Pedersen 309 and Pedersen 300 sewing machines

[Mulesaw]

While browsing the classifieds here in Norway while we are in dry dock, I came across an ad where someone gave away 2 Pedersen sewing machines for free!
I quickly established a contact and in an incredibly stroke of luck apparently I was the first one to show an honest interest.

I got a friend to go along for the ride to help carry the machines, and about an hour later I find myself to be the lucky owner of a Pedersen 309 sole sewing machine, and a Pedersen type 300 sewing machine.
The 309 comes complete with bobbins and extra needles etc, and that one I have seen mentioned before in here. 

The type 300, I haven't been able to dig up any information about. As far as I have been able to find, it is still some sort of sole stitcher, but if anyone has got a more correct name or maybe even a manual for something similar, it will be greatly appreciated.

Both machines are in need of a thorough cleaning and oiling to run freely again. But none of them are mistreated.
The next big challenge is to get them sent from Norway to Denmark, but for the price that I didn't pay to get them, there should still be some money left that I can use for shipping.

 

[Wizcrafts]

The red machine is probably a curved needle out sole stitcher. You'd likely hold the shoe upsde down and sew around the sole from where it is skived in front of the heel. The gray machine is a McKay style insole stitcher. You place the shoe over the rotating horn with the bottom up and sew close to the inside of the shoe. A shoe repairman can explain it better.

[Mulesaw]

37 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

The red machine is probably a curved needle out sole stitcher. You'd likely hold the shoe upsde down and sew around the sole from where it is skived in front of the heel. The gray machine is a McKay style insole stitcher. You place the shoe over the rotating horn with the bottom up and sew close to the inside of the shoe. A shoe repairman can explain it better.

Thanks a lot Wiz, McKay style insole stitcher, that gives me somethig that I can try to Google. :-)
I had tried with 10 different things like boot stitcher etc, but nothing really came up.

I have found a manual for a 317 in here, that should be a bit more modern than the 309, but I guess still the basic same principle. 

Both machines need a bit of oiling, and I just sprayed them with some WD40 to get them to move a bit more freely. At least I can turn the 309 a full revolution now, but it still isn't moving super easy.
The 300 seems to have a bit fewer moving parts, and that one is moving a lot easier already.
I like that it is manually foot operated, so the only electric part on it is the heated cup for wax/tar, and I also like that both of them are so incredibly sturdy built. It is a pure joy to see and spin something that was clearly made to last.

Brgds Jonas

 

[TomE]

Looks like an adventure!  Keep us posted, Jonas. I am considering buying a large clicker press from a friend for less than a custom die will cost.  He closed his business making boot insoles for major brands like Thorogood and has retired.  It would take up space in my machine shed but I'm considering clicking out the yokes and decorative pieces for farrier aprons like the one I previously posted.  I haven't done any production work before and I'm debating whether to branch out or stick with made to order tack.  

[Mulesaw]

6 hours ago, TomE said:

Looks like an adventure!  Keep us posted, Jonas. I am considering buying a large clicker press from a friend for less than a custom die will cost.  He closed his business making boot insoles for major brands like Thorogood and has retired.  It would take up space in my machine shed but I'm considering clicking out the yokes and decorative pieces for farrier aprons like the one I previously posted.  I haven't done any production work before and I'm debating whether to branch out or stick with made to order tack.  

Hi Tom

If you have the space for the clicker press I would get it if I were you!
Offers like that only comes once in a 100 years. And I suppose that if he is retiring, then theoretically you could perhaps continue with his insole production for one or two of his old customers, that would also be branching out, albeit not in the horse world. 
Depending on how difficult it would be to make insoles, I am guessing that it was one of those tasks that could be handled by a high school kid with a bit of technical flair. But then you would have to employ a person, and that might be more trouble than it is worth.

Based on my collection of various woodworking machinery, I can honestly say that I have very rarely regretted getting something old of industrial quality. the quality of older machines is normally first class. 
And I think that even on a large clicker press - you are able to make small items. 

