Randall lockstitch machine

[maggielj]

Hi all, 

I hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit and I wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas.

Anyhow, There is a Randall lockstitch machine a few hours from me for sale, I am not concerned about the drive since I pass through there anyways on occasion. But I do have some questions about these machines, as I have never had the opportunity to run them. The machine plate says J.D Randall Co,  out of Cincinnati, Oh and has the number of 311, what does this number mean? Is it just a moedle #? and what is the best way to tell the age of the machine? Correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that Randall made clones of the ULS and the Campbell machines, so they have two different types with the ULS clone being more finicky. Is this correct? I am messaging the seller and he is saying that it was his fathers who passed away recently, and he cannot run it for a video, but I would not have any idea either. What would be some other things to look for/ read up on before going to go see this machine?

 

Thank you in advanced, will post pictures when I get to my laptop

[Wizcrafts]

Your John D. Randall 311, is the 311th machine built. This puts in in the late 19th Century, or the very early 1900s. I sewed on an early model from 1910 and it sewed flawlessly. I was offered to buy it in 1988, and like a fool, I declined. It was the personal stitcher of the owner of Freedman Harness, who sewed harness for the Rockefeller's race horses. If that machine is in working condition, ask for a demonstration. If some parts are worn, they may be replaceable with parts from Campbell-Randall Company, in Texas. If the machine doesn't sew, or turn over, it can be very costly to repair.

[maggielj]

1 hour ago, Wizcrafts said:

Your John D. Randall 311, is the 311th machine built. This puts in in the late 19th Century, or the very early 1900s. I sewed on an early model from 1910 and it sewed flawlessly. I was offered to buy it in 1988, and like a fool, I declined. It was the personal stitcher of the owner of Freedman Harness, who sewed harness for the Rockefeller's race horses. If that machine is in working condition, ask for a demonstration. If some parts are worn, they may be replaceable with parts from Campbell-Randall Company, in Texas. If the machine doesn't sew, or turn over, it can be very costly to repair.

Thank you Wiz! I suppose it doesn't hurt anything to go see if it turns over smooth. Do you happen to have any recommended resources about learning to operate these machines? Ive read about every thread I could find here.

 

Thank you again!

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, maggielj said:

Thank you Wiz! I suppose it doesn't hurt anything to go see if it turns over smooth. Do you happen to have any recommended resources about learning to operate these machines? Ive read about every thread I could find here.

 

Thank you again!

There are YT videos from Campbell Randall Company. Campbell took over rebuilding the Randalls and sells them as Campbell-Randall Lockstitch machines. You can buy a manual from CR and learn to thread the machine, which is half the battle. The book will have a list of recommended needles and awls for various sizes of thread. You can buy everything you need from CR in Texas. Hopefully, this machine comes with some extra needles, awls, bobbins and a threading wire.

[Privateer]

hi there,

ive just Aquired one yesterday from a lovely gentleman over here in england .I uploaded the parts list to manualslib.com.  Looking over the machine it is more complex than a adler etc.thin metal  plates inside that should be not dented for instance. Turning it over it is smooth but has small bite half way through rotation, this is normal. i personally opened all the hatches and checked for slight spacing between gears , listened for rubb when turning hand wheel    l. it runs great see the bottom stitch in the photo attached , beautiful stitch   . its a serial #762  i believe . its a rebuilt one from Randell  , has a few remade nylon gears inside and clutch assembly, luckily no asbestos!!  from  what i gather if it runs smoothly and the stitch is good on viewing as long as its not bumped during transport  it should be fine. check  if the grubb screws on the timing and  2 on adjustment cam on the back of the head are tight the needle etc. The chap  i bought it off oiled it regularly  with a drip try below . a good sign indeed  that all gears have thin coat on . it should come with  square key tool, Af spanners  and foot long needle tool to thread the machine with.  well worth the purchase if your prepared to maintain  it and keep fiddling with it to a minimum, if it aint broke =)  hope this helps 

regards, Josh

[maggielj]

@Privateer

Hi Josh!

Thank you for the advice, I did end up going home with this machine and am working on learning the in and outs of it. 

Your machine is lovely, though it appears to be a union lock stich type, instead of the Campbell Randall type like the one I picked up, I hope you have good luck with yours! I cannot believe how pretty it is! Witcraft's would be an awesome guy to talk to if you need assistance, I think has had two or three of them, I hear they can be temperamental at times.