landis Landis Model K Shredding Thread

[JBrooks]

Hi All,

Before I start, I have scoured the internet for resources before posting this thread. This includes reading all related posts in Leatherwork.net, watching the entire Steve Mueller Curved Needle Stitcher video on YouTube (an excellent step-by-step for setup), read both the “Do it yourself maintenance and troubleshooting Guide” and the “Landis Model K Instruction Book” and half a  doze  other Facebook videos.

I have done the following as specified by Steve Mueller video and Landis Manual.

- new 22-50 needle with barb set a 1/16” from needle guide

- new 22-47 awl set 1/16” from needle as awl is feeding to the left of needle

- looper set thread 1/16” from needle barb

- set thread lifter correct distance from bobbin case and alignment with needle

- new thread #7 right twist for bottom thread and #6 right twist for bobbin

- wax stripper tension set to remove wax, but allow free flowing with locking lever at top and locking when at bottom

-adjusted tension spring

- fully cleaning and lubricated rollers and gears to remove any wax build up

- threaded as shown by Steve Mueller 

This machine previously worked but I moved it from one location to another and just now getting the shop back up.
 

After all the calibration and setup, I get about 2-3” Into the stitching process before the thread begins to shred and eventually break. I’ve been troubleshooting different tension and it doesn’t seem like I can get it right as it always shreads before I can complete a full welt. 

Any advice, tricks, tips, suggestions for things that you’ve found work that aren’t in the manual would be greatly appreciated.

-Jeremy

Edited August 10 by JBrooks
Typo

[Wizcrafts]

4 hours ago, JBrooks said:

After all the calibration and setup, I get about 2-3” Into the stitching process before the thread begins to shred and eventually break. I’ve been troubleshooting different tension and it doesn’t seem like I can get it right as it always shreads before I can complete a full welt. 

Any advice, tricks, tips, suggestions for things that you’ve found work that aren’t in the manual would be greatly appreciated.

I'd start feeling and looking at the thread guides for burrs.

You didn't mention whether or not the thread is bonded. If it isn't, you're supposed to run it through the wax pot to bond the strands. If you don't have Sellari's stitching wax, order some online.

[JBrooks]

7 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

You didn't mention whether or not the thread is bonded. If it isn't, you're supposed to run it through the wax pot to bond the strands. If you don't have Sellari's stitching wax, order some online.

I am using Sellari’s wax and have run the linen thread through the wax pot in the direction as outlined in the manual.

I’ll take a look at the thread guides for burrs. The shredding does look like it’s happening around the time the needle picks up thread off looper or as it’s being removed from the needle by the thread lifter. I have adjusted distances on these in numerous combinations with no luck so I moved it back to the recommended factory settings. 
 

I will get a video today and post to YouTube to provide more information. 

[JBrooks]

I found the problem! While inspecting the roller guides for any debris or burrs, I saw the thread had actually jumped off one of the guides and was sandwiched between the guide cover and the roller. This was allowing the thread to intermittently move causing skipped stitches, but would eventually get so tight it would cause too much tension and break. 
 

The red arrow shows where the thread was when I removed the cover. The green arrow shows there the thread is supposed to be in the roller. 
 

 

[Wizcrafts]

5 hours ago, JBrooks said:

I found the problem! While inspecting the roller guides for any debris or burrs, I saw the thread had actually jumped off one of the guides and was sandwiched between the guide cover and the roller. This was allowing the thread to intermittently move causing skipped stitches, but would eventually get so tight it would cause too much tension and break. 

Good find! Now, have you figured out how to keep this from happening again?

[JBrooks]

11 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

Good find! Now, have you figured out how to keep this from happening again?

Yes, I believe this happened during the threading process. When you pull thread in on the left side of this guide, you should pull thread UP as much as possible rather than OUT or it will slide over between the roller and the cover. Once you pull thread down on right side of the roller make sure thread is in the roller grooves as you pull thread down.

I re-threaded after I found this out and adjusted all the tension on wax stripper and working smoothly now.