Singer 29-4 questions.

[DieselTech]

Guys & gals I found a really nice old singer 29-4 in working condition. It's set up with 138 thread now. 

My couple questions are: Is this a good sewing machine?

Can heavier thread sizes be used in it. Say a 277 thread or 346 thread? 

Could a servo motor setup be put on it reasonably?

Are parts hard to find if needed? 

Hopefully some professionals can help me out & give me some answers. 

Thanks. Any & all help will be greatly appreciated. 

[Constabulary]

It basically is a shoe and boot repair machine and not designed for really heavy work / heavy thread. 138 pretty much is the max. is can handle. The 29-4 is probably 100 years old and has some (a few) parts in common with the later 29K models. Some parts remained the same bust most of the important wear parts are obsolete. You may find some but they are hard to find nowadays.

Its a different story for the later 29K models like 29K71 - the later models are still made in China / far east so parts are usually not a big problem.

Servo motor is possible but you have to figure how and where to install it. You may also need a counter spring cause the 29K´s have a heavy cast iron foot pedal. The Adler 30 machines (a similar patcher model but made by Adler in Germany) had optional motor brackets for the treadle stand. I can post picture of one later.

Lots of information on the 29 / 29K Singers when you do a google forum search:

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=singer+29+site%3Aleatherworker.net%2Fforum

Edited December 2, 2023 by Constabulary

[kgg]

29 minutes ago, DieselTech said:

Can heavier thread sizes be used in it. Say a 277 thread or 346 thread? 

Simple answer is No. The patchers were never meant to sew with such heavy thread. If you want to use V277 or V346 thread you are looking at a Class 441 motor driven machine similar to the Cowboy 4500 or Cobra Class 4 or a a one armed bandit like Cowboy Outlaw, Tippmann Boss, Weaver Cub.

kgg

[DieselTech]

31 minutes ago, Constabulary said:

It basically is a shoe and boot repair machine and not designed for really heavy work / heavy thread. 138 pretty much is the max. is can handle. The 29-4 is probably 100 years old and has some (a few) parts in common with the later 29K models. Some parts remained the same bust most of the important wear parts are obsolete. You may find some but they are hard to find nowadays.

Its a different story for the later 29K models like 29K71 - the later models are still made in China / far east so parts are usually not a big problem.

Servo motor is possible but you have to figure how and where to install it. You may also need a counter spring cause the 29K´s have a heavy cast iron foot pedal. The Adler 30 machines (a similar patcher model but made by Adler in Germany) had optional motor brackets for the treadle stand. I can post picture of one later.

Lots of information on the 29 / 29K Singers when you do a google forum search:

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=singer+29+site%3Aleatherworker.net%2Fforum

Thanks I appreciate it. I did find some good articles on leatherworker about it. 

It's a good old machine, but I'm thinking it's just not what I'm looking for. 

Sure is a pretty looking machine. 

[DieselTech]

24 minutes ago, kgg said:

Simple answer is No. The patchers were never meant to sew with such heavy thread. If you want to use V277 or V346 thread you are looking at a Class 441 motor driven machine similar to the Cowboy 4500 or Cobra Class 4 or a a one armed bandit like Cowboy Outlaw, Tippmann Boss, Weaver Cub.

kgg

Yeah I'm just going to save my money for a Cobra Class 4 & buy once & cry once. 

I can afford a Cobra Class 4 in Feburary.

I was also looking for a smaller machine, for smaller projects. 

I thought this machine might be good for that, but it's really not. 

I appreciate your time & help with this particular machine. Thanks.

[Wizcrafts]

Just now, DieselTech said:

I can afford a Cobra Class 4 in Feburary.

Have you checked their website to see if they have a lease to own program? I know that our Cowboy dealer has one.

[Constabulary]

Patcher machines can become quite handy for repair work or certain sewing operations. if it is cheap and it works and you have enough space for it - why not. My 29K71 does not see much work but I love it and I´ll keep it.

[DieselTech]

20 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

Have you checked their website to see if they have a lease to own program? I know that our Cowboy dealer has one.

I have not checked anyone out yet as financing for a new machine. I do know I'm going to buy, either a Cowboy CB4500, a Cobra Class 4, or a Techsew 5100se for my 1st machine. 

I'm looking for a smaller machine & unsure which direction to go on the smaller machine. 

Thanks. I just need to call some people & see what they can offer me. For a smaller machine, I like the looks of the Weaver 303 or the Consew 206RB-5 machines. 

[Wizcrafts]

6 hours ago, DieselTech said:

I have not checked anyone out yet as financing for a new machine. I do know I'm going to buy, either a Cowboy CB4500, a Cobra Class 4, or a Techsew 5100se for my 1st machine. 

I'm looking for a smaller machine & unsure which direction to go on the smaller machine.

The harness stitchers are cylinder arm machines, best suited for use with heavier thread and thicker work. For a smaller machine, consider a flat bed upholstery class walking foot machine. They are comfortable to operate as you are sitting down in a regular height chair. These machines keep the material flat so the seams stay aligned as you sew. You can keep smaller size thread spools on the walking foot machine, in sizes 69 and 92. System 135x16 and 17 needles are not as likely to get deflected and break as the longer System 7x3  when using thin needle sizes 18 and 19.