Problem With Stirrup Plate On Ferdinand Bull

[alb]

Does anyone have an idea what would cause my machine to skip stitches when changing to the stirrup plate? It's making a beautiful stitch with the flat plate and not skipping anything and upon changing to the stirrup plate it's skipping most of the stitches. I've moved the plate to the right as far as I can (the needle is a cards width from the left side of the slot). I've also checked the timing and that's fine.

I'll be on the phone with Ferdco tomorrow but I wondered if any of you have had a similar problem.

Thanks,

Ann

[David Genadek]

Does anyone have an idea what would cause my machine to skip stitches when changing to the stirrup plate? It's making a beautiful stitch with the flat plate and not skipping anything and upon changing to the stirrup plate it's skipping most of the stitches. I've moved the plate to the right as far as I can (the needle is a cards width from the left side of the slot). I've also checked the timing and that's fine.

I'll be on the phone with Ferdco tomorrow but I wondered if any of you have had a similar problem.

Thanks,

Ann

Ann,

You did not mention what you were sewing. We have had the problem here but we use an Adler so I'm not sure it is the same . On ours you take off the bottom feeder foot so you no longer have compound feed. Because it is now just a needle feed machine you have to be sure to gently guide the material or you will deflect the needle and the hook will miss the loop. We used to do a lot of stirrups and every new person would go through the stitch skipping until they would relax and let the machine do the work. I also altered the plate by rounding the corners and grinding the edge that will be next to the leather so I could get my stitch line where I wanted it and this helped releave some of the pressure on the needle. I have attached a photo of my alterations. The plate pictured has done many thousands of stirrups.

I often use cardboard mock ups to train people on the machine. I also do this if I am doing high end custom work so I can get my hand moves down before I go to the leather that I have many hours in.

David Genadek

[alb]

David,

Thanks for the ideas. Unfortunately I'm still having the problem. The Ferdinand Bull is not a compound feed, it's a straight needle feed. I was actually sewing a couple of pieces of 8oz scrap as this was the first time I'd stitched stirrups on this machine. My mentor has stitched many a stirrup on it, but it's been awhile.

I worked through a few things with Ferdco on the phone today but we didn't solve the problem. They're going to call me back in the morning when the Ferdinand guy gets there. I continue to be impressed with their support - though I wish they had longer hours....

Again, thanks for your response. I appreciate you taking the time.

If anyone has any other ideas, I'm all ears.

Ann

[kevinhopkins]

Hi... It's still possible that it could be a timing issue.... maybe unlikely.... But if a machine is timed so that it's operating at what I call the top limit of the timing range, or the bottom limit, it takes very little to push it over the edge so that you get some skipped stitches. Probably not the case with yours, but it's nice to know. It really tends to be more of a problem when going from leather that you normally sew, to much thicker or thinner leather. Anyway, I just like to throw a couple of cents around, even if they aren't worth much most of the time! Hope you get sewing soon!

Kevin

[David Genadek]

David,

Thanks for the ideas. Unfortunately I'm still having the problem. The Ferdinand Bull is not a compound feed, it's a straight needle feed. I was actually sewing a couple of pieces of 8oz scrap as this was the first time I'd stitched stirrups on this machine. My mentor has stitched many a stirrup on it, but it's been awhile.

I worked through a few things with Ferdco on the phone today but we didn't solve the problem. They're going to call me back in the morning when the Ferdinand guy gets there. I continue to be impressed with their support - though I wish they had longer hours....

Again, thanks for your response. I appreciate you taking the time.

If anyone has any other ideas, I'm all ears.

Ann

I just looked at the Bull set up and like thier plate better than the one I use. A few other issues can cause it. If your liner is too thick and you have to push in on the stirrup to get the stitch line where you want it the needle will deflect. Another common issue is that in your prep you have left space between your outside piece and your liner. I use an air chisel to force that gap closed but a tickler will work too. If there is a gap between the liner and outside piece it can cause needle deflection.

David Genadek

[alb]

Woohoo - success!!!

It turns out the needle needed to be even closer to the left side of the plate, close enough that the tip of the needle missed the edge but just above the tip the needle actually hit the side of the slot and is deflected by the stirrup plate. (this is the setup at least - the needle is probably not hitting once it pierces the leather. )

Of course I figured this out after trying many other things and learning a whole lot more about my machine. I was almost resigned to purchasing a new $250 shuttle but tried this as a last ditch effort.

Thanks again David and Kevin for the replies - by the way - what is an air chisel?

After getting the stirrup stitched - which turned out great by the way - I can see how getting that gap closed is very important.

Ann

I just looked at the Bull set up and like thier plate better than the one I use. A few other issues can cause it. If your liner is too thick and you have to push in on the stirrup to get the stitch line where you want it the needle will deflect. Another common issue is that in your prep you have left space between your outside piece and your liner. I use an air chisel to force that gap closed but a tickler will work too. If there is a gap between the liner and outside piece it can cause needle deflection.

David Genadek

[David Genadek]

Woohoo - success!!!

It turns out the needle needed to be even closer to the left side of the plate, close enough that the tip of the needle missed the edge but just above the tip the needle actually hit the side of the slot and is deflected by the stirrup plate. (this is the setup at least - the needle is probably not hitting once it pierces the leather. )

Of course I figured this out after trying many other things and learning a whole lot more about my machine. I was almost resigned to purchasing a new $250 shuttle but tried this as a last ditch effort.

Thanks again David and Kevin for the replies - by the way - what is an air chisel?

After getting the stirrup stitched - which turned out great by the way - I can see how getting that gap closed is very important.

Ann

Great for setting the liners it gets all the wrinkles out which is important as it is the edge you are guiding with when sewing. It is also great for doing cantle bindings.

David Genadek

[alb]

Cool idea to use this. I'd like to see it in action.

Too bad I don't have a large air compressor in the shop.....

I was in another guy's shop awhile back where they used a spray gun for spraying contact cement. I was amazed at the control they had and the speed with which they worked.

Ann