Leather Lifts Up With Needle - Need Help - At Wits End!

[defenestrator]

Richard, My machine has a wax pot on top of the but I don't use that. I bought a small plastic box that has a magnate which sticks to your machine. The thread runs through two holes on ether side towards the top. It has a cotton pad that sets inside, which the thread runs on top over the pad which is saturated with silicon. However, I put the pad on the top of the thread which in my opinion causes more silicon to be on the thread which in turn lubricates the needle. I have noticed that my sewing holes have a small wet ring of silicon after sewing ( which goes away). Hope that helps Scott

[jimsaddler]

Hi all

This is a problem with the Leather not the Machine. Certain types of Leather are stuffed with a Resin that appears as a red/brown crust on the needle when sewing multiple weights of Veg Leather. The first time it happened to me I was sewing approx 5/8" in substance. Sewed about 6 inches and the Leather lifted with the Needle. Tried going one stitch at a time after I cleaned the Needle with Machine Oil. Seemed ok so started going again with the same results. Well it took me an hour and 3 Needles to sew 30 inches, all the time cursing the Scum on the Needle. Changed Leather type, no problems sewed like a dream. Even sewed 3/4" no problems. Went back to the original Leather in 2 weights. Same problem again. Checked with other Saddlers, yep same problem with that Leather. I don't use that Brand any more! Although I have advised others to use a Lubricant Pot with Silicone lubricant in it and a larger Needle size which helps. I finished the Hide by using Mox .8mm Waxed Poly Braid for top and .6mm on the Bobbin. This worked reasonably well but not perfect. My Machine is a Cowboy 441. So my easy answer was to Change Tanners, which actually saved me money as the better Hides were 15% cheaper.

I Hope this is of assistance. to you.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

Richard, My machine has a wax pot on top of the but I don't use that. I bought a small plastic box that has a magnate which sticks to your machine. The thread runs through two holes on ether side towards the top. It has a cotton pad that sets inside, which the thread runs on top over the pad which is saturated with silicon. However, I put the pad on the top of the thread which in my opinion causes more silicon to be on the thread which in turn lubricates the needle. I have noticed that my sewing holes have a small wet ring of silicon after sewing ( which goes away). Hope that helps Scott

Edited December 9, 2011 by jimsaddler

[RawhideLeather]

Well, I believe all my stitcher problems have been solved! I finally broke down and called Cobra Steve and after a very short explanation of my many problems he offered to go over my machine himself at no charge! Turns out he was making a trip through Phoenix the very next morning and I live about 180 miles north east of there so we met up in Phoenix and he took my stitcher back to Ca. with him. All it will cost me is return shipping! Unbelievable! Who else in this business would offer to do something like that? Especially for a machine that was not one of his? I've read many times and always maintained myself that Steve Tayrien was a great guy and this absolutely reinforces that impression. WOW!!!

I'll follow up and let you guys know how it stitches when I get it back but I'm sure since Steve is setting it up then it will be just dandy. Thanks again everyone for the help.

Richard

[Cobra Steve]

Well, I believe all my stitcher problems have been solved! I finally broke down and called Cobra Steve and after a very short explanation of my many problems he offered to go over my machine himself at no charge! Turns out he was making a trip through Phoenix the very next morning and I live about 180 miles north east of there so we met up in Phoenix and he took my stitcher back to Ca. with him. All it will cost me is return shipping! Unbelievable! Who else in this business would offer to do something like that? Especially for a machine that was not one of his? I've read many times and always maintained myself that Steve Tayrien was a great guy and this absolutely reinforces that impression. WOW!!!

I'll follow up and let you guys know how it stitches when I get it back but I'm sure since Steve is setting it up then it will be just dandy. Thanks again everyone for the help.

Richard

Awe shucks....it was nothin' Thanks, Richard!

Edited December 12, 2011 by Cobra Steve

[ramrod]

well, what was the problem??!!

[Boomer]

Old thread I know but I'm having the same problem. I think it's the leather. Some leathers are really "sticky" and others aren't. I think it's a quality issue to be honest.

[OLDNSLOW]

I have some of the same issues, it is interesting to find that so many different individuals will have the same or similar problem without a definite answer.  I think I have narrowed some of it down to old thread but not sure that is the sole issue.

[Northmount]

If the leather is lifting the presser foot up, the presser foot spring needs to be tightened down more to overcome the leather sticking to the needle.  Now if there is glue or something else causing the leather to stick to the needle, then of course you should go to the root cause and fix it.

But, if you are sewing heavy stiff leather, heavier and stiffer than what you usually use, you will have to increase the presser foot spring pressure.  Or get soft leather!

Tom

[Wizcrafts]

Threaded needles tend to stick in heavily glued or dense leather. If you have a lube pot on the machine, try adding liquid silicon lube to the top thread as you sew. It works wonders when sewing through leather tape or heavily glued leather. This silicon is sold by most industrial sewing machine dealers, like those who advertise with us.

O&S didn't say what machine he has. But, if titanium coated needles are available for it, they also work better in glued and taped layers.

[OLDNSLOW]

I am running a 441 clone with an oil pot and using silicone oil in the pot, yet the same type of issues still occur, and If my recollection serves me right I did a search for titanium needles sometime in the past when the same issue presented itself.  Wiz if you know of a dealer who has the needles in 25 for 277 thread please let us know so that they can be look at for price comparisons.  I have a recent post up that is asking the same type of question with a little different twist to it.  In fact one the most interesting things that I have happening is that when I am sewing 2 layers of 9 oz wicket and craig leather I will actually have some squeaking going on as the needle is going through the leather, this is after it has been glued together using Barges glue after it has dried for at least a day in warm to hot days or put on a forced air boot drier when the ambient temps are low.  It is the weirdest thing to hear and watch.  I have gone in and made sure that everything is clean, well oiled and running like it should be a far as I can tell.