Help, What are the capabilities of this chinese knock off adler 105

[Francesco]

Hello, I do not live in the United States. I purchased this triple-feed sewing machine for $1,000 because the company told me it was capable of sewing three layers of chrome-tanned leather, each 4 ounces thick—approximately 0.5 centimeters in total thickness. They also mentioned that it could sew with size 138 thread on both sides.

After using the machine for a few days, it started having many issues. My question is: do you think this machine is actually capable of sewing that thickness of leather with size 138 thread on both sides? It seems to me that the machine is at its limit, which is why it gets misaligned after about 30 minutes of use.

The company did not provide me with any manual, only a small sheet with an unreadable list of parts. However, I found the exact model on a sales website in China. Any guidance would be very helpful.

 

 

 

Edited November 20 by Northmount
Converted webp file to jpeg

[Northmount]

1 hour ago, Francesco said:

Any guidance would be very helpful.

Please post jpeg or png files.  Many members will not download files they don't recognize webp (google) files.  jpeg and png display automatically so don't require the user to go through a download process.

 

[dikman]

That machine is a copy of a Pfaff 335, setup as a binder. Does yours have the binder attachments too? While the machine, as it is shown, will do normal stitching it is not ideal and really needs the feet, needle plate and feed dog changed to do that. It should handle the material thickness ok (should go up to 8mm thickness) but to use #138 thread may need to be re-adjusted as it would have been setup for #69 at the factory.

Edited November 20 by dikman

[Francesco]

15 minutes ago, dikman said:

That machine is a copy of a Pfaff 335, setup as a binder. Does yours have the binder attachments too? While the machine, as it is shown, will do normal stitching it is not ideal and really needs the feet, needle plate and feed dog changed to do that. It should handle the material thickness ok (should go up to 8mm thickness) but to use #138 thread may need to be re-adjusted as it would have been setup for #69 at the factory.

Are you referring to the attachments inside the red circle? If so, yes, it comes with them. The machine also has issues when sewing different thicknesses; for example, when transitioning from 2 layers of leather to 3, or from 2 layers to 1, the stitch length changes, and sometimes the presser foot doesn’t lift high enough to move from 1 to 2 or 2 to 3 layers.

What kind of adjustments would be necessary for the machine to work correctly? Thank you in advance!

[dikman]

Here is a manual for the Pfaff 335 - https://www.manualslib.com/products/Pfaff-335-3541803.html - there are more available and likely you-tube videos (I haven't looked). It sounds like the presser feet  might not be adjusted correctly. The feed dog on these binders is set for back and forth motion, rather than the normal elliptical motion of upholstery-class machines. It is a minor limitation but you should still be able to sew with it, but you really need the "proper" feet and needle plate if you are not going to use it as a binder. There have been other posts on here about that issue (search for 335 issues in the sewing machine section). 

[kgg]

4 hours ago, Francesco said:

I purchased this triple-feed sewing machine for $1,000 because the company told me it was capable of sewing three layers of chrome-tanned leather, each 4 ounces thick—approximately 0.5 centimeters in total thickness.

 

1 hour ago, dikman said:

That machine is a copy of a Pfaff 335, setup as a binder.

I agree with @dikman this is a binding machine. I did look at the spec part of your "Made in China" advertisement:

1) particularly the "Presser Foot Lift" at 15mm. Allowing for a necessary 3mm (1/8") gap from the presser foot to the top of an item being sewn leaves 12mm as a very max sewing thickness, not necessarily leather. Your 12 oz of leather would have a total 4.78 mm ( https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/pages/leather-thickness ) so you would be well within having enough space under the presser foot.

2) the video on the "Made in China" advertisement. Shows this machine as what appears to be needle feed machine not a compound or walking foot machine made for Fabric applications.

3) The only reference I could find about the needle system was it takes system DP 17. The DP17 is the same as needle system as 135 x 16 for leather and 135 x 17 for fabric. I could not find any reference to the max needle size but looking at a PFAFF 335 manual it max out at a #16 (100 metric) which means it can handle V69 thread.

4) Here is a good reference chart for needle to thread size ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html )

My personal opinion is that this machine is meant to do "Fabric" work of flat binding with no major thickness changes like going from 1.6 mm to 3.2 mm (4 to 8 oz leather) using a max thread size of V69. The machine probably could handle V92 in certain types of materials. Just because you can stuff a # 22 or 23 needle in the needle bar that can take V138 doesn't mean it will have the necessary needle to hook clearance. I think this is the wrong machine for sewing leather of that thickness. To do the job properly and consistently with V138 thread in 12 oz of leather you need in a cylinder arm a Class 341 or 1341 machine like a Juki LS-341 or 1341 or clone.

kgg

Edited November 21 by kgg

[dikman]

kgg gave you more detailed info than I did (I was trying to keep it simple ) but here is a bit more. The manual refers to top, bottom and needle feed, the bottom feed is presumably the feed dog BUT because it only moves in the back/forth motion it will not give the same assistance to the movement of the material under the needle as a conventional triple feed (does that make it a 2 1/2 feed?). I have what is referred to as the "old style casting" which means the specs are a little different (basically less lift/clearance under the feet). I managed to get mine sewing #138 but I had to readjust the needle bar, timing and feet lift. It meant the feet didn't touch the needle plate so couldn't sew thinner material - in short it worked but wasn't worth the trouble so I put it back to #69 thread.

You "should" be able to get it to work, with the correct feet, needle plate and feed dog (available from Kwok Hing, by the way) but it will never be as good as a proper upholstery-class machine. It is designed to be a binder. Sorry.

[Francesco]

No wonder I'm having so many problems. Thank you all for your responses and recommendations. I think I'll return the machine and look for something that actually works for me.

[kgg]

52 minutes ago, Francesco said:

I think I'll return the machine and look for something that actually works for me.

Before getting your next machine you should post a new topic that your are considering XXXX machines to do your particular work. You will get the good, bad and ugly about the machine before you buy it.

kgg