Light weight press for making stitching holes quickly

[Handstitched]

2 hours ago, fredk said:

For that a domestic sewing machine will work - for punching holes using a leather needle

Yup, I've also used my  big 441 clone machine for that as well , mainly when time is of the essence, holes are nice , neat and even  . 

HS

[SteveOz]

@RockyAussie Hey Brian, That's a really good idea to use a drill press that way. If my little hobby turns into something a little bigger I'll definitely invest. Thanks again for your input here!

[SteveOz]

@fredk Hey Fred, thanks for your tip there. I've got a Singer Heavy Duty 4411 machine. It's a domestic model and thought it would not be happy with leather going through it. I thought the feed dogs (just like the four legged variety) would chew up the leather. I'll have to give this a try too for making holes as I really enjoy doing saddle stitching.

[SteveOz]

@Handstitched Hey thanks for the tip there. I'll have to find some leather needles at my local haberdashery. I'm wondering if you've filed the feed dogs down on your machine or lowered them to stop them marking up the leather...?

[fredk]

4 hours ago, SteveOz said:

@fredk Hey Fred, thanks for your tip there. I've got a Singer Heavy Duty 4411 machine. It's a domestic model and thought it would not be happy with leather going through it. I thought the feed dogs (just like the four legged variety) would chew up the leather. I'll have to give this a try too for making holes as I really enjoy doing saddle stitching.

 

4 hours ago, SteveOz said:

@Handstitched Hey thanks for the tip there. I'll have to find some leather needles at my local haberdashery. I'm wondering if you've filed the feed dogs down on your machine or lowered them to stop them marking up the leather...?

On my Singer domestic I just used the minimum of presser foot pressure. Just enough grip to help me push the leather through. It was content enough to go through approx 4mm leather. Its happier doing it on manual drive, less stress on the drive system. Your 4411 may well take 4mm and say 'pah!, give me more!'

Other fixes are to; cover the feed dog teeth with thick tape, eg duct tape or plastic electrical tape, or use a couple of layers of low-tack painters tape on the leather

[SteveOz]

@Handstitched Thank you once again for your suggestions. I'll definitely be dusting off my Singer very soon then. And the tape tip is a great!

[Handstitched]

8 hours ago, SteveOz said:

I'm wondering if you've filed the feed dogs down on your machine or lowered them to stop them marking up the leather...?

I use a different plate,  a holster plate  

4 hours ago, fredk said:

Your 4411 may well take 4mm and say 'pah!, give me more!'

yep, these brute of machines can take up to 20mm . 

[SteveOz]

@Handstitched Could you please post a pic of your holster plate?

[Handstitched]

Yes, I'll try to  

HS

[SteveOz]

@Handstitched Thanks