PaulakaFrenchy Report post Posted November 23, 2013 After having read a few interesting topics that lead to my buying a Singer 45K58, I now decided to join as I've got lots to learn still and I know no better and friendlier place to get involved best I can. I make Custom knives and Sheaths (www.customknivesandsticks.co.uk), not for a living, but as a hobby first and foremost. I normally stitch all leather work by hand, but having injured my right arm and shoulder I find the hand stitching a very painful experience, hence buying the Singer 45K58. I've been practising with it using different thread combinations on various types of leather it stitches fine. The concern I have is that the machine doesn't run smooth all the time. Every now and then it clangs for a while as if something is hitting something else and I obviously worry that I'm doing damage to it. Maybe the timing is off or whatever; I hope to find out though as I need it to work properly. Anyway, I look forward to getting to know some folk on here and will be most grateful for the experience and wisdom of many... Paul (aka Frenchy) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverback Report post Posted November 23, 2013 Hi Paul,welcome from Australia, your up early. I have a 45k25 and I too sometimes get the thumps.I usually check my needles first to see they are straight and sharp. another thing is to check the thread hasn't jumped out of the discs or has looped around something and is dragging.Also old dry leather makes them work hard too. Im sure some o the more knowlegible people will chime in with some more ideas for you.Good luck. Peter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toolerlass Report post Posted November 24, 2013 Hi Paul, I've just joined too and live on your doorstep! Okay not literally that would just be creepy :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulakaFrenchy Report post Posted November 24, 2013 Hi Silverback, As the machine is stitching nicely with 24 needles and 12S waxed thread I've ruled out the shuttle area and needle hitting something. I had a look underneath and nothing seems amiss. The problem is that I know how smooth and quiet it can go, so when it starts clanging I start assuming something is going to give! I sew veg tan leather (slowly), from 3 to 4 layers of 3mm to 4mm thickness, so as you say, that could be the problem. Someone told me to use silicone spray from the needle backwards, which I tried; but must say I find this odd. I got the machine as being fully serviced and saw the man stitch all my samples well enough. I did find a sewing machine about an hour's drive from me, but when he said he only needs the head I lost confidence in him. If I had to pay a mechanic to service my machine, I'd want to see it going properly sewing samples of the leather I work with. I love tinkering though and I'd rather have a go myself if I can and learn by my own trial and error - as I did with knife making - or from the experience of others who are generous in thought and deed and care enough to give a helping hand. I'll help anybody with knife making as that's part and parcel of my ethos; from which I derive pleasure... Toolerlass, yes it would be creepy if you lived next door, but I know my neigbours and I don't think any of them are into leatherwork! Lovely of you to say Hi, you're more than welcome to get in touch direct through my website and if you need any help with anything please don't hesitate to let me know. Take care... www.customknivesandsticks.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigfoot Report post Posted November 25, 2013 Hi Paul, Welcome to the site. I took a peek at your knives and they look bootifull to me..but I like knives too....your sheaths like nice also. I hope you're feeling better soon and can carry creating your practical artwork. Please let me know if you do start making knives again as I'd like to chat about some ideas. All the best Bigfoot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulakaFrenchy Report post Posted November 25, 2013 Hi Bigfoot, Things have got on top of me lately and having injured my stitching arm I had no choice but to get on with my present commitments as best I can and the start afresh in the new year. After all, it's supposed to be a hobby and thus wholly enjoyable and not a chore to endure! I'm hoping that with getting the Singer 45K58 machine will help me to keep going even though I know that nothing beats hand stitching. I'll soon know how well I get on with it as I've got a dozen Sheaths to make up once I've finished the knives by the end of the week. You're welcome to get in touch in the new and we'll see what we can do together... Cheers for now - Paul Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ski Report post Posted November 30, 2013 Hi Paul, Just wanted to stop by and say your knife work is fantastic. When my firesteel runs low I'll be sure to come to you, or if my F1 needs restoring. Always wanted to try making my own knife, bought a few old files, but as most hobbies it got put on a back burner as I lack a decent grinder. