Singer 29-4 usable?

[wintermte]

Hi,

I've found an ad for a Singer 29-4 for pretty cheap ($350), and I've been looking for a sewing machine to use. I know almost nothing about sewing machines, so I need some advice. Is this a decent machine to use? Can it sew threw 6-8 oz tooling leather or multiple layers of lighter weight leather? Are there any how to use guides that anyone is aware of for using one of these?

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer.

Dan

[Wizcrafts]

A Singer 29-4 is an old cobblers' machine designed to repair shoes, boots, handbags and jacket zippers. It will sew approximately 1/4" thickness, using 29x3 or 29x4 series needles. Thread capacity is up to size T90 cotton, nylon or polycore. The bobbin is tiny in these machines, which date back to the early 1900's.

Patchers do not have feed dogs at all. They move the work via the pressor foot, which has sharp teeth and can be turned 360 degrees. The teeth will leave permanent marks in vegtan or harness leather.

The 29 series are known by their common use name: "Patcher" - as in shoe patcher. They are not designed for production, but for footwear repairs. A 29-4 is not going to sew 3 layers of 8 oz leather. If you really push it you might get 5/16" under the foot. Stitch length varies with the thickness of the work and is limited to about 6 to the inch, maximum (rebuilt 29-4's may yield up to 5/inch for a while). If the mechanism driving the foot is badly worn you will probably get less than 7 stitches to the inch, on 1/8" of leather and 8/inch on 1/4".

The condition of the inner moving parts depends on how old the machine is and how well it was maintained by all owners who used it. Certain parts are known to wear out and will need to be replaced with new-old stock, or made/beefed up in a metal shop. Bob Kovar, at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines - 866-362-7397, has replacement parts, needles and bobbins for Singer Patchers.

Edited January 22, 2010 by Wizcrafts

[BuckARoux]

A Singer 29-4 is an old cobblers' machine designed to repair shoes, boots, handbags and jacket zippers. It will sew approximately 1/4" thickness, using 29x3 or 29x4 series needles. Thread capacity is up to size T90 cotton, nylon or polycore. The bobbin is tiny in these machines, which date back to the early 1900's.

Patchers do not have feed dogs at all. They move the work via the pressor foot, which has sharp teeth and can be turned 360 degrees. The teeth will leave permanent marks in vegtan or harness leather.

The 29 series are known by their common use name: "Patcher" - as in shoe patcher. They are not designed for production, but for footwear repairs. A 29-4 is not going to sew 3 layers of 8 oz leather. If you really push it you might get 5/16" under the foot. Stitch length varies with the thickness of the work and is limited to about 6 to the inch, maximum (rebuilt 29-4's may yield up to 5/inch for a while). If the mechanism driving the foot is badly worn you will probably get less than 7 stitches to the inch, on 1/8" of leather and 8/inch on 1/4".

The condition of the inner moving parts depends on how old the machine is and how well it was maintained by all owners who used it. Certain parts are known to wear out and will need to be replaced with new-old stock, or made/beefed up in a metal shop. Bob Kovar, at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines - 866-362-7397, has replacement parts, needles and bobbins for Singer Patchers.

I totally agree my first machine was a 29-4 Ive made a lot of money with that old 40 dollar machine, I still use it daily. I wouldnt be without mine I sew patches on vests jackets boots shoes etc make small leather goods on it its just a great old machine

[Bayliss]

Hi, I know this is an old post but I am refurbishing a singer 29k at the moment. It might help if you have any problems or if you are just interested how it goes together.

http://northants-restoration.blogspot.com/

[MG513]

This was a good read as I am in the market for a 29-4! Thanks all

[Cascabel]

I have a 29-4, and it uses standard 135x16 and 135x17 needles quite nicely. I don't know if adjustments were made in order to use these common needles or not. It was set up for them when I got it.

[Wizcrafts]

I have a 29-4, and it uses standard 135x16 and 135x17 needles quite nicely. I don't know if adjustments were made in order to use these common needles or not. It was set up for them when I got it.

It is pure chance that the system 135x16 and 135x17 walking foot needles fit perfectly in old patchers. It is really good fortune because most manufacturers no longer produce the actual 29x3 or 29x4 needles. They did not have a scarf above the eye, like the walking foot needles have. Timing is a bit trickier on well worn machines.

[MG513]

I came across a Singer 29-4 from a reputable seller but he has not gotten back to me. I just replied to a Local craigslist ad that had an Adler Patcher in his photos, which model, I dont know, but it was silver, and looked to be in very good (cosmetic) condition. Something tells me Adlers cost more then Singers, can someone tell me why, is the diff in cost worth it, and is there something I should be checking for on the Adler if he happens to be flexible in price? What should i try to sew as a test? (BTW, I dont know how much he's asking for it yet, I literally just emailed, he's liquidating LOTS of saddle shop equipment)

[Constabulary]

You should try to test sew materials you are going to sew with the machine later of course. Cosmetic is a hint but the machine could have been repainted at one point of it´s life. You sometimes find Adler 30 machines in light gray but they do not have a mechanisms for disengaging the hand wheel so you can be sure these machines never have left the factory with this paint. But thats something not everybody knows and it does not mean the seller is cheating you - it just means the machine has been repainted or refurbished. But that tells you nothing about the technical condition. Especially for patcher machines it is important to test sew them before you pay a lot of $$$ - a lot of them are worn and a new paint job does not improve the stitch length.

[MG513]

You should try to test sew materials you are going to sew with the machine later of course. Cosmetic is a hint but the machine could have been repainted at one point of it´s life. You sometimes find Adler 30 machines in light gray but they do not have a mechanisms for disengaging the hand wheel so you can be sure these machines never have left the factory with this paint. But thats something not everybody knows and it does not mean the seller is cheating you - it just means the machine has been repainted or refurbished. But that tells you nothing about the technical condition. Especially for patcher machines it is important to test sew them before you pay a lot of $$$ - a lot of them are worn and a new paint job does not improve the stitch length.

Thats very true. I have a few pieces of leather at home and if I hear back from him again I know someone who was selling some veg tan scraps I can buy and take up there to try and sew with. Hes about an hour away so that drive is next to nothing.

Also, is 5 SPI what it should be stitching?? I hear this often, "check the SPI chef the SPI", but im just not sure whats good and what isn't... Any pointers on that? Or link to another thread maybe?