Puritan Awl & Needle. Please help!

[Ken1967]

Hello, happy to find you Folks;

I bought this machine about two years ago. Most times I can figure them out... but not this one -

I've looked at past threads at LeatherWorker.Net and found some info on Puritan awl and needle machine.

If anyone could be kind and help me with problems I'm having, it would be so appreciated. 

I've pulled the old machine out of the corner of my shop, again... stumped with the same old quandary.

How do you thread this machine?, two threads?  Bobbin?

Who is in possession of a manual for this machine, a could they help me out with a copy of it?

This machine will bring my "hobby craft" to a whole new level, once I have it figured out.

Any and all help would be much appreciated. 

Thanks. 

Ken.

 

[AEBL]

Previous thread here mentions that brand, some of the regulars have posted on there ... Uwe mentions some documentation at the Smithsonian, in image form, not PDF, but here that is also in this link. Uwe also mentioned a website for Puritan, but it is a dead link now. (http://www.puritanindustries.net <-- dead)

 

[Wizcrafts]

@Ken1967

All of the Puritan sewing machines are chainstitch machines and only use one thread, which is on top. A looper forms a chain under the leather or wood as you sew.

Because a chainstitch is vulnerable to being pulled apart, the Puritan machines have a (heated) wax pot that holds either dry or liquid stitching wax, which hardens or congeals after being sewn. You can also use waxed stitching thread in these machines, but may need to adjust the looper slightly to pull the sticky thread off the barbed needle. If you use regular bonded thread, glue down the starting and ending stitches on the underside.

A chainstitch is beautiful on the top, but ugly on the bottom. Only use it where the bottom won't be part of the visual experience.

Some uses of Puritan machines are work boots, shotgun cases that are lined, briefcases and luggage. In fact, many Redwing boots are sewn on Puritan machines with multiple needles. Some shoe soles are also sewn with a different style of chainstitch machine, known as a McKay stitcher. The chain is protected by an insole.

[CowboyBob]

@Ken1967 

The manual doesn't show threading just some adjustment tips. Here's a pic of one threaded. You go through the tension & then take off the brass piece holding the rubber stripper (at the bottom of the lube pot) run your thread though the rubber & then to the thread throw piece by the needle.

[Ken1967]

Thanks for helping me AEBL, Wizcrafts and CowboyBob.

The lead for the manuals was perfect. I studied up on them yesterday. 

Thanks for the threading pictures, CowboyBob.

Perhaps you guys could further educate me with my machine -

I removed the needle, looks like it's broken-

 

[Ken1967]

[Ken1967]

[Ken1967]

- So, that's the needle picture's. Is it called a needle.. or a hook?

Can anyone tell me the spec's, so I know what I'm asking for. Or better yet where I might be able to purchase some.

What about the wax pot? Is wax still in use, or are we using lubricant? Generally, for sewing heavy leather pieces together, what would be an average size thread, my needle size considered?

Has linen thread been replaced with a more modern polyester thread?

Who is a good supplier of materials needed?

...so many questions. 

....Well, I feel confident, with the help of you folks getting this machine up and running. I look forward to posting some pictures of it in action on the site.

Thanks for now!

Ken.