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you get back to what you love doing by January. Until you recover, or sort out your machine, I would be glad to (hand) stitch the occasional sheath for you free of charge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulakaFrenchy Report post Posted December 1, 2013 Hi Paul, Just wanted to stop by and say your knife work is fantastic. When my firesteel runs low I'll be sure to come to you, or if my F1 needs restoring. Always wanted to try making my own knife, bought a few old files, but as most hobbies it got put on a back burner as I lack a decent grinder. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you get back to what you love doing by January. Until you recover, or sort out your machine, I would be glad to (hand) stitch the occasional sheath for you free of charge. Hi Ski, Thanks for your kind words, they're appreciated. Anything you want that I can help with, just let me know. The machine I got (Singer 45K58) was from Salford. It is indeed a solid machine and can sew four layers of veg tan well enough. However, after much practice on odd pieces of leather combinations I had, I eventually had a go at trying to stitch a proper Sheath. It was a total disaster and made me feel really down as I was pinning my hopes on the machine doing the business. Basically I wrongly assumed that because it can go through layers of veg tan leather, stitching my three/four layer sheaths would be a doddle. Well, what I failed to take into consideration was that once the belt loop and/or a Firesteel loop were attached, which they always are prior to folding the body over and gluing the the edges, the Sheath doesn't sit flat for it to allow me to run the two lines of stitches as is my normal way when hand stitching. I suppose being a flat bed doesn't help and now that I am a bit wiser, maybe I should have opted for a cylinder arm machine instead. As a last resort I wet one of the Sheaths so it became more plyable, but that didn't work either as the tracking went of all too easily at various points along the seams and I ended up with such a horrible mess. I must say that it's not the machine's fault, but rather the way I make my Sheaths up with 3 to 4mm thick veg tan. At the moment I've got £700 quid of machine that is no use to me. The specialist at the hospital gave me an injection of Hydrocortisone in my shoulder and I'm not in so much pain now, so I'll get on and hand stitch the dozen Sheaths I've got outstanding and see what I can find out about a cylinder arm machine and go from there. Thank you very much indeed for offering to help me out with the hand stitching, but I'll try and manage for now as I've got a bit of time in hand to sort myself out. If you happen to know someone with a cylinder arm machine who can tell me if I would be able to fare better with one, do please let me know. At the moment I'm in touch with Techsew to see whether it would be worth my while buying one of his cylinder arm machines. Anyway, you take care... Cheers - Paul Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted December 1, 2013 Hello Frenchy and welcome to the forum! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jockey Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Hei Paul I live I. Ormskirk west Lancashire and I have a cylinder arm machine that I'm not using it's a singer too so you shouldn't lack for spare parts I find the machine too big for the work that I do send me a message if you interested and I'll send you some pictures Cheers Tony Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OdinUK Report post Posted January 26, 2014 Welcome from Herefordshire! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ENC Report post Posted January 26, 2014 (edited) Hi Paul, I just ran across this a few days ago. I had never heard of a stirrup plate before. It looks like it gives you a little lift, 4-5 mm, up off the plate. http://leatherworker...showtopic=51037 I think the noise may be the hook hitting the needle. If the rolled edge of the sheath is dragging on the bed some distance from the needle it has torque/leverage and could be deflecting the needle. Try this... make a stack of leather like the sheath but without the fold so it is flat. Run it through, if it doesn't make the noise, dummy up a sheath with the fold and put something slick between the bed and the fold to reduce the friction. I'm thinking a piece of zip lock bag, slick magazine cover, Mylar, or even satin ribbon like you would use to wrap a gift. It may not eliminate the noise but, if it reduces it you will know what the problem is and then the stirrup plate could be the answer. Best of luck, Ray Edited January 26, 2014 by ENC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
