Does anyone know about the Keats and Bexon Outsole Stitcher?

[Dannymac]

Hello all. I've picked up an old Keats & Bexon outsole stitcher. As of yet I have not been able to locate much information other than that it was made from the late 1800s through early 1900s. I have yet to thread it correctly before I can try it out. Hoping someone here may be familiar with the machine or potentially have access to a user manual of some kind.

My intended use is for producing heavy work boots. Nicks have declared me impossible to fit (seemed harsh, but I've always wanted to make my own... so here we go). I will upload pictures when able.

 

[shoepatcher]

Were they made in UK?  US?

glenn

[shoepatcher]

5 minutes ago, shoepatcher said:

Were they made in UK?  US?  pics please

glenn

 

[Wizcrafts]

Here is a video of a Keats and Bexon stitcher sewing shoe soles. It looks just like a Landis 12 series machine.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=357374289648482

[Wizcrafts]

The Keats and Bexon shoe repair machines were built in Staffordshire, UK, from 1894 through 1926. The only hope of finding any manual or instructions is to find somebody who owns one and has a manual they will photocopy, or mail to you. The stitchers haven't been produced in many decades. You might try contacting the people who maintain and sell Landis 12 series sole stitchers to see if they are aware of any intentional or unintentional similarities.