Durkop Treadle Machine

[stickandtin]

Came across a durkop treadle operated leather machine. At least the woman selling it says it is used to sew leather. She has no idea how old it is or what model it is. Sent me some pics. It has what looks like a cylinder arm sticking out about a foot and a half. I've seen similar looking machines on this forum referred to as shoe patchers. The drive belt is missing, doesn't appear to have a needle. Is this thing worth looking at for $250? Are parts available? Can these machines be converted to run on electric?

[Constabulary]

I have a Mazda car - are parts available?

How can we know without knowing what kind of Dürkopp machine you are talking about - at least one good picture would help (maybe). The ability to sew leather means nothing - all sewing machines can sew leather.

Without any further information no one can help you.

Edited October 5, 2015 by Constabulary

[shoepatcher]

Send us pics of the machine so we can what it is. Pics tell a lot on a sewing machine.

glenn

[Wizcrafts]

Came across a durkop treadle operated leather machine. At least the woman selling it says it is used to sew leather. She has no idea how old it is or what model it is. Sent me some pics. It has what looks like a cylinder arm sticking out about a foot and a half. I've seen similar looking machines on this forum referred to as shoe patchers. The drive belt is missing, doesn't appear to have a needle. Is this thing worth looking at for $250? Are parts available? Can these machines be converted to run on electric?

If the machine is a shoe patcher, it may be one of several types built by Adler. Some can only sew 1/4 inch, others can exceed 5/16. Some are tight and give longer stitches than worn out machines. Then, there are tiny bobbin versions and bigger than tiny bobbin versions. The arm may be 12 or 18 inches long.

All of the patchers are top feed only, using claw like teeth on the foot to move the leather in any direction.

Motorizing a treadle base will require adding a platform to hold the motor. Or, you can just buy a pedestal base already equipped with a servo motor and speed reducer. Still others drill into the back and mount a small domestic 1.5 amp sewing machine motor on the machine. It probably won't have enough torque to start the machine on its own, but will keep the stitching going after you hand wheel start it. Both of my patchers have that setup.

Yes, it is probably worth $250. As for parts, probably, depending on the age, model number. and where it was built (pre-WW2, or post WW2 factories). The price of the parts may come as a shock though.

Edited October 5, 2015 by Wizcrafts

[Constabulary]

Dürkopp made their own patcher like the Class 17 + Class 18. They are totally different compared with the Adler 30.

Pictures would help to ID your machine

[stickandtin]

Sorry about no pics. I'm generally on the internet on my iphone in a poor service area. Let me try to post photos. Thanks

[stickandtin]

One more

[Wizcrafts]

That patcher machine is an extremely old design; probably from the early 1900s. Parts may be non-existent.

But, if all it needs is a needle and it has at least one good bobbin and bobbin case, it may sew.

Edited October 5, 2015 by Wizcrafts

[Kohlrausch]

Sorry about no pics. I'm generally on the internet on my iphone in a poor service area. Let me try to post photos. Thanks

Hi,

I wouldn't buy it. While I do understand the wish for a patcher I would go with the ubiqitous Adler 30 or Singer 29. Proven designs and parts and manuals available. The Dürkopp you showed is a similar model to what a shoemaker in my neighbourhood has in his window - he says, it doesn't use bobbins at all but winds the thread to a spiral which is inserted into the lower arm of the machine. Threadfeeding is a bit of hit and miss due to unevennes in winding - which is why the Singer 29 an Adler 30 and their many lookalikes use bobbins.

Greets

Ralf C.

[Constabulary]

agree, I would not buy it when it is not fully functional. Almost impossible to find parts. If you are a user and not a collector I´d rather buy an Adler or Singer patcher. Personalyl I´d prefer a Singer patcher because a lot of parts are available (but depends on the model) and Adler parts are extremly expensive.