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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Members
Posted (edited)

Update:

J Hayes, which store did you find an 1 3/4" pulley? We have Ace Hardware here locally...

The 2 1/8th arrived, and I will put it on today and try get a belt measurement to go searching.

IMG_20131204_104454_449_zpsdde6fa79.jpg

Back to our test project, parking brake gaiter..

This is how the first one looked when we fitted it...

Too tight.

photobucket-6611-1385136722132_zps0ac07128.jpg

We made a second one, with more crown and more generous dimensions.

It was better, with more consistent stitching, I still have some mods I will do before I do the final one in leather.

IMG_20131204_104651_887_zps736205a2.jpg

Fitting.

IMG_20131204_105019_020_zpsccdb93c5.jpg

I think I want some heavier thread, the Cardinal Red v92 Sunguard matches the seating but I have ordered some heavier #138 Cardinal thread, so it will stand out more!

Edited by Keyair
  • 2 weeks later...
  • Members
Posted

Oh my...

So we got the V138 thread and tried to get the next stage done and are lost...

Missed stiches, birdsnests, stitch length varies, and needle thread fraying.

We researched and tried swapping back to V69 for the bobbin, with little success.

Tried going up to a #22 needle, with no joy.

We went thru the machine, and checked the settings as best we could...

I have some questions...

1/ The first tensioner disc assembly, the first one after the 3 holes looked like it was assembled wrong...

The are 2 concave identical chromed washers with a location slot, and one black smaller concave washer that has a location slot, and a tab in its central hole. On top of that there is the beehive spring and knurled nut.

Mine was setup with this black washer at the back closest to the machine body. The assemble manual shows it different, with the 2 identical washers face to face and the black washer on top of them, against the spring and nut. This makes sense.

Is that correct?

2/ Found that the needle height was wrong... the manual states that table to needle hole height should be about 22.3mm... mine was over 25, so I adjusted it back to the stated height. Seems to have made it worse!

3/ Stitch length variance. With the stitch length set to maximum, it sews ok on thin material sometimes, but if we try to sew thicker leather, the stitch length gets smaller and smaller... its even worse if we put the smooth bottomed pressor foot on...

Why is that?

Any thoughts or advice would be welcome!

Will go and sew some test pieces and take some photos...

  • Moderator
Posted

Keyair;

It may be time to take or ship the head to a qualified industrial sewing machine shop. Have them correct the tensioner disks and plates, time the feed dog and needle to the hook - at all stitch lengths, tighten loose screws and adjust the walking feet for equal lift, then oil and lube it as needed. Ask them to set it up so that the machine can sew with any thread from #69 through #138, on top and bottom, or explain why it can't handle #138 thread.

BTW: I recommend using a #23 needle with #138 thread, top and bottom.

A good mechanic will be able to do all that in an hour or two. It will be money well spent.

Posted IMHO, by Wiz

My current crop of sewing machines:

Cowboy CB4500, Singer 107w3, Singer 139w109, Singer 168G101, Singer 29k71, Singer 31-15, Singer 111w103, Singer 211G156, Adler 30-7 on power stand, Techsew 2700, Fortuna power skiver and a Pfaff 4 thread 2 needle serger.

  • Members
Posted (edited)

Thanks,

I just don't have the funds for it right now, so I will have to keep working at it.

My eyesight is poor at the moment due to an health issue, so I have to use a magnifying glass and its a struggle.

I sometimes forget to get the tails of the threads where they should be...

What is odd, it today, using #69 top and bottom, it did a great job on some test pieces.... So maybe its me!

I will upload some pics in a bit.

What adjustments should be made to tension to go from the #69 to #138 thread?

Edited by Keyair
  • Moderator
Posted

To change to #138 thread, change to a #23 needle, increase the top thread tension a turn or two and crank down the presser foot pressure adjuster.

Also, make sure that both feet go all the way down, alternately.

Posted IMHO, by Wiz

My current crop of sewing machines:

Cowboy CB4500, Singer 107w3, Singer 139w109, Singer 168G101, Singer 29k71, Singer 31-15, Singer 111w103, Singer 211G156, Adler 30-7 on power stand, Techsew 2700, Fortuna power skiver and a Pfaff 4 thread 2 needle serger.

  • Members
Posted

I decided to reset my head and lay down some stitches for reference...

#69 thread in upper and bobbin, #22 needle, on a piece medium thickness suede..

Top...

006_zps4bec1725.jpg

Underside...

007_zpse2746503.jpg

Double thickness..

Top...

008_zps9c715e0b.jpg

Underside...

009_zpsda88f63e.jpg

Then I went up to some thick stuff...

Top...

012_zps8afe3f07.jpg

Underside..

013_zps4ad20f0b.jpg

Feeling better I went into a thinner piece of upholstery leather, with first a line of #69... then I swapped the #138 thread in on the top...

Wow...

020_zpse5b5df9c.jpg

Underside..

021_zps0c1f477d.jpg

  • Members
Posted (edited)

I think most of it is my fault...

Flushed with success, I went on to take a shot at the parking brake gaiter I was hoping to finish... this is now leather.

I seamed the two pieces together with black #69 thread, and it was perfect...

035_zps2a2fd576.jpg

The French seam was completed with #69 in the bobbin and #138 in the upper.

My seam was a little wider than ideal, but we the stitch was good!

036_zps8ca86324.jpg

Practice, practice!

Edited by Keyair

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