Feed Dog vs Narrow Plate for Belts

[IKM]

Noob here. I've seen people using both the standard feed dog as well as the narrow plate when stitching double layer gun belts. I like the stitch quality from the narrow plate but get better spacing consistency with the feed dog obviously. Any guidance on which I should stick with, or how I might improve spacing consistency with the narrow plate?

[DieselTech]

I guess I don't get what your asking. I don't think your stitch spacing should change. 

I got the the narrow feed dogs & needle plates for my cobra class 4. If anything the stitch spacing probably gets better.

[Northmount]

7 hours ago, IKM said:

I've seen people using both the standard feed dog as well as the narrow plate

Moved your post to Leather Sewing Machines.  This is where the machine guys hang out.

[TomE]

Can you give us more information about your machine, the particular narrow plate you're using (holster plate?), thread and needle sizes, thickness of your project, etc.?  A picture of the stitch spacing (good and bad) would also help.

[IKM]

12 hours ago, DieselTech said:

I guess I don't get what your asking. I don't think your stitch spacing should change. 

I got the the narrow feed dogs & needle plates for my cobra class 4. If anything the stitch spacing probably gets better.

I only have the standard feed dog right now. The narrow plate I'm using doesn't use the feed dog, so its needle feed only. I'm getting a nicer looking stitch from the narrow plate/no feed dog but consistency was a bit of an issue. In retrospect, having used the machine a little more, I think I may not have had adequate presser foot weight on it. I'm definitely going to look into the narrow feed plate. Mind telling me which one you bought, from one of the two suppliers on here I'm guessing?

[DieselTech]

1 hour ago, IKM said:

I only have the standard feed dog right now. The narrow plate I'm using doesn't use the feed dog, so its needle feed only. I'm getting a nicer looking stitch from the narrow plate/no feed dog but consistency was a bit of an issue. In retrospect, having used the machine a little more, I think I may not have had adequate presser foot weight on it. I'm definitely going to look into the narrow feed plate. Mind telling me which one you bought, from one of the two suppliers on here I'm guessing?

I bought 3 different plates & feed dogs for my cobra class 4 thru @Patrick1 on the forum here. 

I got the #23 & #25 narrow plates & feed dogs. I also bought the holster plate & 1 other i cant think of at the moment. 

[kgg]

On 11/17/2024 at 7:13 AM, IKM said:

Any guidance on which I should stick with, or how I might improve spacing consistency with the narrow plate?

A couple of questions.

1) What machine are you using?

2) What size of needle are you using?

3) What size of thread are you using?

kgg

[IKM]

On 11/18/2024 at 2:30 AM, kgg said:

A couple of questions.

1) What machine are you using?

2) What size of needle are you using?

3) What size of thread are you using?

kgg

Cobra class 4

Thread 207, needle size 24

I tightened up my bobbin a bit and started getting really nice stitches in the total of 16 ounces that comprise the belt. I had the tension adjustments all the way out just short of falling off and was still pulling the bottom thread up enough to be visible, so a little extra torque on the bobbin solved that easily and the stitch is nicer over all. I'm also trying to do stitches on the keeper which is a strip of the 12 oz Herman Oak, skived down where it passes behind the belt. I'm still pulling up a bit too much bobbin thread on a single layer of 12oz, but I'm hesitant to keep tightening the bobbin. My main tension adjustments are still nearly all the way out.

[TomE]

4 hours ago, IKM said:

Cobra class 4

Thread 207, needle size 24

I tightened up my bobbin a bit and started getting really nice stitches in the total of 16 ounces that comprise the belt. I had the tension adjustments all the way out just short of falling off and was still pulling the bottom thread up enough to be visible, so a little extra torque on the bobbin solved that easily and the stitch is nicer over all. I'm also trying to do stitches on the keeper which is a strip of the 12 oz Herman Oak, skived down where it passes behind the belt. I'm still pulling up a bit too much bobbin thread on a single layer of 12oz, but I'm hesitant to keep tightening the bobbin. My main tension adjustments are still nearly all the way out.

Check that the needle is installed correctly/completely with the scarf pointed to the right.  Rethread the machine.  Sounds like your top thread is binding on something.

[CowboyBob]

4 hours ago, IKM said:

Cobra class 4

Thread 207, needle size 24

I tightened up my bobbin a bit and started getting really nice stitches in the total of 16 ounces that comprise the belt. I had the tension adjustments all the way out just short of falling off and was still pulling the bottom thread up enough to be visible, so a little extra torque on the bobbin solved that easily and the stitch is nicer over all. I'm also trying to do stitches on the keeper which is a strip of the 12 oz Herman Oak, skived down where it passes behind the belt. I'm still pulling up a bit too much bobbin thread on a single layer of 12oz, but I'm hesitant to keep tightening the bobbin. My main tension adjustments are still nearly all the way out.

Use size 23 with 207.

[IKM]

15 hours ago, CowboyBob said:

Use size 23 with 207.

Hmm, I was using that size, but before I made the adjustment to the bobbin, I'll retry that.