18 leather needle.  it is 2 pieces total 1/4" thick each pass is about 5" long so about 30" of continuous stitching without a hiccup.  I feel i could easily run this machine till the bobbin ran dry.  I can sew up to about 3/8"th reliably so far with this combo.

oops sorry i have the other Chinese shoe patcher machine i went back and looked at your op. soooooo, nevermind! lol

[Garyak]

3 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

oops sorry i have the other Chinese shoe patcher machine i went back and looked at your op. soooooo, nevermind! lol

Switch to 17 system needles. 23 will fit the needle throat. 207/207 23. Using the HX needles was a big negative. 

[bigcreekleatherworks]

14 hours ago, kgg said:

The seller of the machine in your Amazon link says it can handle size #16 to #18 needles. This means it could handle V69 (max thread size for most domestic sewing machines) and maybe V92 (smallest thread size for most industrial sewing machines) depending on the thickness and how tough or sticky the material is. Can it handle larger size thread like a Singer 29K 72, I don't know....

If it was a true clone of the Singer 29K 72 it would be able to handle needles from size #9 to #25 needles. This means it could handle threads up to about V138.

These machines were designed to do small, short run repairs on items hence the name patcher.

A good chart for selecting the correct needle size for the thread size can be found at: ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html )

kgg

Well I’m gonna give some size 22s a shot and see if I can run a stitch with v138 otherwise I’ll just accept it for what it is, thanks again for the advice I appreciate all the knowledge I can get!