Introducing Barra, Sewing Machine Forum Moderator

[Johanna]

Barra has graciously consented to moderate the Sewing Machine Forum for us. I'll let him introduce himself and tell where he's from and what he does. What he does know is everything about sewing machines, sewing and more. Like Art, he's an expert. Thank you, Barra, for agreeing to keep an eye on this section. As LW grows, we have been fortunate to have many experienced people lend a hand where needed, and we are grateful to Barra for volunteering his time and expertise.

Johanna

[jimsaddler]

Barra has graciously consented to moderate the Sewing Machine Forum for us. I'll let him introduce himself and tell where he's from and what he does. What he does know is everything about sewing machines, sewing and more. Like Art, he's an expert. Thank you, Barra, for agreeing to keep an eye on this section. As LW grows, we have been fortunate to have many experienced people lend a hand where needed, and we are grateful to Barra for volunteering his time and expertise.

Johanna

Hi Barra

Kindest Regards

Jim Saddler

[gtwister09]

Barra,

Thanks for stepping forward.

Regards,

Ben

[Luke Hatley]

Barra ............The wiggling Pin aint working on the

wobbling shaft on my old sewing machine, what could be wrong.....

Thank you for being here for us.............

[Cobra Steve]

Hi Barra, nice to know you and best wishes. Steve

[Techsew Ron]

congrats, Barra!

[Denise]

Barra, welcome to the madhouse moderating crew. Glad to have your expertise formally available to all the members here. It is appreciated!

[barra]

G'day all. Now for a formal introduction. Bear with me as it's 3am and the first bucket of coffee has not kicked in.

Officially my name is Andrew but Barra is a play on my surname and most have called me this since I was about 10 yrs old.

Upon leaving (bolting out of the starting gates) school I commenced a Saddler & Harness makers apprenticeship with in my unbiased opinion one of the best Saddlers God ever handed a roundknife. As he was basically retired before I started with him he was not fussed with being commercially viable. In other words time was not money. For this reason he did not own a sewing machine and every stitch was done by hand. When I left I fast realised that for me to be viable I had to learn how to use an industrial sewing machine. I then joined the Airforce who taught me how to use an array of machine types while we fabricate Aircraft fabric components. They then sent a few of us off to the motor trimmer dept at a large automotive college for more indepth training.

Long story short I have been using Industrial sewing machines for in excess of 20 years. I spent 4 yrs teaching how to use sewing machines and as of Jan 2010 I will again be back teaching. I am not a sewing machine mechanic but 20 odd years in a fabricating workshop has taught me how to get a machine back on track after most hiccups. I also have access to the minds of some of the best sewing machine mechanics in the business. There are also others on LW.net with more knowledge on specific machines that I will ever have.

My personal hobby in conjunction with Leatherwork is collecting and sometimes restoring Industrial sewing machines and to this end I am more than willing to help out or seek out answers to sewing machine related questions.

Barra ............The wiggling Pin aint working on the

wobbling shaft on my old sewing machine, what could be wrong.....

Luke. Wiggling pins can sometimes become disorted when frustrated machinists have been extra vigorous attacking the wobbling shaft with an oversized knockometer. There comes a time in every machines life where a new lease on life can be achieved by connecting a heavy chain tightly to the arm and secure the other end of the chain to a strong point. This chain will protect you investment as you launch it over the side of the boat on a relaxing weekend fishing expedition.

Barra.

[tonyc1]

G'day all. Now for a formal introduction. Bear with me as it's 3am and the first bucket of coffee has not kicked in.

Officially my name is Andrew but Barra is a play on my surname and most have called me this since I was about 10 yrs old.

Upon leaving (bolting out of the starting gates) school I commenced a Saddler & Harness makers apprenticeship with in my unbiased opinion one of the best Saddlers God ever handed a roundknife. As he was basically retired before I started with him he was not fussed with being commercially viable. In other words time was not money. For this reason he did not own a sewing machine and every stitch was done by hand. When I left I fast realised that for me to be viable I had to learn how to use an industrial sewing machine. I then joined the Airforce who taught me how to use an array of machine types while we fabricate Aircraft fabric components. They then sent a few of us off to the motor trimmer dept at a large automotive college for more indepth training.

Long story short I have been using Industrial sewing machines for in excess of 20 years. I spent 4 yrs teaching how to use sewing machines and as of Jan 2010 I will again be back teaching. I am not a sewing machine mechanic but 20 odd years in a fabricating workshop has taught me how to get a machine back on track after most hiccups. I also have access to the minds of some of the best sewing machine mechanics in the business. There are also others on LW.net with more knowledge on specific machines that I will ever have.

My personal hobby in conjunction with Leatherwork is collecting and sometimes restoring Industrial sewing machines and to this end I am more than willing to help out or seek out answers to sewing machine related questions.

Barra ............The wiggling Pin aint working on the

wobbling shaft on my old sewing machine, what could be wrong.....

