Members cgleathercraft Posted January 27, 2015 Members Report Posted January 27, 2015 I have the opportunity to purchase an American Straight Needle at what I believe to be an excellent price. I have not yet seen it other than in a picture (low quality cell phone picture). I plan to go look at it and potentially pick it up in the next month or so. The machine is not listed for sale but offered to me by a friend of my wife's family who is a saddle maker. This is his backup machine that he hasn't used in quite a while. I have been given the impression that the machine is in working order and know it will have the user/repair manuals coming with it. When I look at it I would like to be able to make an informed decision. What kind of wear should I look for? Including general wear and excessive wear and associated repair cost. Are there any ways to tell if the machine has been run hard or abused. (I expect it hasn't) Where would I locate the model and serial number? If I end up buying the machine where can I purchase parts/accessories/best thread(I've read to not use poly or nylon)? I understand it's and old machine and parts have limited availability. What would be the expected price if the machine is in immediate working order? Working order with a few simple repairs? Simple work required before working order is achieved? I wouldn't as so many questions but I don't want to be stuck with a massive cast iron lawn ornament if its not usable. Quote http://www.cgleathercraft.com Member of the Iron Brigade.
Members cgleathercraft Posted February 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted February 10, 2015 Anyone? Google can only get me so far! Quote http://www.cgleathercraft.com Member of the Iron Brigade.
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted February 10, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted February 10, 2015 That should help out a lot, but I can't make any suggestions about price. For general checking, look for significant wear on any metal to metal parts. Be sure that it turns freely - a little oil might be needed. I'm basing this on my attempts to restore a 1915-18 Champion - mine was completely dry, but a can of good quality oil (gun lube is what I had avail.) got it turning freely. Look inside ofthe machine to see if it has operating rods and if so, check the condition of the rubber bushings. If the machine was at all maintained, they should be fine. Mine sat in a barn for 40+ years unused, so the rubber was sorta dried out. A little oil on them revived them fairly quickly. As far as parts.....Pilgrim Sewing and Cambell-Randall are the only two places I know of - I'm SURE there are others, as the ASN is still used by shoe/boot repair shops. You might also check with cobbler's supply for the thread and thread lube. If it's a large part, you might have to talk to a local machinist and have a part made. The Champion has several cam wheels on the back of the machine that have roller bushings in them...I don't know if the ASN does or not, but if you need the little roller bushings that fit in the cam grooves, you can use drill bit stop collars. Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Members cgleathercraft Posted February 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted February 10, 2015 Watched that video about 5 times lol. I've found prices on a few websites though i'm not sure how accurate or up to date those are. Even so, I believe I'm getting a decent price. Gun oil, WD-40, PB Blaster, or about any other oil/solvent is in no short supply around my place. Even have food safe silicone spray tho I only use it on my meat grinder. As stated before this machine resides in a saddle shop as a backup machine so I believe it is in working condition. If not i'm sure its not far from it. I'll get a list of his suppliers for needles/thread/parts when I pick it up (early March). Found a couple sites listing different attachments for different applications. the most interesting was the corner stitch attachment. I'll definitely look into picking one up if possible. If anyone is interested when I get familiar with the machine I can make some videos and post them. Quote http://www.cgleathercraft.com Member of the Iron Brigade.
Members catskin Posted February 12, 2015 Members Report Posted February 12, 2015 I bought one this past summer It wasn't working but only took making one small part to get it going. where I bought it they knew NOTHING about and neither did I but I have sewn leather on other machines for 30 years. Since you are buying from someone who knows the machine you will be miles ahead of where I started. As for wear it has been said they NEVER wear out, mine shows on loose places anywhere. Mine was set up as most are as a sole stitcher but flat plates were available this one might have one on it. If not I made one for mine in about an hour. As for price they can be bought rebuilt from Landis in Montreal for $3500.00 they also stock some parts. Landis also buys these machines and ships them to Montreal to rebuild, so they must still be in demand. Lisa Sorel uses one as do most boot makers as I understand they are much sought after for side seaming boots. There is a vid of Lisa using hers if you google American straight needle. I will be very interested in fallowing your getting and using this machine if you do buy it. And any information you find about it that I missed. Quote
Members Big Sioux Saddlery Posted February 12, 2015 Members Report Posted February 12, 2015 I've seen many sell for about $35. They are basically worthless for any saddle or harness work, but I have one and am not looking for a home for it. There are just a very few odd jobs that I use it for and for what I could get out of it, it might as well sit there and work for me the 3 times a year I use it. It is actually a fun machine to run if it works. I had a lot of trouble with mine when I first got it. That was over 20 years ago. I knew absolutely nothing about stitchers and bought it from a less than honest horse trader type of guy. But I bought some new parts for it and it'll just hum along now. Best of luck to you. Quote
Members catskin Posted February 12, 2015 Members Report Posted February 12, 2015 (edited) They are limited to sewing no more then 4 inches from the edge but do well on straight lines such as traces. Or as I said before they seem to be in demand from boot makers . I am assuming that Big SS above does not have the flat or harness plate and harness feet for his that would explain why he feels it is so limited. I made both for mine and it makes them into a different machine. I used 3/16 by 8 inch plate to make the plate for mine all it takes is drilling 2 holes and making one 1/8 inch slot about 1 inch long. They are sure worth more then $35.00 because Landis international in Montreal pays a lot more then that and ships them in to restore and seem to barely keep up with the demand. So it comes down to what you need it to do, no machine does it all. Edit, The machine in the vid above HAS the flat plate I am talking about the ones set up for sole stitching have just a narrow piece instead. Edited February 12, 2015 by catskin Quote
Members Chayne Posted March 7, 2015 Members Report Posted March 7, 2015 Big Sioux Saddlery if you see one for sale at that price let me know...in fact any under 200. I'm needing parts for mine and saw someone speaking of finding a manual here for them but didn't specif. I've looked everywhere here I can think of and haven't found one yet. I called pilgram and they want 600 for 2 pedals and the stitch adjustment bar.....a little steep for me Quote
Members Big Sioux Saddlery Posted March 7, 2015 Members Report Posted March 7, 2015 Chayne, will do, but these are machines that have sold at auction sales. You have to be there when they're selling. Where are you located? I'm heading to a sale at the end of this month, and they do sometimes have one there. Quote
Members catskin Posted March 7, 2015 Members Report Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) Chayne, I have manuals for A.S.N. I have it saved on my computer, but not sure how to send it to you I could print off a copy and mail it to you. They are available from Landis International in Montreal, That's where mine came from. They have them both in print or to download for about $20.00. If you are interested in one from me send me a pm. Then I can explain why I need to do it by PM Landis also sells used parts not exactly cheap but it is likely worth a look at their web site or even email or phone call.. Edited March 7, 2015 by catskin Quote
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