UKRay Report post Posted July 6, 2008 Just wanted to thank everyone for the help you all gave me in choosing a sewing machine. You were most kind to give so freely of your time. I took it all on board and distilled the following: Whatever machine you buy somebody else won't like it... Whatever machine you buy somebody will have used something better... Whatever machine you buy, only you need get on well with it... Whatever you pay for a machine is entirely down to your budget... Given those points, I checked my wallet, rapidly decided against importing a Tippmann Boss or an Artisan machine from the US and went looking closer to home. Twenty miles down the road I found a monster. The biggest ugliest sewing machine I have ever seen and it weighs more than a small car (okay, that was a slight exageration - but only slight). It was made a very long time ago by the British United Shoe Machinery Company and is still in great working order - although, like me, it is now showing a few signs of age. I can't help it but I felt an affinity with the thing and when I tried it and it worked perfectly and did exactly what I wanted for a fraction of the cost of a new machine my decision was made for me. It has just been delivered and I thought I would share this momentus moment with you all - plus a few pics of my new leather workroom that is slowly coming together. It is worth noting that the floorboards you can see were cut and laid in the early 15th century. The weird looking seating is my collection of Singer sewing machinists stools and chairs from the 1950s - they are getting pretty rare now but you can still find the odd one here and there. My leatherwork machines date from around 1890 and include a rotary hole punch, creasing machine and a strap cutter which all ought to be in a museum! My wife says I ought to be in one too... that or an asylum! Thanks again guys. Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted July 6, 2008 Hey Ray that is a great looking shop you have there, so you got a sewing machine. I have a few projects that i need to have some sewing did to them , i'll be right over. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted July 6, 2008 UK Ray, you did good. Finding something you can work with and LOCAL too. No sense spending a bundle to import something across the big pond, that costs alot just for shipping. Cheers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted July 6, 2008 You wanted one of THOSE? Why didn't you mention that you were interested in relics from the late paleolithic era? I've got a few spare ones laying around here .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted July 6, 2008 (edited) You wanted one of THOSE? Why didn't you mention that you were interested in relics from the late paleolithic era? I've got a few spare ones laying around here .... That's no way to talk about 'cousin' Luke, Mike. (only kidding Luke - honest!). I can't help it if I see beauty in things others just pass by... Anyway, as I said, it fits all my criteria. Better still it was VERY cheap and I just love it! Thanks for the kind words Bob - unlike some people I could name... I have posted a sample of the stitching below - just my first effort but it looks fine and doesn't damage the leather in any way. Edited July 6, 2008 by UKRay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanCantwell Report post Posted July 7, 2008 Great find Ray, I've been doing some research on the history of the United Shoe Machine company in the USA and later the BUSM in the UK. It was a British United on which I sewed my first saddle skirt in Canada, don't know how that machine got to be back there but BUSM had an agent called John O'Flaherty Co in Montreal. If you check out 'derelict places' web site you'll see photos of the old abandoned factory in Leicester. You're real lucky finding that relic, I found it to be a great machine, you'll probably want to build a flat bed for it (piece of thick ply) if you are going to do any large projects like skirts. When you get fed up with it I'm sure I can find it a home!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanCantwell Report post Posted July 7, 2008 Forgot to add. I found this a great machine to punch stitching holes which is what I did with the aforementioned saddle skirts. Punched the holes then stitched by hand with the 2 needle method. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Report post Posted July 7, 2008 That is beautiful. I especially like the stripper on a "dish" that spills the wax back into the pot. I also dig your digs. As I write this from my bedroom, I am surrounded by, small bass amp at my side, closet full of cheap guitars, three drawer chestfilled with leather books,3 sewing machine heads, a home sewing machine in a cabinet, and a post machine on a treadle stand from a home sewing machine. Oh, 3 of those longplastic things fullof leather mags under the bed. Sometimes I feel like one of the Norwegian bachelor farmers from Prairie Home Companion. I can't even spell anymore. Kevin Ray Caporaletti Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tat2 Report post Posted April 17, 2011 Ray the stitch look simply amazing. Almost likt a slight ornate twist to it! You should take images of the true antique leather machinery. Your finds are quite amazing. TIme to make a trip out and go hunting with you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted April 18, 2011 Nice machines you have there.That one look similar to this Singer 98-2 I have,which was made for rebooting car tires (back in 1915) I think it would sew leather easily to 1/2" Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted April 18, 2011 Tat2 and Bob; Do you guys realize you were replying to a topic that is almost three years old now and hasn't been updated since the summer of 2008? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatheroo Report post Posted April 18, 2011 Jealous!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simran Report post Posted April 19, 2011 (edited) That's why I love this thread so much. You just never know what's gonna turn up here. Glad someone fished this thread out of the dust. Awesome!! Thanks for sharing. Edited April 19, 2011 by simran Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tat2 Report post Posted April 28, 2011 Wizcrafts nothing wrong with replying to old threads you see its how infomation gets stored on this forum so others who are reading obtain all the info they require regardless of old or new threads! NOW WHO IS THE TROLL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
