Cambell-Randall stitcher

[ryano]

I am looking for a cambell-randall needle and awl machine for a fair, reasonable price. You will not make a half of a years salary off of me! lol

Thanks!

Ryan

[Dink]

Good luck with this I have also been watching for one, Canbell Bosworth has them and jack joseph has a couple you are looking at +- 4000 complete. I have also been considering the landis 16

I am looking for a cambell-randall needle and awl machine for a fair, reasonable price. You will not make a half of a years salary off of me! lol

Thanks!

Ryan

[jman]

I bought a campbell from Jack at oldcowpoke a couple a months ago and it is worth every penny.

Edited October 18, 2009 by jman

[ryano]

I just started the search for one. I do have some parts, razor feet and plates and 3 sets of pricker feet (5-12) for this machine. Something will show up eventually, I hope. Did the Old Cow poke treat you well on this machine?

Thanks,

Ryan

[jman]

Yes, he did treat me well. He shipped the machne to me - 2 000 miles and it arrived 2.5 days later. The machine is everything he said it was.

[ryano]

I was just informed that the Cambell machines were lease machines and the Randalls were bought machines. Meaning that the serial number on the Cambell machines should be called in to make sure they have a clear title before you purchace it. If they do not and you buy it, the machine will be taken away from you by Cambell. You then will have to pay Cambell for a complete machine rebuild and not even have a machine. That is one of the biggest crocks I have ever heard. Cam someone please elaborate on this?

Thanks!

Edited October 21, 2009 by ryano

[Ken Nelson]

Check the message board on Proleptic Inc. There have been several hook and awl machines on it.

[CampbellRandall]

I was just informed that the Cambell machines were lease machines and the Randalls were bought machines. Meaning that the serial number on the Cambell machines should be called in to make sure they have a clear title before you purchace it. If they do not and you buy it, the machine will be taken away from you by Cambell. You then will have to pay Cambell for a complete machine rebuild and not even have a machine. That is one of the biggest crocks I have ever heard. Cam someone please elaborate on this?

Thanks!

I'm not sure who told you this, but its not entirely true.

Yes - for many years Campbell's were lease only (rent) machines. Customers could buy the lease and rent the machines for about $50 a month. This became a problem in later years due to all the paperwork and taxes we had to pay for the program. In the last decade we sold most of the lease machines to the customers, and new customers have the option to lease to own. It just makes more sense for us and the customer.

To make matters worse, we had a few bad apples stop paying rent and then fell off the radar with the machines. These were stolen machines. We were able to track most of them down, but a few are still floating around. For new customers, we ask for the serial numbers of used machines. If we find the machine was stolen, we may ask for information on the previous owner so we can prosecute if necessary. We have never repossessed a machine without some compensation or options to the unlucky owner. We will not force anyone to buy a rebuilt machine.

Now, if you buy a stolen car and the owner asks for it back, is that wrong? If you are going to buy a used machine, its worth the free phone call to check if the serial number is legit. Also be careful who you are buying from. If the deal sounds to good to be true, it may be.

[ryano]

I'm not sure who told you this, but its not entirely true.

Yes - for many years Campbell's were lease only (rent) machines. Customers could buy the lease and rent the machines for about $50 a month. This became a problem in later years due to all the paperwork and taxes we had to pay for the program. In the last decade we sold most of the lease machines to the customers, and new customers have the option to lease to own. It just makes more sense for us and the customer.

To make matters worse, we had a few bad apples stop paying rent and then fell off the radar with the machines. These were stolen machines. We were able to track most of them down, but a few are still floating around. For new customers, we ask for the serial numbers of used machines. If we find the machine was stolen, we may ask for information on the previous owner so we can prosecute if necessary. We have never repossessed a machine without some compensation or options to the unlucky owner. We will not force anyone to buy a rebuilt machine.

Now, if you buy a stolen car and the owner asks for it back, is that wrong? If you are going to buy a used machine, its worth the free phone call to check if the serial number is legit. Also be careful who you are buying from. If the deal sounds to good to be true, it may be.

Thanks for the great response! The only thing I thought was a crock, was if you had to return the machine plus $3500.00 to rebuild it. You will be getting a phone call very soon on a serial number. Thanks again.

[Hilly]

Please excuse my ignorance, but can someone please explain the difference between a regular old machine, such as an Artisan Toro 3000 and a needle and awl machine? What are they used for? Can you post some examples of the stitching difference between a "regular" machine and a needle and awl machine? I know it's probably asking a lot, but enquiring minds want to know.

Thanks much,

Hilly

[jman]

Hilly

Needle & Awl

* made in America

* designed to stitch leather

* an awl at the top punch a hole and advance the work

a hooked needle comes trough the bottom and grab

the top thread

* makes a very tight stitch and stitches are always the same length

* no reverse

* tracks very straight

* last forever

Artisan 3000

* made in China

* designed to sew woven materials

* have reverse

* stitch lengths will deviate when turning corners

* compound feed

* does not track straight

* needle is large with an eye for the thread

Edited October 22, 2009 by jman

[Hilly]

Hilly

Needle & Awl

* made in America

* designed to stitch leather

* an awl at the top punch a hole and advance the work

a hooked needle comes trough the bottom and grab

the top thread

* makes a very tight stitch and stitches are always the same length

* no reverse

* tracks very straight

* last forever

Artisan 3000

* made in China

* designed to sew woven materials

* have reverse

* stitch lengths will deviate when turning corners

* compound feed

* does not track straight

* needle is large with an eye for the thread

Thanks Jman, for satisfying my curiosity. There seems to be quite a difference in the stitching!

