Ferg Report post Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) I finally have some time to play with my sewing machine. Several questions: 1) Does everyone stitching with a machine groove the front side for the stitches? I tried with the groove and without. Like the stitch down level with the surface of the finish leather. 2) Any notes of importance on stitching around the shaped end of a belt? I find it difficult to keep the stitches consistent in length. Stitching manually but haven't determined how I should move the leather in reference to the needle. I assume the needle should be into the leather before you move it going around the end. 3) I had obtained a smooth needle plate before Christmas. The "dogs" won't adjust down far enough to keep from hitting the bottom of the plate without removing the entire mechanism and I am not going to do that. My Son-in-Law has a mill so he is going to machine the back of the plate for me so the dogs don't hit. 4) I have adjusted the pressure on the presser feet so they have just enough down pressure to keep the leather moving. Unfortunately they still make marks in the finish leather. I should add that my presser feet are smooth. When using a factory dyed leather the marks are very troublesome, the large modeling spoon will not remove the marks to my satisfaction. I will continue to work on that problem but I am certainly open for any and all suggestions. BTW: I am on a Consew 206RB5. Have spent some time seeing what parts do what. LOL ferg Edited January 17, 2011 by 50 years leather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) I had some of the same problems when I did my first few belts. Yes, . . . matter of fact, . . . I groove both sides. I do my edges first, sanding and edging them to an acceptable final finish. Sometimes I even go ahead and burnish them. This is the trick necessary to getting the backside stitches in the groove where they need to be. I learned to position the stitch groove in the window on my presser foot so I could dictate to the machine where the next stitch would land as I made the turn. I actually move the belt while the needle is all the way down, . . . pivoting on the needle itself. I also drastically removed pressure from my presser foot. My belts or holsters will feed, . . . but I have it so loose that it just barely feeds, . . . and I have practiced to the point that I almost force feed it into the machine. That did get rid of those nasty marks you were talking about. My machine is a Tippmann Boss. May God bless, Dwight PS: They beat the heck out of a sail needle and a palm, . . . those sewing machines !!! Edited January 17, 2011 by Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted January 17, 2011 I had some of the same problems when I did my first few belts. Yes, . . . matter of fact, . . . I groove both sides. I do my edges first, sanding and edging them to an acceptable final finish. Sometimes I even go ahead and burnish them. This is the trick necessary to getting the backside stitches in the groove where they need to be. I learned to position the stitch groove in the window on my presser foot so I could dictate to the machine where the next stitch would land as I made the turn. I actually move the belt while the needle is all the way down, . . . pivoting on the needle itself. I also drastically removed pressure from my presser foot. My belts or holsters will feed, . . . but I have it so loose that it just barely feeds, . . . and I have practiced to the point that I almost force feed it into the machine. That did get rid of those nasty marks you were talking about. My machine is a Tippmann Boss. May God bless, Dwight PS: They beat the heck out of a sail needle and a palm, . . . those sewing machines !!! Thanks Dwight. ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted February 13, 2011 Kinda funny, but true story. I went to a nearby industrial sewing machine retailer and asked him how I could eliminate the ugly marks on the back of my work...... "can you help me get rid of this?" He said "Sure I can" "oh yeah? how?? "buy that machine" as he points to a REAL stitching machine. Short story longer....he then explains to me why the machine I was trying to use was not the right kind of machine for the work I was trying to do on it......and showed me that the new machine he was pointing at is. While the machine I had was rated to sew through 1/2" of material, (it could sew through 1/2" of veg tan) it was really meant to sew thru material that does not mark....canvass, webbing, etc....... Live and learn....again......I hope to pick up that new machine this week:thumbsup: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted February 13, 2011 Kinda funny, but true story. I went to a nearby industrial sewing machine retailer and asked him how I could eliminate the ugly marks on the back of my work...... "can you help me get rid of this?" He said "Sure I can" "oh yeah? how?? "buy that machine" as he points to a REAL stitching machine. Short story longer....he then explains to me why the machine I was trying to use was not the right kind of machine for the work I was trying to do on it......and showed me that the new machine he was pointing at is. While the machine I had was rated to sew through 1/2" of material, (it could sew through 1/2" of veg tan) it was really meant to sew thru material that does not mark....canvass, webbing, etc....... Live and learn....again......I hope to pick up that new machine this week:thumbsup: Ray, I hope you enjoy your new machine. With unending help from Wiz and a lot of experimenting with foot pressure etc., I have very little problem with the marks on the leather I am sewing. Even with time spent, it was cheaper than a new machine that may do the same thing. just my .02 ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted February 13, 2011 Yepperz...Wiz had substantial input in my decision. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
