New to me Cobra Class 29-18

[LMullins]

Hey Folks,

Managed to pick up a Cobra Class 29-18 for just $920 today. Pretty excited, I've been looking for a Singer 29k for months and just had to snatch this up.  
 

Anyway, I know there are folks on here that swear by their patchers and I'm looking for you folks to drop some of that knowledge. I have a Cobra Class 4, so this will not be pushed very far. Likely just wallets and boots/shoe repair. I'll likely have to file down the teeth since these impressions are SHARP, but aside from that..
 

I currently don't have thin enough thread for this machine (#69-#138) but I did thread it up with 207 and it faired pretty well considering it's outside the suggested limit. 
 

I'll be picking up some thread tomorrow, what would you folks recommend?

As far as patchers go, should the bobbin thread be smaller than the top? #138 top and #92 bobbin?

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, LMullins said:

file down the teeth since these impressions are SHARP

I don't recommend that. The sole means of feed is those sharp teeth. Rather than dull them, try sliding some flexible carburetor tubing over the legs. Or, simply reduce the foot pressure via the pressure screw.

[kgg]

8 hours ago, LMullins said:

As far as patchers go, should the bobbin thread be smaller than the top? #138 top and #92 bobbin?

Keep in mind that the strength of the stitch will be of the smaller thread size where V138 has a breaking strength of approximately 22 lbs and V92 has a breaking strength of approximately 14.5 lbs so the stitch strength would be limited to 14.5 lbs. Most times I think this is done for top stitch appearance.

kgg

[TomE]

My 29-18 is very happy with V92 thread (top and bottom), and I occasionally run V138 top and bottom.  I am mainly sewing boot zippers and horse blankets where it is convenient to change directions with the rotating head.  You got a real bargain!  I paid twice that for an older, white 29-18 that had seen little use.  I bought a spare bobbin case and presser foot from LMC.  I did take the sharp edges off the presser foot teeth using some 600 grit abrasive paper and a buffing wheel.  It feels about the same as the new unmodified foot but the marking is less noticeable.  I like @Wizcrafts's more conservative approach.   

[LMullins]

31 minutes ago, TomE said:

My 29-18 is very happy with V92 thread (top and bottom), and I occasionally run V138 top and bottom.  I am mainly sewing boot zippers and horse blankets where it is convenient to change directions with the rotating head.  You got a real bargain!  I paid twice that for an older, white 29-18 that had seen little use.  I bought a spare bobbin case and presser foot from LMC.  I did take the sharp edges off the presser foot teeth using some 600 grit abrasive paper and a buffing wheel.  It feels about the same as the new unmodified foot but the marking is less noticeable.  I like @Wizcrafts's more conservative approach.   

Thanks for the response! I may get both thread sizes just to see which I prefer.

 

What needle size would you recommend for each thread size? Any suggestions?

[Wizcrafts]

3 hours ago, LMullins said:

What needle size would you recommend for each thread size? Any suggestions?

I use  these needle sizes with these thread sizes:

• #18 needle with #69 thread
• #19 needle with #92 thread
• #22 or 23 needle with #138 thread.