Andrew Chee Report post Posted August 2, 2014 Hello all, I've been interested in getting a needle and awl machine for a while. I don't do heavy leather like saddles and harnesses. I mainly want one for doing my straps, belts, and wallets. I mostly work with veg tan leather but the thicknesses only go up it maybe 6-8oz total. I mostly use a 138-207 size thread. I want a needle and awl machine primarily for a better looking bottom side stitch. Is there a machine out there that's good for this lighter work? You always hear about these machines for heavier applications. But is there one good for lighter ones? Thanks, Andrew Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pcox Report post Posted August 2, 2014 I have 3 awl and needle machines. A landis 12 sole stitcher, a Puritan chain stitcher, and a Randall. the Randall can be set up to sew thin leather and makes a stitch 2nd to none. the problem you will have is concealing the knot from that size thread in that thickness of leather. It can be done but It takes some fine tuning. The Puritan will also sew thin but most people don't like the chain stitch on the back side. I personally kind of like the way it looks on some items, it is a very consistent tight stitch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted August 2, 2014 I was able to sew fairly thin leather on my Union Lockstitch machines. What I did was to use a #1 needle, #1.5 or #2 awl and #138 bonded thread. It was easy to bury the knots in 7 - 8 ounces of leather. Wilson sews footballs with a Union Lockstitch machine, specifically setup for that thickness and thread. Tiny needles and awls are very hard to find now and expensive if you find them. I managed to acquire some while I owned two ULS machines, but they are long gone. If the bottom appearance is that important, you should probably just hand sew the work. It's cheaper than buying and learning to use and customize a needle and awl machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pcox Report post Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) 2 layers of 3/4 oz. the white row is the Randall. I did the black with the Puritan just for kicks. The green or top row is with the 153k102 singer needle feed. all with 138 thread. could fine tune the Randall and singer for a little better look as I changed the Randall from 207 and the singer from 92 but didn't mess with the settings. Edited August 2, 2014 by pcox Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
