JimDavies Report post Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) I am new to sewing machines and I recently got a Seiko LCW-8BL. It is great! But I was wondering if it is possible to reduce the marking of the (veg tan) leather on the underside? Here is a phone cover I just made. Thank you. Jim Edited November 28, 2015 by JimDavies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted November 28, 2015 Got yerself a biter there....Most leatherworkers use smooth feet and dogs to minimize this. It looks like you may have teeth. The standard seiko ones do according to the parts drawings. You will probably need to change the dog, or grind off its teeth. I did some digging and i don't know if seiko makes them but smooth dogs are not in the parts and accessories list from here:http://www.seiko-sewing.co.jp/english/p1.html They do show some other dogs, but they are for other operations, or other models and most have teeth. Modification may be the only resort. I would call toledo sewing as they are cowboy dealers and quite knowledgeable, they may have a solution for you. The reason i suggest them is cowboy/hightex list parts including feet and dogs for your machine on their site without specifics. (http://cowboysew.com/Seiko.htm). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimDavies Report post Posted November 28, 2015 Excellent information, thank you. I will check out those links and think on. What would be required to grind the teeth? I have a dremel I guess I'd have to do some dismantling. Anyone got a pic how smooth I should be aiming for? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted November 28, 2015 Excellent information, thank you. I will check out those links and think on. What would be required to grind the teeth? I have a dremel I guess I'd have to do some dismantling. Anyone got a pic how smooth I should be aiming for? Yeah, grinding is grinding. A dremel is perfect, My only concern is how deep the grooves go and if the dog can be adjusted high enough to work afterward. The other way is to fill the grooves with jb weld and file/sand it smooth. As smooth as possible. I would get a second dog, preferably an aftermarket cheaper one to modify in case you run into an issue. At least you still have an original. It is a seiko, which is a good machine, though not as well supported as a home leatherworker machine as a 441 or an adler. I am NOT a seiko expert. Modifying feet and dogs is a general operation that is done to many different machines to get them ready for leather. The feet people sell for the 441 machines are just manufactured versions of foot designs some guy did with his dremel using an original foot... Now, Don't go grinding your feet tonight, wait a day or two. We shouldn't be surprised if one of the other guys chimes in and drops the info that it is a clone of some singer or something and xyz part is all you need. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimDavies Report post Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) OK. So I just slid the cover off and I see these screws. Before I do something I might regret, do you suppose I could adjust the height of the dogs? Thanks. Edited November 28, 2015 by JimDavies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted November 28, 2015 OK. So I just slid the cover off and I see these screws. Before I do something I might regret, do you suppose I could adjust the height of the dogs? Thanks. I was only giving general instructions as to common modifications, I have not worked on your machine, and am not familiar with the internal workings of a seiko, or how far adjustments can be taken. Likely, yes you can adjust the height. How and where is the adjustment? For that answer I strongly suggest getting a parts breakdown and an adjustment manual and study it before you jump in. Talk to a seiko dealer or a leather machine mechanic for their suggestions. Also, digital pictures are free. Take lots during disassembly, it may save yer ass at assembly time. I even take all the screws that held a part on and place them on a piece of paper with the name of the part written on it and then take the picture. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ole South Report post Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) I've knocked the tops off of dogs (and feet) with wet/dry paper and/or diamond files but has anyone ever tried cross hatching dogs rather than just grinding the peaks? You'd end up with more of a knurled surface without giving up dimension, might give a nicer texture, make it look like we intended to do it. Edited November 28, 2015 by Ole South Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
