Glove sewing machine advice

[Angiemarie]

Hi

I sew 0.3mm kangaroo skin gloves. I use a home sewing machine which has plenty of punching power but would love a walking foot machine. The issue I have is the underside / inside of the leather hide sticking on both the presser foot and bed. I have tried Teflon and roller feet, magic tape on the bed, talc on the flat side of the leather or to try and resist drag.

I have also purchased a vintage Singer 66k sewing machine and added an industrial roller wheel foot which works well for the drag issue. The issue now is the motor can’t sew very slowly - it humms and stalls at slow speed so I press the pedal harder then the machine takes off too fast - no good for sewing around tight small curves such as the top of the fingers. I have tried adjusting the belt tension, servicing motor etc.

Can anyone recommend a good machine that is capable of slow speed, good feeding and doesn’t use thick heavy duty thread please? I sew with a Schmetz 90 leather needle. thanks

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Angiemarie said:

Hi

I sew 0.3mm kangaroo skin gloves. 

Can anyone recommend a good machine that is capable of slow speed, good feeding and doesn’t use thick heavy duty thread please? I sew with a Schmetz 90 leather needle. thanks

Are you aware of glove sewing machines? These are specialty post bed machines that are mounted onto industrial sewing machine tables that can have a servo for precise control. They have a tiny top profile that gets inside the fingers of the gloves.

Aside from dedicated glove machines, you could find a used post bed machine that already has a small roller foot and possibly a roller feed dog. These are used to sew hats and caps, or arm holes in shirts and vests.

[Wizcrafts]

Here is a YouTube video showing a glove sewing machine in operation: 

 

[Angiemarie]

33 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

Are you aware of glove sewing machines? These are specialty post bed machines that are mounted onto industrial sewing machine tables that can have a servo for precise control. They have a tiny top profile that gets inside the fingers of the gloves.

Aside from dedicated glove machines, you could find a used post bed machine that already has a small roller foot and possibly a roller feed dog. These are used to sew hats and caps, or arm holes in shirts and vests.

Thanks for your reply, I really anppreciate it annd for the video link - they are interesting machines…

I am aware of glove sewing machines but know of no one who has one or have not been able to locate one here in Australia unfortunately so I am unsure whether they would be suitable for such thin leather?  I do know some also use a Bonis type sewing machine but again cannot locate one (eg Singer 172) . The fur sewing machines are plentiful here but they don’t do a lock stitch so that’s why I have been experimenting with an older flat bed. Historical pics I have found show both the post type and flatbed machines in old factories.  I wish I also knew someone who made fine leather gloves….

 

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Angiemarie said:

I am aware of glove sewing machines but know of no one who has one or have not been able to locate one here in Australia unfortunately so I am unsure whether they would be suitable for such thin leather?  I do know some also use a Bonis type sewing machine but again cannot locate one (eg Singer 172) . The fur sewing machines are plentiful here but they don’t do a lock stitch so that’s why I have been experimenting with an older flat bed. Historical pics I have found show both the post type and flatbed machines in old factories.

I think you might have a good shot at it with a post bed machine that has a roller foot and a roller feed dog.

[dikman]

It sounds like your machine has a clutch motor - big, heavy and fast! It takes a lot to learn to feather the clutch on these to go slow (I couldn't do it!). If so what you need is a servo motor, possibly in conjunction with a pulley speed reducer. This will enable you to sew slow without worrying about it accidentally taking off like a runaway freight train.

[friquant]

4 hours ago, Angiemarie said:

I have also purchased a vintage Singer 66k sewing machine and added an industrial roller wheel foot which works well for the drag issue. The issue now is the motor can’t sew very slowly - it humms and stalls at slow speed so I press the pedal harder then the machine takes off too fast - no good for sewing around tight small curves such as the top of the fingers.

You may be able to gear down your Singer 66k. I did this by screwing a 245mm machine pulley to the existing handwheel of my Singer 31-15. Here is my post about it, with video showing slow-ish stitching. You would probably need to reposition your motor to make room for the oversize pulley.