is this the right machine for me?

[Lindsay John Ross]

Thanx for the feedback. I see you know about our exchange rate Art......

[esantoro]

here's stitching from a juki 441 clone, 277 thread, #25 Schmetz serv 1 point.

ed

[bruce johnson]

Ed,

You may have mentioned this before, but I missed it. Whose version of a 441 do you have? Look like the pics you attached are sewn on some sort of latigo? I may be comparing apples and oranges here. Neither of my 2000s track like that on the top. Also there is nothing on the bottoms to make the tracks either. My throat plates are all smooth, and the lower feed never hits the leather. There might be some excess pressure on the top side, or the feet are not meeting the leather level and toeing/heeling down. I have some belts to do in the next couple days. I'll set up mine with the same size thread and needle and get some pictures.

[esantoro]

Bruce,

I have Ryan Neel's (Neel's Saddlery) Model 6.

The pics are of two layers of 5/7 oz Indian Tan Latigo. I'm using the standard blanket foot that the machine came with. Perhaps I should be backing off on the presser foot tension. I also am using the standard needle plate with the extreuding feed dog, which does leave light tracks. In a day or two, I should be receiving the slotted needle plate and the stirrup plate. I'm wondering if I'll need to adjust the presser foot height when I start using the raised needle plate. The problem is that I'll need to switch quite frequently between the stirrup plate for gusset work and the flat slotted plate for flat work (belts, lining, trim). I'm beginning to think about how nice it would be to have an additional machine, something like the Toro 3000...Yes.....That would be nice. Someday....

Ed

[esantoro]

Bruce and Art,

I noticed that the toes on the blanket foot do not touch the needle plate at any time, though the middle walking foot does. With my narrow harness makers foot, both the toes and the center foot do touch the needle plate. Do you have the same experience with your equipment?

Ed

[JohnsCustomLeather]

I have to agree with Lindsay, I have both needle and awl machines and adlers 205's, as well as 105's

In order to sew heavy leather and produce the nicest stitch the needle and awl machine is superb. I sew on a Landis 16, Yes they are old and very heavy, but they never let me down. The only downside to them there are only a couple of us monkeys who know how to work on them. My father and I ar 2 of them. But when it comes to presentation ther are far superior.

John Stumpf

www.johnscustomleather.com

www.jclleathermachinery.com

jdstumpf@verizon.net