Luke. Wiggling pins can sometimes become disorted when frustrated machinists have been extra vigorous attacking the wobbling shaft with an oversized knockometer. There comes a time in every machines life where a new lease on life can be achieved by connecting a heavy chain tightly to the arm and secure the other end of the chain to a strong point. This chain will protect you investment as you launch it over the side of the boat on a relaxing weekend fishing expedition.

Barra.

Like the humour, should be more of it!

Tony.

[jimsaddler]

G'day all. Now for a formal introduction. Bear with me as it's 3am and the first bucket of coffee has not kicked in.

Officially my name is Andrew but Barra is a play on my surname and most have called me this since I was about 10 yrs old.

Upon leaving (bolting out of the starting gates) school I commenced a Saddler & Harness makers apprenticeship with in my unbiased opinion one of the best Saddlers God ever handed a roundknife. As he was basically retired before I started with him he was not fussed with being commercially viable. In other words time was not money. For this reason he did not own a sewing machine and every stitch was done by hand. When I left I fast realised that for me to be viable I had to learn how to use an industrial sewing machine. I then joined the Airforce who taught me how to use an array of machine types while we fabricate Aircraft fabric components. They then sent a few of us off to the motor trimmer dept at a large automotive college for more indepth training.

Long story short I have been using Industrial sewing machines for in excess of 20 years. I spent 4 yrs teaching how to use sewing machines and as of Jan 2010 I will again be back teaching. I am not a sewing machine mechanic but 20 odd years in a fabricating workshop has taught me how to get a machine back on track after most hiccups. I also have access to the minds of some of the best sewing machine mechanics in the business. There are also others on LW.net with more knowledge on specific machines that I will ever have.

My personal hobby in conjunction with Leatherwork is collecting and sometimes restoring Industrial sewing machines and to this end I am more than willing to help out or seek out answers to sewing machine related questions.

Barra ............The wiggling Pin aint working on the

wobbling shaft on my old sewing machine, what could be wrong.....

Luke. Wiggling pins can sometimes become disorted when frustrated machinists have been extra vigorous attacking the wobbling shaft with an oversized knockometer. There comes a time in every machines life where a new lease on life can be achieved by connecting a heavy chain tightly to the arm and secure the other end of the chain to a strong point. This chain will protect you investment as you launch it over the side of the boat on a relaxing weekend fishing expedition.

Barra.

Hi Barra

I thought I was the only one who used the Wiggly ones as Moorings. Another use for wiggly pins is to stuff up the Barrel of Air Rifles! (did that when I was about 10yrs old), Dad did not like it for some reason. It was the Wiggly Shear pin from an old 7-31 Singer. It went in 2" and jammed never to be removed again

Hey lets have more wiggly stories. I've got a not so nice one about an unwanted Fix.

Many Moons ago I was moving Shop. Only a couple of Doors down the Street, so I was using a Hand Trolley carefully to cart my Sewing Machines along the Footpath. It came the turn of my much treasured Pearson No6. So I very carefully loaded it onto the Trolley and started off on the journey of aprox 50 yards. Well, suddenly a Guy rushed up yelling I'll help ya, while making a grab for the carefully balanced Machine. You guessed it! Over goes the Pearson Head and what was a perfectly wonderful Machine, instantly became a pile of Spare parts including more than a few Wiggly Pins and bits. Sorry the Good Samaritan yelled as he ducked the Wiggly misiles aimed at his Wiggly Head while heading for the Rail Station to leave Town to avoid the Tar & Feathering he deserved!

The broken Bones of the stripped Pearson served faithfully as a Gate Prop after that, while the Parts became the start of my collection of Rare Spares for Sewing Machines.

I no longer move Machines where others can help!

This is a True Story only the description of the Guy as a Good Samaritan is a Lie as I can't swear on this Forum.

Barra has a few tales to tell also I can assure you as I knew his Boss.

Please have a good Week-end.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

[Kate]

<SNIP>

There comes a time in every machines life where a new lease on life can be achieved by connecting a heavy chain tightly to the arm and secure the other end of the chain to a strong point. This chain will protect you investment as you launch it over the side of the boat on a relaxing weekend fishing expedition.

Barra.

HEAR! HEAR!

that adequately describes the general condition of the Davis Vertical Feed industrial (leather) machine I had for a while. The only one of its kind I have ever seen anyplace, the poor wee thing (all 80 pounds of her) was literally hung together underneath with hardware store nuts and washers. The only needle was a something-else round shank that had a flat inaccurately ground on one side, and even the self described industrial expert on the Needlebar site could not tell me what needles to look for! The bobbin was home made from a box nail and a brass washer brazed on the other end..... the shuttle had a monster chip from the pointed end that I had to stone the bejaysus out of to get her to pick up the thread.

I had it a year, finally found needles that would sew in it (for Singer button sewing machine) and promptly found her a new home with another fanatic - er, old sewing machine person.

Now HE has a nice boat anchor and I have more room in the shop!

Warm welcomes, and hope you have a fun ride here!

Kate