Machine For Sewing Sneaker Midsole?

[nate186]

I know this is an old thread, but I'm thinking of buying a hand crank sidewall stitcher from Robin Industries. I'd like to know if the sidewall sticher can be used as an insole stitcher? I don't think the other way around will work. 

Hockeymender, how has your machine been working. I already have a shoe patcher, and it works as expected.

[Hockeymender]

I sold the machine shortly after I discovered it could not sew the skate tongues. 

[robinindustry]

On 3/10/2019 at 11:12 PM, nate186 said:

I know this is an old thread, but I'm thinking of buying a hand crank sidewall stitcher from Robin Industries. I'd like to know if the sidewall sticher can be used as an insole stitcher? I don't think the other way around will work. 

Hockeymender, how has your machine been working. I already have a shoe patcher, and it works as expected.

 

On 3/11/2019 at 3:18 AM, Hockeymender said:

I sold the machine shortly after I discovered it could not sew the skate tongues. 

Hi nate 186 and hockeymenders,  If you have a higher budget， we suggest you buy our SP168 sidewall sole stitching machine,  we can help you test the shoes before you buy,  we send several these machine to USA before such as Chicago, Detroit, San Jose, Fresno,New York and so on.

More information please check the below link:

http://robinindustry.com/product/395.html

 

[Ole South]

On 3/18/2016 at 11:05 PM, Wizcrafts said:

I was going to mention the McKay machines, but, after watching a few videos, realized that they are not really meant for sewing sidewalls. McKays are chainstitch machines and rely upon overlaid insoles to hide the thread chains. If a member owns a McKay, perhaps they will chime in and tell us if the machine can sew sidewalls on sneakers.

(A very late response, sorry)

I've never thought about trying to use a McKay for side wall stitching but I'll check mine. The biggest problem will be the material advance mechanism...  a single pawl that digs into the material and pushes it forward (toward the awl) that likes a pre-cut channel.  It is a chain Stitcher but that's not a bad thing in this case. Chain stitch has way more stretch than a lockstitch does and would allow the sidewalls to flex better but will unravel if not tied off or glued correctly and the wrong loose thread is pulled.  If you notice, this machine in the video, does NOT pull the lockstitch very tight... you can reduce the size of the shoe by 1/4-1/2 an American Size that way(yeah, I've done that hand-stitching using a saddle stitch :/ )

And yes, a Jerk Awl IS what I usually use to sidewall stitch the toe box if needed. You can go pretty quickly once you get the hang of it. A Speedy Stitcher isn't very useful in the dark confines of a shoe upper.

Btw... a McKay (or Champion) model 77(Insole stitcher) and it's ilk will not work inside a boot due to its horn limitations... thus the need for an Outsole (welt stitcher)  like the Landis K machines. The McKay is far simpler a machine.