Big Steve Report post Posted January 17, 2011 hiya guys, I have this Singer 29K60 machine for about 5 years i have never used it, as i hand stitch everything i make, but there is now a need to machine stitch as hand stitching is not possible due to the cos,t my question is will this machine stitch thin leather 3-4 oz any help most welcome. Regards, Steve. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra Steve Report post Posted January 17, 2011 hiya guys, I have this Singer 29K60 machine for about 5 years i have never used it, as i hand stitch everything i make, but there is now a need to machine stitch as hand stitching is not possible due to the cos,t my question is will this machine stitch thin leather 3-4 oz any help most welcome. Regards, Steve. Hi Steve, yes the Singer 29K60 will stitch thin or up to 12 Oz. leather as well. Make sure you use the right size needle and thread. For 3-4 Oz. leather, you should use a 69 thread top and bobbin, and a size 18 needle. Thanks, Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Steve Report post Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) Hi Steve, yes the Singer 29K60 will stitch thin or up to 12 Oz. leather as well. Make sure you use the right size needle and thread. For 3-4 Oz. leather, you should use a 69 thread top and bobbin, and a size 18 needle. Thanks, Steve Steve, many thanks for your help and for the fast reply. also is there a thread and needle size chart for differant leather thickness that i can download anywhere ? Regards, Steve. Edited January 18, 2011 by Big Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) Steve, many thanks for your help and for the fast reply. also is there a thread and needle size chart for differant leather thickness that i can download anywhere ? Regards, Steve. Steve; There are a few needle vs thread size charts, including one on the Singer website. But, there aren't charts for needle size vs leather thickness! I can provide you with some pointers to help you Grok the correct needle size for thick or thin leather. Thinner needles penetrate leather more easily than wider ones. Leather point (left-twist chisel; LL) needles go in easier than round point needles. Thick needles generate more heat from friction than thinner needles, as they penetrate dense leather. The thinner the thread on the top and bottom, the smaller the required needle. The thinner the needle, the more likely it is to be deflected by hard spots, or previously sewn thread in the leather. Here is a general chart of thread vs needle sizes, for sewing from garment to belt and bridle leather. Thread Size Needle sizes Temper of leather #69/T70 #14 (garments/chaps only), #16 (medium temper), or #18 (harder temper) #92/T90 #18, #19, #20 (ditto) #138/T135 #21 (soft), #22 (medium, typical), #23 (hard or thick) #207/T210 #23, or #24 (soft thread : hard thread) #277/T270 #25, or #26 (ditto) #346/T350 #26, or #27 (ditto) Where I give more than one needle size, it can pertain to the hardness of the thread, or the combined hardness of the leather being sewn. Most bonded nylon thread is stiffer than the same size in bonded polyester (outdoor marine thread). Linen or cotton thread is much softer than either. A stiffer thread will require a larder needle size than a more flexible thread of the same number size. Most modern needle only machines do not sew properly with waxed linen thread, but may be able to handle glace finish linen thread. This thread is available in 1 pound spools, in left (most machines), or right (shoe solers) twist, in 3, through 10 cord sizes. 3 cord is pretty close to #138 bonded nylon. 4 cord is close to #277 and 5 cord is like #346. All are soft and flexible and can use a smaller needle size that the equivalent nylon thread. This generates less friction and heat scarring. Generally speaking, use #69 thread on leather garments, or thin (6 - 8 oz) dress belts, or on shoes and boots. Use #138 on harder leather projects, of items of 1/4" to 5/16" thickness. Move up to #207 for 3/8" and #277 (or 4 cord linen) for 7/16" to 1/2". Above 1/2" I use #346 bonded nylon or polyester, or 5 or 6 glazed cord linen. FYI: #69 bonded nylon thread has a breaking point of 11 pounds. Each time you double the thread size, you double the breaking strength of the thread. If you make a holster for a competition shootist, or Police Officer, always use the heaviest thread your machine can handle. While #138 thread (22 pounds) may seem to be strong enough to keep a holster together, consider the forces applied to the sewn layers of leather as an officer fights for control of his gun while a felon is trying to yank it out in any direction that will give. That is why you almost always see either #277 or #346 bonded nylon, or 5 or 6 cord waxed linen thread on professionally built holsters. I hope this helps Edit: I forgot that you were asking for recommendations for a shoe patcher. Limit my answers to those for nylon thread in sizes 69, 92 and 138 only. Your machine can also sew with 3 cord linen thread. Limit needle size options to #22 or #23 maximum.As Cobra Steve mentioned, the thickness is limited by the lift of the foot and is slightly over 1/4". You might sew 5/16" if the mechanism is tight, but, the unassisted stitch length will be tiny (about 8 spi). You can help the machine feed longer stitches in thicker leather by pulling the leather behind the foot as it sews. Edited January 18, 2011 by Wizcrafts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Techsew Ron Report post Posted January 18, 2011 Steve, many thanks for your help and for the fast reply. also is there a thread and needle size chart for differant leather thickness that i can download anywhere ? Regards, Steve. here's a needle/thread size chart you can download and print: http://raphaelsewing.com/blogimg/techsew_ndl_thread_chart.pdf Ron Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Steve Report post Posted January 19, 2011 I would like to thank you all for your help,and experience, the world of the leatherworker is so much better off with this Forum, i thank you all Rgards, Steve.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
