Moderator Wizcrafts Posted December 11, 2015 Moderator Report Posted December 11, 2015 snipMy grandad was a NCR cash register routeman (mechanic and sales) who had about half of the West as his route. snip Art My Father was a tailor and had his own shop for a half century. He couldn't play a musical instrument, but, he sure could play his NCR cash register! Cha-ching. Quote Posted IMHO, by Wiz My current crop of sewing machines: Cowboy CB4500, Singer 107w3, Singer 139w109, Singer 168G101, Singer 29k71, Singer 31-15, Singer 111w103, Singer 211G156, Adler 30-7 on power stand, Techsew 2700, Fortuna power skiver and a Pfaff 4 thread 2 needle serger.
Members TinkerTailor Posted December 11, 2015 Members Report Posted December 11, 2015 (edited) It is curious that Singer made machines that you could work on with just a screwdriver, ok maybe a large and a small screwdriver, and in a few cases a Very large screwdriver. However, they may have never produced a screw that you could purchase at a real hardware store (as opposed to the bubble packed retail establishments of today). My grandad was a NCR cash register routeman (mechanic and sales) who had about half of the West as his route. I inherited his tools, and 85% of them were screwdrivers and 10% pliers, the rest were files, hammers, and a few really specialty things. So even cash registers were made so the common guy could get in there and muck things up without ever needing to go buy a wrench. Art If you look at home machines from the 50's until now, the number of exposed screws has declined, they gradually all get covered by housings or replaced entirely by snap together plastic enclosures. User servicable items are a nightmare for the warranty and service department, non-user servicable forces them to bring it in and get it serviced, then told to buy that new machine right there.... I know, there is a whole other issue here, and a comment about non-serviceable disposable society being non-functional, but i try to keep my politics outta this site....for the most part Edited December 11, 2015 by TinkerTailor Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members TZBrown Posted December 11, 2015 Members Report Posted December 11, 2015 (edited) I truly understand the frustration, Though I am only a hobby seamster, with very limited leather experience, When I got into sewing outdoor gear that was not available or affordable about 15 years ago. Repaired, rebuilt and re-timed many home machines and given many away to those less fortunate that wanted to learn to sew. Even a few commercials on the list. If I have to ask a question on a machine I had really tried to find the answer beforehand, and really do appreciate the knowledge that folks on here share. To me there is no excuse for rudeness, or the expectation that someone is "owed" an answer. Right now I am working on my Consew 226, reverse stitch length needs to be more balanced to forward, It will get there. I usually would just stitch forward 3 turn the work around and continue to lock it, but I am sure I can do better Edited December 11, 2015 by TZBrown Quote Life's A Journey It's not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body, But rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, Woo Hoo!....What a Ride! My Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/56844387@N04/sets/ My Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/TZBrown01/videos
Members TinkerTailor Posted December 11, 2015 Members Report Posted December 11, 2015 I truly understand the frustration, Though I am only a hobby seamster, with very limited leather experience, When I got into sewing outdoor gear that was not available or affordable about 15 years ago. Repaired, rebuilt and re-timed many home machines and given many away to those less fortunate that wanted to learn to sew. Even a few commercials on the list. If I have to ask a question on a machine I had really tried to find the answer beforehand, and really do appreciate the knowledge that folks on here share. To me there is no excuse for rudeness, or the expectation that someone is "owed" an answer. Right now I am working on my Consew 206, reverse stitch length needs to be more balanced to forward, It will get there. I usually would just stitch forward 3 turn the work around and continue to lock it, but I am sure I can do better If I have to ask someone at a business for advice, provided I am not already a customer, I try my hardest to find something to buy as at least a small token of respect and thanks. It goes a long way the next time. If you go there in person, phone first, ask if they are too busy to see you, and ask if they want a coffee, or anything. Small tokens get big prizes sometimes, which you will never see if you don't throw out a token now and again. Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members TZBrown Posted December 11, 2015 Members Report Posted December 11, 2015 If I have to ask someone at a business for advice, provided I am not already a customer, I try my hardest to find something to buy as at least a small token of respect and thanks. It goes a long way the next time. If you go there in person, phone first, ask if they are too busy to see you, and ask if they want a coffee, or anything. Small tokens get big prizes sometimes, which you will never see if you don't throw out a token now and again. Fully agree with this, And I always have bought something or left $$ on the counter before I left, if I couldn't find something I needed Quote Life's A Journey It's not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body, But rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, Woo Hoo!....What a Ride! My Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/56844387@N04/sets/ My Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/TZBrown01/videos
Members gottaknow Posted December 12, 2015 Members Report Posted December 12, 2015 I allow operators in the factory to change needles and presser feet. That's it. I don't let the supervisors do anything more either. I have over 100 machines to keep in top working condition. I still have folks that take the liberty to "touch" things they have no idea what they do. The arguments I get are usually based on their experiences with their home machines. Apples to oranges. The two machines I've helped people with on this forum were butchered by people who supposedly had good intentions but lacked the knowledge. The dealers on this site go above and beyond from what I can tell. There are always two sides to the story. Wow. That was a whole lot of rambling. Regards, Eric Quote
Members Darren Brosowski Posted December 13, 2015 Author Members Report Posted December 13, 2015 Don't get me wrong folks, I provide a lot of advice gratis and think nothing of it. The "problem" is when someone pretty much demads free help with their machine. I have had the odd email from customers of the guys mentioned above so of course I suggest they go back to the supplier as I know they will help. As Gregg suggested it is more likely that they bought something on ebay etc that looks like a Cowboy/Techsew/Whatever and think that as we sell something that loks like it we should provide endless help. The big killer is when they ask "You have this part on eBay - do you know where I can get it cheaper?". Two word answer to that question and one of the words starts with ......... Quote
Members okiwen Posted December 13, 2015 Members Report Posted December 13, 2015 Fully agree with this, And I always have bought something or left $$ on the counter before I left, if I couldn't find something I needed Yup to both of these. I needed information and asked on here and called Keystone. Got great info and ended up buying a new motor and a whole bunch of stuff I really didn't need yet,just because I appreciated the help. If I am ever in need of a bondage item I'll call Wiz. Had my eye on a new machine from Steve since I had to sell the Artisan he helped me with when I bought it from him so long ago. Good group of guys here. Quote - - - -Kevin Orr
Members Darren Brosowski Posted December 13, 2015 Author Members Report Posted December 13, 2015 Lots of guys here give free advice. I have been known to throw my 2c worth in even though I am half way across the world and there is no commercial interest in doing so. There are two ways to look at it 1/ There is an international upswing incustom leaterwork and promoting it helps my business 2/ I just love bloody big machines of all sorts. Take your pick LOL Quote
Moderator Wizcrafts Posted December 13, 2015 Moderator Report Posted December 13, 2015 Snip If I am ever in need of a bondage item I'll call Wiz. Snip Huh? Quote Posted IMHO, by Wiz My current crop of sewing machines: Cowboy CB4500, Singer 107w3, Singer 139w109, Singer 168G101, Singer 29k71, Singer 31-15, Singer 111w103, Singer 211G156, Adler 30-7 on power stand, Techsew 2700, Fortuna power skiver and a Pfaff 4 thread 2 needle serger.
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