MikePatterson Report post Posted December 25, 2008 (edited) I thought some of you would enjoy seeing my pride and joy, conversation piece of my shop. I bought this old machine back in the early 70's. From what I can find out about the machine it was built in the early 1900's. As you can see in the photos the machine still has the three pedals and the old tractor style seat as it came from the factory. It still has the wax pot attached although it has not been used in years since nylon thread. It is still powered manually and since it will easily sew through over 1 inch of heavy leather I have never wanted to put a motor on it. The machine has served me well for over 30 years and has been used daily and is still in use at this time. I have had to make a few parts as they have become very hard to find and anytime I could find parts I bought them and put them back in case I needed them later. The old machine has a awl that comes down from the top and punches a hole for the hook needle to come up through from the bottom. A lock stich is tied and the cycle repeats. I have several machines in the shop but when I need to get serious I get in the old tractor seat and start to pedal. If anyone can tell me anything about these old machines or would happen to have any parts please let me know. Edited December 25, 2008 by Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grunt Report post Posted December 25, 2008 WOW! That's a monster! Nice machine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Report post Posted December 25, 2008 I love it! At work we had a Campbell that I painted yellow in the hopes that it would reflect a little more light than the dark blue. I still used linen and wax, it made the most beautiful stitch and you didn't have to worry about anything coming apart. Then in the late nineties, customers started whining "I want the thread to match the leather". So in 2000, I said lets at least come into the twentieth century, so we got an Adler 205. Yeah, I guess its easier to change thread colors and it has reverse, but I don't EVER look at the stitch and think "that is pretty, I'd like to just see that stitch on something" like I did with the Campbell. But what I want to know is, Why three pedals? And what is holding up that seat? Surely not just that 1/4 inch rod. Merry Christmas everybody, Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikePatterson Report post Posted December 25, 2008 the seat is just held up by the 1/2" rod and it slides from side to side depending on how large the project you are sewing is and you can use any of the three pedals depending on where you are sitting. Thanks Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gloomis Report post Posted January 3, 2009 glad to see someone using a champion stitcher,i have been using mine for 40 years for saddles,harness and holsters it still sews good. it has a foot clutch and can sew very slow, yours is a good looking machine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daggrim Report post Posted January 6, 2009 Gloomis, that blue machine looks like a Singer 98k52 patcher. How's that workin' for ya? I have one that I struggle with, but it works. Daggrim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gloomis Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Daggrim,The patch machine is a Singer 29k171 it has a motor that goes way to fast,so I use the hand wheel.I only use it for making a cell phone case or something very lite weight. I would like to get a treadle for it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daggrim Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Mine has a treadle, but until I get more adept, I find myself using the handwheel often to get more control for odd curves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randyandclaudia Report post Posted January 17, 2009 awesome machine Mike! I have the perfect spot for it if you ever want it to have a new home. LOL very cool! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShawnW Report post Posted January 27, 2009 Have you sewed any boot soles with it? I've got a chance to buy one. Still on the factory pedestal, with a motor. Kicking it around because I'd like to do some resoles, but want to get a machine that will let me do that and some tack to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chada Report post Posted May 12, 2013 Hi Mike my name is Al. I saw your old post and photos and wanted to talk to you about your Champion machine. I just picked the exact machine up at an auction and was hopeing i could pick your brain. I know very little about it. Year? Manual availability? Access to parts? Posable value? Your picture is the only one i have found that looks exactly like the one i have. Except i have no seat and mine needs a little cleaning and posable tune up. I would really apprciate any info you can share? Thanks Al Hi Mike my name is Al. I saw your old post and photos and wanted to talk to you about your Champion machine. I just picked the exact machine up at an auction and was hopeing i could pick your brain. I know very little about it. Year? Manual availability? Access to parts? Posable value? Your picture is the only one i have found that looks exactly like the one i have. Except i have no seat and mine needs a little cleaning and posable tune up. I would really apprciate any info you can share? Thanks Al Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dpate Report post Posted January 7, 2014 I acquired one of these recently as an amateur to the industry. Was a complete rust bucket mostly on the outside. I worked a little every night to clean and free up the pieces and parts. I feel I saved it just in time because most of the tolerances seem to be ok for what I know..considering I have had to build some of my own parts and figure this out with very little available info. I was wondering if there was any clearance or adjustment specs out there to help me fine tune this recovered gem? Wish someone would've posted a video on youtube. The only one I found wouldn't play for me. I have it stitching by hand but finding needles has been tuff. I have had to craft my own so far. Any advice or info would be highly appreciated and rewarded with karma. Thanks for your wisdom and pics above. Huge help to me when fabricating my pieces!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatherquestions Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Try Pilgrim Machine for literature. They may even have the Operator Manual. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UberStu Report post Posted July 18, 2020 Just joining the Champion Awl and Hook sewing machine club . I pick up the old girl tomorrow in Ontario Canada . Can’t wait to show it some love . I’m also an amateur machinists so making parts is in my realm of expertise.It looks like a small group , hears to another 100 yrs for these beauties. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trox Report post Posted August 29, 2020 On 12/25/2008 at 4:57 AM, MikePatterson said: I thought some of you would enjoy seeing my pride and joy, conversation piece of my shop. I bought this old machine back in the early 70's. From what I can find out about the machine it was built in the early 1900's. As you can see in the photos the machine still has the three pedals and the old tractor style seat as it came from the factory. It still has the wax pot attached although it has not been used in years since nylon thread. It is still powered manually and since it will easily sew through over 1 inch of heavy leather I have never wanted to put a motor on it. The machine has served me well for over 30 years and has been used daily and is still in use at this time. I have had to make a few parts as they have become very hard to find and anytime I could find parts I bought them and put them back in case I needed them later. The old machine has a awl that comes down from the top and punches a hole for the hook needle to come up through from the bottom. A lock stich is tied and the cycle repeats. I have several machines in the shop but when I need to get serious I get in the old tractor seat and start to pedal. If anyone can tell me anything about these old machines or would happen to have any parts please let me know. Love that tractor seat treadle. Was there not a longer arm version, thought I saw one for sale the other day. I've heard they are hard to get parts for. Tor Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MSARPACKER Report post Posted August 3, 2021 Can anyone tell me more about these i just picked up 2 and am trying to get information on the size of motor to run them. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samalan Report post Posted August 13, 2021 On 8/29/2020 at 4:14 PM, Trox said: Love that tractor seat treadle. Was there not a longer arm version, thought I saw one for sale the other day. I've heard they are hard to get parts for. Tor Doesn't look heavy enough IOL that's beautiful my friend . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted August 25, 2021 On 8/3/2021 at 2:32 PM, MSARPACKER said: Can anyone tell me more about these i just picked up 2 and am trying to get information on the size of motor to run them. Thanks I've used whatever was on hand from a 1/3,1/2,3/4 hp put the smallest pulley on the motor you can find to keep the speed down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VEW Report post Posted August 7, 2022 On 7/18/2020 at 6:06 PM, UberStu said: Just joining the Champion Awl and Hook sewing machine club . I pick up the old girl tomorrow in Ontario Canada . Can’t wait to show it some love . I’m also an amateur machinists so making parts is in my realm of expertise.It looks like a small group , hears to another 100 yrs for these beauties. Were you ever able to get any additional information on these machines? Possibly a manual? I’ve owned one for about 18 years, never had any major problems, just don’t know much about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cumberland Highpower Report post Posted August 11, 2022 (edited) I've got a couple of Champions...A narrow throat I modified for special work and a regular depth Champion. I don't know if any manuals still exist? But truthfully they're so simple and heavily built I don't think you'd ever need a manual if you know anything about sewing machines. I like how they sew. As far as parts go they are nonexistent. Best thing to do is scour for a used junker an steal what you need. I use cut down UL needles in mine. I run z twist linen on top and s on the bobbin when using linen. Z on both when running poly. Maybe my favorite old hook and awl stitcher, just something about them. Edited August 11, 2022 by Cumberland Highpower Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kingdog3 Report post Posted August 19, 2022 Common Industrial Sewing Thread and Needle Sizes Tex Size Ticket Number Govt Cord Size Needle for Nylon Thread Landis Needle Landis Awl T-70 69 E 110/18 T-90 92 F 125/20 T-135 138 FF 140/22 T-210 207 #5 160/28 T-270 277 #6 180 14 14 T-350 346 #7 230 15 15 T-400 415 #8 250 16 16 T-600 554 #9 280 17 17 T-700 693 #10 300 A size larger awl than needle can be used for repair work or hard material. A size amaller thread should be utilized in the bobbin than in the machine. Champion Narrow Throat Stitcher Stitches Per Inch Top Thread Bobbin Thread Champion Needle Champion Awl 10-12 5 Cord 4 Cord 6 5 8-10 6 Cord 5 Cord 5 4 7-9 7 Cord 6 Cord 4 3 6-7 8 Cord 7 Cord 3 2 4-6 9 Cord 8 Cord 2 1 Left Hand Thread goes on the machine, right or left hand in the bobbin Thread Size Thread Tex Size Needle Size Metric Needle Size 15 16 10-12 70-80 33 35 12-14 80-90 46 45 14-16 90-100 69 70 16-18 100-110 92 90 18-20 110-125 138 135 20-22 125-140 207 210 22-24 140-180 277 270 24-26 180-220 346 350 26-28 220-260 415 410 28-30 260-330 554 600 30-32 330-360 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kingdog3 Report post Posted August 20, 2022 (edited) I Tried to upload the manual but had to create a share folder please see the following post Edited August 20, 2022 by Kingdog3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kingdog3 Report post Posted August 20, 2022 I have uploaded the Champion manual to Google drive you may access it from the following link. If you have any Champion questions I would be happy to help in anyway I can. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eWjXd4EakVpCkA7ZTEugrUgXwCwTeJIb/view?usp=sharing Needles and parts are partially available from: Landis Machine Co, Eli Slabach, 115 E Cr 500 N Arthur IL 61911, 217-543-3464 Campbell-Randall, Dan Naegle, 405 FM 3083 Rd Conroe, TX 77301, 800-327-9420 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aadlFLbTz9ViUXpB69c24CO9wVfmrswu/view?usp=sharing Frankford Leather Company, 1820 Byberry Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020, 215-244-0400 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aadlFLbTz9ViUXpB69c24CO9wVfmrswu/view?usp=sharing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cumberland Highpower Report post Posted August 20, 2022 That's a pretty awesome find. I've never seen a manual for a Champion. I can see why it lists such heavy thread/cord being a shoe stitcher. I have a Peerless 30 I modified to sew a special item and I often run 3 and 4 cord on it. Works great and stitches beautifully with even these lighter weight cords. I'm using Randall and UL needles in mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kingdog3 Report post Posted August 21, 2022 For some reason I cannot edit my posts on here maybe that's just the way it is......the link for the Frankford Leather did not paste correctly I pasted Campbell twice refer to the following for the Frankford link. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TMfUSTmEIAe6V2jiF9lmkHUI8Ws_t1Ps/view?usp=sharing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
