Members wyomingcowboy Posted May 14, 2013 Members Report Posted May 14, 2013 A friend I have is selling his Ferdco 6/6 for $1k. He replaced it with a Cobra and is quite impressed with it! I would like a cobra myself but can't afford it. I have seen the Ferdco run and it seems to be good but I really have no idea on machines and whether it is worth $1k. What do you think? Quote
Members wyomingcowboy Posted July 13, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 13, 2013 Well I bought the 6/6 for $700 and got it moved in. (The thing has to weigh 400 pounds....no exxageration) Anyway, the manual I have is not real great as it is mostly parts and there is NO troubleshooting and actually very few part names. The pictures are all photocopies of photocopies. I am having trouble with the stitch spacing. I know how to adjust the spacing adjustment but there are no little teeth or anything to grap and pull the leather so the spacing gets off. I found out today after trying to call Ferdco with questions that they have sold out to another comopany that does not have any customer service set up. Does anyone have any idea if I can get a different foot or something that will grap and pull the leather better? I know I don't want tooth marks on the leather but the uneven spacing looks just as bad. Also, what type (material) of thread is best for chaps? I looked at some online and don't know the difference between polester, nylon, etc. Thanks, Nate Quote
Members Les No6 Posted July 13, 2013 Members Report Posted July 13, 2013 I'm not that familiar with the Ferdco 6/6 but I am with the Pearson No6 the feed problem you are experiencing I suspect is due to the bottom needle guide not being adjusted correctly I've included pictures of the component on the Pearson it's located just under the the slot plate as yours will be I don't know where the adjustment is on your machine so you'll have to locate it. Best remove the slot plate to give you a better idea of what's going on turn the machine until the needle is fully down and adjust the neadle guide until it's in just contact with the front of the neadle as the machine is feeding back not too much so it deflects the needle, the needle is now fixed top and bottom in the direction of feed, guide needs readjusting when changing needle size. Also check that the needle is coming fully forward for each stitch you can see at the back of the stitch length adjustment third pic on the Pearson these should be in full contact when the needle is fully forward if not the problem will be a weak return spring or incorrect tension. Your machine has the correct feed mechanism for leather unlike the 441s unison feed intended for webbing and such they just grind the teeth off the feed mechanism and pass it off as a leather machine. Quote
Members wyomingcowboy Posted July 15, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 15, 2013 Thanks. I'll try to tinker with it a little when I get my new thread. I am a little afraid of messing it up too much as it appears that no one will be able to fully fix anything I mess up. The guy I bought the machine from had issues with most of his stitching, too. He bought the machine new in 2001. Funny how a major manufacturer can make and sell a machine like this, include a very crappy "user manual". I ran across a machine dealer at the Sheridan show in may of this year with several Ferdcos and I didn't even think to get a card. I talked to the guy's wife and she said he knew all about Ferdcos and could help me out. Does anyone know who I may be talking about? I think they were from Idaho. Quote
Trox Posted July 20, 2013 Report Posted July 20, 2013 Those machine where about 6 K new and Ferdco made very good machine; 700$ must be a bargain. On ferdco`s website they wrote that the Hoffman brothers have bought up the rest of their company http://www.hoffmanbrothers.com/ You might give it a try if you have not done so yet. Is it a needle feed jump foot machine?, they look great. What about a picture. Thanks Tor Quote Tor Workshop machines: TSC 441 clone/Efka DC1550, Dürkopp-Adler 267-373/Efka DC1600, Pfaff 345-H3/Cobra 600W, Singer 29K-72, Sandt 8 Ton clicking machine, Alpha SM skiving unit, Fortuna 620 band knife splitting machine. Old Irons: Adler 5-27, Adler 30-15, Singer 236W-100
Members wyomingcowboy Posted July 21, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 21, 2013 I have tried Hoffman Brothers and I get the run-around on their automated system. Maybe things will get better with them as the summer ends. I'm not sure what a needle foot jump machine is for sure.....but it is the needle that pulls the leather forward and the foot just applies down pressure. I'll try to add some pics when I figure out how. The only camera I have is my phone and the file size is too big. Quote
Members wyomingcowboy Posted July 21, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 21, 2013 I'm not finding the link to upload my pictures....... a little help please! Quote
Trox Posted July 21, 2013 Report Posted July 21, 2013 I'm not finding the link to upload my pictures....... a little help please! Use button for more reply option and the full editor pops up Quote Tor Workshop machines: TSC 441 clone/Efka DC1550, Dürkopp-Adler 267-373/Efka DC1600, Pfaff 345-H3/Cobra 600W, Singer 29K-72, Sandt 8 Ton clicking machine, Alpha SM skiving unit, Fortuna 620 band knife splitting machine. Old Irons: Adler 5-27, Adler 30-15, Singer 236W-100
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