reuben cogburn Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Hi y'all.... I'm pretty new here.. This is my first post actually. I'm currently using a Tippmann Boss, to do my stitching. It is a fair machine, and it works better now, since I read the manual and watched the video a few hundred times. My question is this...... I really need a backup machine, and I prefer a manual machine as opposed to electric (I'm on limited electricity as I live quite remote in Alaska..) What are my options? I met a guy who said he had three treadle machines that he used to use for harness repair.. I think he said they were "singers". Anywhoo I haven't been able to reach him as of yet to investigate, and an internet search turned up no results for a singer machine like this. And I haven't had much luck finding suppliers online as yet.. I don't have much issue with the Tippmann other than I think it is way over priced for what it is... Any of your thoughts or experiences with manual machines would be greatly appreciated! Regards y'all... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted April 6, 2010 Welcome to Leatherworker.net, best site on the whole WWW! Without making any suggestions, here's a couple of things to consider: A "treadle machine" simply means that it's powered by a foot pedal driving the machine instead of a motor. That means that almost any machine that runs on a motor could run on a treadle- that is, if you've got the leg to do it. Going through thick leather would certainly be a challenge, so I suggest a hefty balance wheel to go with it. There are a couple of Singer 29-x models that have come up on Ebay, and several were treadle machines. The 29 isn't really a heavy duty stitcher, as it's designed for work more along the lines of repairs and patching. Also, most machines can be run without electricity- you just won't want to. The Boss is designed as a manual machine and the lever gives the user the leverage needed to do the job. I can't really see hand turning a small pully through thick leather as feasible. If you get one with a BIG balance wheel, you could do it, but then again....why? Regarding the Boss, there have been a slew of disparaging remarks and a few good ones about Tippmann's decision to go with a cast aluminum frame instead of the cast iron. You can read about that topic in the sewing machine forum. There is also the (undermentioned, IMO) Luberto's Classic Cub (6 & 9 inch throat versions). It is a needlefeed/jumpfoot machine and is manual. Here is a link to one of the discussions about it: click me . See post #4 for the response I got from Luberto's. I'm still looking for a machine too, and I've just about settled on the Cub 6 inch version. I might get the 9, but I'm not sure yet. I like the size and portability of it, the fact that it's cast iron, and made here in the USA. The thing for me is: I absolutely LOVE to tinker, and I have a machinist at my disposal, a full machine shop to play with........care to guess what I'm planning? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougVL Report post Posted May 12, 2010 Since he's sewing leather, the treadle machines are quite likely to be Singer 29K models (or 29-4, a little older model in the same series). Most I've seen (in pictures online) have a good-sized flywheel with hand crank and work well when hand powered. I have a 29K51 and it has a big wheel, very easy to crank. I also added a motor and speed control pedal salvaged from an old portable Singer machine. Now I can crank for quick jobs or plug in for longer ones. It's a great machine. Doug Hi y'all.... I'm pretty new here.. This is my first post actually. I'm currently using a Tippmann Boss, to do my stitching. It is a fair machine, and it works better now, since I read the manual and watched the video a few hundred times. My question is this...... I really need a backup machine, and I prefer a manual machine as opposed to electric (I'm on limited electricity as I live quite remote in Alaska..) What are my options? I met a guy who said he had three treadle machines that he used to use for harness repair.. I think he said they were "singers". Anywhoo I haven't been able to reach him as of yet to investigate, and an internet search turned up no results for a singer machine like this. And I haven't had much luck finding suppliers online as yet.. I don't have much issue with the Tippmann other than I think it is way over priced for what it is... Any of your thoughts or experiences with manual machines would be greatly appreciated! Regards y'all... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
