Old leatherworking machines - Show and tell

[MikeCahill]

As an old leatherwork machinery enthusiast, I would be very keen to see machines other people use. Living and working in the UK means I rarely get to see any of the amazing machines made in the US, South Africa or Australia/NZ - and I certainly haven't seen all the machines that have been made in the UK; even if a good few are to be found in my workroom!

If you have an old machine (or two) perhaps you could post a new topic in this section that includes a description of how (and how well) it works plus a few pictures so we can all share in the experience. This might then help to show newcomers what machinery may be available to them.

Remembering that many of the smaller leatherwork machines can be picked up at junk stores or on ebay for very little money it would also be useful to get some idea of each machine's current value as a sort of buyer's guide.

To save duplication of very popular machines, It might be best if we don't post if somebody else has got there first - unless we have something different to 'show and tell'.

How does the forum feel about this idea? Anyone want to start the ball rolling?

need a bit of guidance on postin pictures, but here is an outsole stitcher, as a bit of a machine freek I've got lots of old machines, I'll post them a bit at a time

cheers

mike

[MikeCahill]

need a bit of guidance on postin pictures, but here is an outsole stitcher, as a bit of a machine freek I've got lots of old machines, I'll post them a bit at a time

cheers

mike

this is a blakes? stitcher, a tredle single thread machine that creates a loop stitch, just like the machines that they sew potato sacks up with, and you pull one end and it all unravels (if you don't know what I'm talking about you haven't lived) it was seized solid, and the tredle casting was broken, but it works now (not sure what I'm going to do with it!) but a great piece of engineering

[MikeCahill]

this is a blakes? stitcher, a tredle single thread machine that creates a loop stitch, just like the machines that they sew potato sacks up with, and you pull one end and it all unravels (if you don't know what I'm talking about you haven't lived) it was seized solid, and the tredle casting was broken, but it works now (not sure what I'm going to do with it!) but a great piece of engineering

A few months ago I bought a Merkle skiver, almost identical to a fortuna, it was a bit bent and bashed up, with bits missing, It is now running again, but I'm having problems setting it up, can't seem to get a consistant cut, what power motor should it have? the current one seems under powered, any suggestions greatfully received, I'll post a couple of photos tomorrow,

[UKRay]

A few months ago I bought a Merkle skiver, almost identical to a fortuna, it was a bit bent and bashed up, with bits missing, It is now running again, but I'm having problems setting it up, can't seem to get a consistant cut, what power motor should it have? the current one seems under powered, any suggestions greatfully received, I'll post a couple of photos tomorrow,

Hi Mike,

I also have a Merkle bell knife skiver. I found a guy in Birmingham who really seems to know what he is doing with skiving machines and he is currently overhauling mine. He gets some great sewing machines too but you have to go in there to see what he's got as his website isn't as exciting as it might be... but don't tell him I said so - here are his contact details:

Hartley Sewing

29 Butts Road

Walsall

West Midlands

WS4 2AR

01922 721136

www.hartleysewingmachines.co.uk

If you get Merkle spares problems you might try phoning John at Merkle in South London. He is extremely helpful, but expect to pay an arm and a leg for genuine spares.

P.W. Merkle Ltd.,

Unit 14, Eagle Trading Estate,

29 Willow Lane,

Mitcham,

Surrey, UK,

CR4 4UY

020 8640 8631

www.pw-merkle.co.uk

I also have a lovely old Merkle strap cutter that is invaluable. Merkle make great equipment though, IMHO, it is worth getting the older models - they seem to be built better somehow.

Hope this helps,

Ray

[SteveBrambley]

Hi Mike,

I also have a Merkle bell knife skiver. I found a guy in Birmingham who really seems to know what he is doing with skiving machines and he is currently overhauling mine. He gets some great sewing machines too but you have to go in there to see what he's got as his website isn't as exciting as it might be... but don't tell him I said so - here are his contact details:

Hartley Sewing

29 Butts Road

Walsall

West Midlands

WS4 2AR

01922 721136

www.hartleysewingmachines.co.uk

If you get Merkle spares problems you might try phoning John at Merkle in South London. He is extremely helpful, but expect to pay an arm and a leg for genuine spares.

P.W. Merkle Ltd.,

Unit 14, Eagle Trading Estate,

29 Willow Lane,

Mitcham,

Surrey, UK,

CR4 4UY

020 8640 8631

www.pw-merkle.co.uk

I also have a lovely old Merkle strap cutter that is invaluable. Merkle make great equipment though, IMHO, it is worth getting the older models - they seem to be built better somehow.

Hope this helps,

Ray

Hi Ray,

So you know Hartley, quite a character huh? A really nice guy. We bought our first Singer corner stitcher from him some years back, I travelled up to Walsall to collect it.

His shop's quite unbelievable, an absolute Aladdins Cave!

Steve

[oldtimer]

Hello.

Got this pic on the mail today, along with pics of a whole bunch of old Singer and Adler cylinder - flatbed- and post machines from a shoe factory that closed about 30 years ago. (Also an offer to buy the lot) Unfortunately there are no tables and motors left for the machines. I must make a trip one of these days to have a look, and maybe do some business??

Has anybody an idea of what this could be ?? A splitter ??

/ Knut

Edited December 8, 2009 by oldtimer

[oldtimer]

This is also an unknown piece of iron ??

Any suggestions ??

/ Knut

[MikeCahill]

This is also an unknown piece of iron ??

Any suggestions ??

/ Knut

looks like a hand skiver to me with the cutter mounting missing (should be behind the feed wheel on the left of the picture, and hand crank wheel on the right hand end)

cheers

mike

[oldtimer]

looks like a hand skiver to me with the cutter mounting missing (should be behind the feed wheel on the left of the picture, and hand crank wheel on the right hand end)

cheers

mike

If many parts are missing I could use it as a door stop, huh?

/ Knut

[jimsaddler]

Hello.

Got this pic on the mail today, along with pics of a whole bunch of old Singer and Adler cylinder - flatbed- and post machines from a shoe factory that closed about 30 years ago. (Also an offer to buy the lot) Unfortunately there are no tables and motors left for the machines. I must make a trip one of these days to have a look, and maybe do some business??

Has anybody an idea of what this could be ?? A splitter ??

/ Knut

Hi Oldtimer

this is a Cementing Machine. Primarily for putting contact adhesive on Soles to be bonded to the Uppers. The Tank on rt holds the Glue and it is fed evenly to the Rollers on the left which then spread it evenly on the Sole as it is fed through.

The other Machine is a Sole Skiver less the Blade.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.