HELP! Nakajima 280-L

[Sblof]

Hi everyone! 
 

I have been saving for my first leather sewing machine and have not found anything in my price range. I stumbled upon an estate sale and thought it was a steal to get this Nakajima 280L. The women said she used it for upholstery and has always maintained it and just replaced the motor new. I jumped on it! She was very scattered brained and busy with her sale and couldn’t provide me much info. I’m very aware I may be in over my head having this machine as my first but would be entirely grateful for ANY advice but here are a few questions I have. 
 

1. The woman said I could only use the needles she gave me and I can’t even tell what they are. What type of needle/ thread weight should I use? Sewing two pieces of 3/4 oz leather together. 
 

2. She gave me the oil she uses. How often do I need to oil it? She said once a month. 
 

3. I see a lot about a smooth walking foot. I have to figure out if I have a rough one somehow. Tips?

 

4. Any advice is appreciated as I have been hand sewing for years and am completely new to a machine. Please be kind!

[friquant]

Welcome to the forum!
How about some pictures of the Nakajima, and of the new motor?

[Wizcrafts]

@Sblof

Your Nakajima 280L machine has been discussed on these forums, before. Here, here and here. It is a compound feed walking foot machine. It uses the common System 135x16 and 135x17 needles. It takes all manner of Singer 111 style feet. Most are smooth. It was a forerunner of the current Juki 1541.

[kgg]

@Sblof

Just to add to @Wizcrafts info the 135 x 16 needles would be for leather and the 135 x 17 would be used for fabric. An example would be for using V138 thread sewing leather you would need to use 135 X 16 X (size of needle) so you would need 135 X 16 X #23 or #24 depending on the thickness and toughness of the leather.

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

kgg