I have been toying with the idea of making key fobs out of old saddles, I just need to make a die for it. I guess that my drill press will be sufficient to work as a press in those cases, but I would have to experiment with it. 

The good news on these sewing machines is that since liberally spraying everything with WD40 last night, they move a lot better today than yesterday. 
Still I think that they need a more thorough cleaning and a good oiling with sewing machine oil or similar, to run as smooth as I like.

Brgds Jonas

[Constabulary]

I would check for SUTTON or McKay stitchers, IIRC Pederson models are sometimes very similar if not identical. Just what I have observed from the shoe making guys. Maybe even BUSM / British United Shoe Machinery, MOENUS, ALBEKO or PROTOS.

Edited June 4, 2024 by Constabulary

[Tastech]

Good score ,i am envious . The 309 is a blake or mckay stitcher . Pretty reliable. The second is an out-sole stitcher . a predecessor of the rapid K. The rapid K was made by Pederson and branded as a Sutton in the US. I hope they don't need parts because they don't exist any more and the only source is to find an old machine . 

If you can show me a detailed photo of the outsole stitcher needles ,i think i have some .

[Mulesaw]

2 hours ago, Constabulary said:

I would check for SUTTON or McKay stitchers, IIRC Pederson models are sometimes very similar if not identical. Just what I have observed from the shoe making guys. Maybe even BUSM / British United Shoe Machinery, MOENUS, ALBEKO or PROTOS.

Thanks Constabulary,

I think it was actually you who supplied a manual for a 317 that I have been looking at in an old post :-)

I'll try to check out all of those and see if any manuals will be available.
It seems as some of the Landis machines are similar to the Pedersen machines as well. From what I have been able to see on Youtube so far, the outsole stitchers are more common than the McKay style insole stitcher. But I have just searched for it one evening, so I hope that I will find some more information on how to set up and use etc.

Anyway both machines needs a heavy cleaning and oiling. And I need to get them transported from Norway to Denmark somehow. But at least they are safe now from someone wanting them to make a steampunk lamp or something along those lines. 

Brgds Jonas
 

[Mulesaw]

1 hour ago, Tastech said:

Good score ,i am envious . The 309 is a blake or mckay stitcher . Pretty reliable. The second is an out-sole stitcher . a predecessor of the rapid K. The rapid K was made by Pederson and branded as a Sutton in the US. I hope they don't need parts because they don't exist any more and the only source is to find an old machine . 

If you can show me a detailed photo of the outsole stitcher needles ,i think i have some .

Thanks Tastech,

I'll try to get some pictures of the needles and the awl, but today is pretty busy, so it might not be until tomorrow that I get it done.
Blake stitcher, I'll try to google that too. After googling McKay stitcher last night, I found a lot more compared to when I searched for a Pedersen type 300. 
I really like that it is foot operated and with a heavy flywheel. The simplicity appeals a lot to me, and also the rugged yet elegant lines of the castings of those old machines. 
The foot pedal is cast with a nice "knurled" surface to prevent slipping, and the pedestal has got some nice lines to it as well. 

The only part that I can see is missing so far from the outsole stitcher, is the end of the grease cup used for the intermediate belt wheel. But I can make a new one of those on the lathe at home if needs be.  I guess that it could be a regular 1/4" pipe thread, so I might go that route first and see if I can adapt some pipe thread bushing.
The McKay stitcher only has got the one needle that is currently in it, so I have to look into what needle system that is and then find out if they are still available.

Brgds Jonas

[Tastech]

1 hour ago, Mulesaw said:

Anyway both machines needs a heavy cleaning and oiling. And I need to get them transported from Norway to Denmark somehow. But at least they are safe now from someone wanting them to make a steampunk lamp or something along those line

Lol , Those pesky steam punk lamp makers , They have destroyed many a machine . I hope there is a special place in hell for them .

@Mulesaw When your get a chance also post some photos of the bobbin and bobbin casing . I have some parts that might be for your sole stitcher . I got a random box of parts that are from an outsole stitcher but not sure what machine . Definitely not a landis  or a british Victor so might be for a pederson