Contemplating A Puritan Stitcher: Vamping, Staying, Fairstitch ?

[pcox]

I'll check to see if I have any needles and awls for your machine. Do you know what size you need. Shank diameter is important if you can get it. To start sewing on mine put the work under the foot hold the thread to the left rear engage the clutch. Br sure to have at least 8 inches of thread tail pulled out.

[Uwe]

Thanks for offering to check your stash, pcox.

My Puritan's needle/awl shank size is 0.086".

The one awl I have is 1-7/16" long.

I measured how deep the needle and awl are seated inside their holders, and the closest distance between top and bottom holder during the cycle.

Per the manual, there should be a gap of 1/16" between awl and needle at this timing point. I calculated how long the needle should be based on this info.

So, if I did my calculations right, the needle should be close to 1.97" long and have a 0.086" shank. Any "size" will be fine for testing, I eventually plan to sew with about 207 size thread.

Here's a little scale drawing I made to help me figure this out:

I do really like the concept of needle/awl machines, so I'm gonna try hard to make this one work. Less sure about the chain stitch yet, I tend to lean towards lockstitch machines.

Edited November 3, 2015 by Uwe

[Uwe]

So while I'm waiting to get my hands on some needles and awls I decided to make a new throat plate for my Puritan. The original showed a fair amount of battle scars and the little blade inserts needed to be replaced.

It turns out the WaterJet at my TechShop can do incredibly detailed work with great precision on its huge 6'x10' work table, cutting the three 0.07" wide slots quite nicely. The new throat plate made from 304 stainless steel should last a while. I'm also guessing that the cost of the replacement inserts of the original is higher than my entire throat plate. I'll find out this week when they get back to me a with a quote for several Puritan parts.

[TinkerTailor]

It looks awesome, and should serve the machine well for years. It reminds me of the old guy who does not stop smiling cause he just got new teeth. The only thing is, my ocd can't handle the phillips.......Can't wait to see it stitch

[Anti19]

Hello Uwe! 

Do you have any news to share of your affair with a puritan? Your thread describe pretty much exactly my journey with my stitcher (a low post XL)! Have you figure out a way to make it work? 

[Uwe]

Not yet, but when I do get her to cooperate I will be sure to let everybody know about it 

[leathersmyth]

I have "thousands" of hooks and awls kicking around....   Okay, maybe not quite that many.....but prob couple hundred or so...  But will pull them out and see if they will work on your machine/ 

I also have the manual for the machines that tell you how/what you need as well as parts lists for machine...  Not sure how to send you a copy...   Most of machines are from 1870-1925 which suits me Just well.....  computers, i do what i need on themmmmmmmmm

[leathersmyth]

[mikesc]

leathersmyth..whatever manuals and parts lists that you have ..ask a moderator ( moderators have green links..just click on their names and send them a message ) about how to upload them to here..

Edited November 26, 2017 by mikesc

[leathersmyth]

The one thing that you will have to do to stitch with these machines, You need to have the thread  "loop" around the thread looper for it to catch the hook of the machine....if that makes sense...

Edited November 26, 2017 by leathersmyth