Chinese-Built Shoe Patcher

[dikman]

Thanks Darren, I've seen your posts/photos on the Able 290 and wondered what you used. My winder has worked out pretty well and is mounted in the same position (the only practical place to put one). I turned down the bobbin winder shaft on the lathe and then found it only fitted one bobbin! Mine came with four bobbins, and they all had a different size centre hole, so I had to drill them out slightly!!

I've also made an adjustable guide to keep a consistent spacing if sewing along an edge.

I really need to experiment with making a decent presser foot next.

[Ole South]

What's the max stitch length on these Chinese patchers?

[Darren Brosowski]

It vary from machine to machine and can also depend on the direction you sew!!

Generally I quote 6mm (1/4")

What's the max stitch length on these Chinese patchers?

[IM7]

The hand-crank machine is gritty and mean and I'm in love!

I ordered mine from bantamsaddletack and it arrived quickly. I've been using it on full grain leather boots, jackets, gloves, and more. 

Taking hints from motorcycle maintenance, I wiped mine down with denatured alcohol, polished a few parts with Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish, and I'll be lubing the cams with a low viscosity, full synthetic oil (replacing the castor oil I have been using, whose smell I quite like).

How exactly does one change the stitch length on these machines? Ole South inquired about the max length; I am interested in a shorter stitch length. I reckon' it's a real simple turn of a screw, but I'm scratching my head at which one. Please enlighten me! 

[Darren Brosowski]

The screw is under the frame - below and to the left of the tension

 

[IM7]

Thank you for the quick reply!

[Darren Brosowski]

Lucky I was on at the right time!

[Ardie]

Hi,

I'm having tension issues....  Its a jumbled mess on the bottom.  How can I tackle this problem?

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, Ardie said:

Hi,

I'm having tension issues....  Its a jumbled mess on the bottom.  How can I tackle this problem?

It will help if you can post a photo of the machine and the thread mess.

Without seeing what's happening, or the machine it's happening on, all I can do is offer general solutions.

If the knots are on the bottom and causing the bottom thread to lay flat rather than being pulled up into the holes, either loosen the bobbin tension or increase the top tension.

If there is a whole pile of thread in and around the bobbin, first, hold back the starting threads for a few stitches. Next, make sure that the top thread is feeding inside the top tension disks and not lifting out of them. Third, make sure that the bobbin thread isn't jammed tight coming out of the bobbin case. Fourth, make sure the needle is the correct size and system for the machine and thread and that it is inserted in the correct orientation and all the way up inside its mounting bracket.

Make sure you've threaded the needle in the correct direction.

Finally, check the timing of the hook tip to the eye of the needle as it rises above bdc and forms a loop.

[stevemaynard]

I just bought one of these and have it sewing thin leather together and thin to thick leather (3.5mm , roughly 1/8") , but when I try to sew thick to thick leather the thread snaps or is sheared off.

I have tried using the waxed linen thread from a speedy stitcher as well as Getterman linen thread as well as varying the tension

I have a 100/16 needle on the machine.

I would prefer to use natural fibre thread if possible as I am wanting make stuff to sell to medieval re-enactors.

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.