I Wish Buy A Campbell But....

[awharnessshop]

Bob, that Union got the best of me! I hate to admit it, but it did! Ah we can only dream right? I'll get a Campbell one of these days... How goes things in Flint? I was going to email Campbell Randall to get a price on a new machine about an hour ago... TOO TEMPTING!

The Union Lockstitch you traded to me does all that too. There are pressor feet and throat plates for round reins, raised work (holsters, stirrups, buckles, snaps), beaded line steppers and even a stitch in the ditch set. There is even a special foot used by Wilson to sew footballs. You should have held onto it!

I agree though; it would be nice to own a Campbell Randall! Nothing sews holsters, straps or harness like a Randall. I had my chance when Sam Friedman offered to sell me one of his. If only ...

[Wizcrafts]

Bob, that Union got the best of me! I hate to admit it, but it did! Ah we can only dream right? I'll get a Campbell one of these days... How goes things in Flint? I was going to email Campbell Randall to get a price on a new machine about an hour ago... TOO TEMPTING!

Andrew;

Things are moving along not too badly, considering where I live. I just built a holster for an 8" bbl Dan Wesson .45 LC revolver, with bullet loops sewn on the front, on my (your ex) ULS machine. The ULS has no trouble at all penetrating 4 layers of 8+ ounce veg-tan leather. I use #277 bonded nylon most of the time, but occasionally, #346 polyester.

If you do buy a Campbell Randall, get some #346 bonded polyester thread with it and various sizes of needles and awls, plus lots of bobbins. If you opt to buy linen thread, I recommend 4 and 5 cord Barbour's Irish Linen, left twist, and a gallon of Lax Wax. The cheaper Hungarian linen thread is not as well smoothed and bonded and has lots of loose "hairs."

It's too bad we live so far apart. If we were in the same area we could split the cost and use of a Randall! I understand that Dan sells them fully rebuilt for under a gazillion dollars!

Edited October 5, 2010 by Wizcrafts

[awharnessshop]

Andrew;

Things are moving along not too badly, considering where I live. I just built a holster for an 8" bbl Dan Wesson .45 LC revolver, with bullet loops sewn on the front, on my (your ex) ULS machine. The ULS has no trouble at all penetrating 4 layers of 8+ ounce veg-tan leather. I use #277 bonded nylon most of the time, but occasionally, #346 polyester.

If you do buy a Campbell Randall, get some #346 bonded polyester thread with it and various sizes of needles and awls, plus lots of bobbins. If you opt to buy linen thread, I recommend 4 and 5 cord Barbour's Irish Linen, left twist, and a gallon of Lax Wax. The cheaper Hungarian linen thread is not as well smoothed and bonded and has lots of loose "hairs."

It's too bad we live so far apart. If we were in the same area we could split the cost and use of a Randall! I understand that Dan sells them fully rebuilt for under a gazillion dollars!

I am going to get one Bob! I am glad that you have the ULS up and running! I started on four quick hitch work harnesses last night I want to get them done by next week, and I will start a Campbell Randall fund! After buying a used ULS, I think when I get a new needle and Awl, it will be NEW NEW and all up and working! That adler runs great still, sewed some saddle pads on it the other day, but it doesnt get a 1/10th of the work the 441 clone does!- it does sew better

[Wizcrafts]

I am going to get one Bob! I am glad that you have the ULS up and running! I started on four quick hitch work harnesses last night I want to get them done by next week, and I will start a Campbell Randall fund! After buying a used ULS, I think when I get a new needle and Awl, it will be NEW NEW and all up and working! That adler runs great still, sewed some saddle pads on it the other day, but it doesnt get a 1/10th of the work the 441 clone does!- it does sew better

When you do make the trek to Campbell-Bosworth, stay onsite a while and learn all you can about not only threading and operating, but also adjusting the Randall stitcher. Bring some harness traces and practice sewing them at the factory. Try different threads you are interested in using to find the ones you want to stick with, then buy a sufficient quantity with the machine. Ask for assistance if you have trouble. Dan will show you what you are doing wrong, just like Sam Friedman showed me.

Let me know when you make the trek. I may want to tag along.

The Adler 204-374 is a fine machine, but is inflexible. Just changing the needle size often requires you to change a spacer in the shuttle. It is what it is and nothing more. The Union Lockstitch and Randall can become what you want them be be, as can the Juki 441 and its clones.

Randall and Union Lockstitch machines are basically one-man machines. They get to know you and you get to know them. You both reach an understanding with each other and outsiders cannot use them as well as the owner can. That is how God intended it to be.