[cumberlandhighpower]

I have a randall/Campbell, But it's not for sale.

I am just making a post.

I paid 1200 for mine, and when I decided to buy one, i advertised on leatherworker australia, and a few other boards.

Within a month I had several leads, and 3 good machines at 3 good prices. 1200, 1500 and 1850.

This was in 2006.

You'd be surprised how often you come across a good deal on a randall or campbell. I have seen a few sell cheaply on Ebay, although they're somewhat rare.

Ebay generally brings 1100-2000 or so for nice clean machines.

4000 for a used machine from Campbell-Randall is too high, they're just selling the same used machine you'll find anywhere else.

If you opt for a rebuilt one, you'll be much happier, rebuilt machines will last a lifetime without failure.

The Randall I have gets used about 20 hrs a week, for the past 3 years.

Just be patient and advertise, you'll eventually get a reasonable offer from someone.

(And be prepared to drive).

-CS

[ryano]

I have a randall/Campbell, But it's not for sale.

I am just making a post.

I paid 1200 for mine, and when I decided to buy one, i advertised on leatherworker australia, and a few other boards.

Within a month I had several leads, and 3 good machines at 3 good prices. 1200, 1500 and 1850.

This was in 2006.

You'd be surprised how often you come across a good deal on a randall or campbell. I have seen a few sell cheaply on Ebay, although they're somewhat rare.

Ebay generally brings 1100-2000 or so for nice clean machines.

4000 for a used machine from Campbell-Randall is too high, they're just selling the same used machine you'll find anywhere else.

If you opt for a rebuilt one, you'll be much happier, rebuilt machines will last a lifetime without failure.

The Randall I have gets used about 20 hrs a week, for the past 3 years.

Just be patient and advertise, you'll eventually get a reasonable offer from someone.

(And be prepared to drive).

-CS

Thanks CS. I am still looking.

[cumberlandhighpower]

I forgot to ask Ryano,

What kind of stitching do you do? What kind of items do you plan to make?

The Randall/Campbell machines the premier machine for stitching certain heavy leather articles, but have many limitations outside of precision stitching small leather goods...

They have a narrow throat (about 8 inches) and cannot sew woven synthetics...And no reverse.

If you plan to sew any techical textle or vinyl, you may be better off with a standard Unison Feed Threaded Needle Machine like the Adler 205 or the Seiko/Juke Clones...

Randall/Campbell Machines do not sew with Nylon thread well either, they have all kind of tension problems with it....(Some may have success in limited areas).

You pretty much have to stick to Polyester or Linen on one.....

They are not fast machines either, I have read claims of 300 stitches a min on a Campbell/Randall, I simply do not believe it. More like 120/ min if you want your machine to last any time at all.

Back tacking is for all purposes impossible as well. I do it on mine, but i have a special set of needle/awl that I've modified for a special job.

They are without equal on small leather goods, but have many limiations on anything else.

If you're really looking for a universal machine, I would buy an adler 205 or a Seiko style machine....

[ryano]

I forgot to ask Ryano,

What kind of stitching do you do? What kind of items do you plan to make?

The Randall/Campbell machines the premier machine for stitching certain heavy leather articles, but have many limitations outside of precision stitching small leather goods...

They have a narrow throat (about 8 inches) and cannot sew woven synthetics...And no reverse.

If you plan to sew any techical textle or vinyl, you may be better off with a standard Unison Feed Threaded Needle Machine like the Adler 205 or the Seiko/Juke Clones...

Randall/Campbell Machines do not sew with Nylon thread well either, they have all kind of tension problems with it....(Some may have success in limited areas).

You pretty much have to stick to Polyester or Linen on one.....

They are not fast machines either, I have read claims of 300 stitches a min on a Campbell/Randall, I simply do not believe it. More like 120/ min if you want your machine to last any time at all.

Back tacking is for all purposes impossible as well. I do it on mine, but i have a special set of needle/awl that I've modified for a special job.

They are without equal on small leather goods, but have many limiations on anything else.

If you're really looking for a universal machine, I would buy an adler 205 or a Seiko style machine....

Thanks for the reply! I am looking to sew complete leather carriage harness including the blinds, rounds, tugs. Like I said all of it. I sew it all now with a 97-10. I made my own rein round attachment. I also made an adapter and use Randall/Campbell feet. I did that because I have about 25 different styles of Randall feet and I also needed to use the knife foot for my rounds. The Randall/Campbell is the best for this and I want to use the best. Thanks again!

Edited January 5, 2010 by ryano

[Kevin]

I used to backstitch on my Campbell all the time, no prob, just put the awl in next to the thread and it will go into the same hole and make a stitch in the same hole without cutting the thread already there.

Kevin