Dropdown roller guide

[Hillbilly tim]

Anyone using the drop-down roller guide on their heavy machines like the class 4 and 5100's? I like the idea, even had been considering making something along those lines before i found it but, i just haven't pulled the trigger yet. I see some versions have an accessory flat guide that is interchangable with the roller, any advantages? Ideas, comments, stories?

 

thx

[JLSleather]

Yep - works good.  Wanna see why?  Couple short videos on this over there at the 'observation' link below -- one about why I didn't like the one, and one about mounting the drop down version.

Otherwise, yep -I use the drop guide, and yep I think it was worth installing it.

[OLDNSLOW]

yup gots me one of them things to, works real good, better than the original device. 

[Uwe]

One of the commonly used drop-down (or swing-down) guides is the KG-867. There's an extended version of that edge guide available called KG-967, which has about 20mm (3/4") more reach. The two guides overlap in the range of motion, and the overlap range places the roller guide right next to the needle on the 441 class machines. If you have a need to place the guide in front of the needle (e.g. for holding a tape folder or binder), you'd want to get the extended KG-967 version. 

The Cobra Class 4 (also TechSew 5100, I think) already have mounting holes drilled and tapped on the back of the machine, so that makes installation easier. If your machine does not have pre-drilled holes you'll have to drill and tap mounting holes. Either way, you'll need an adapter bracket like a KB-205 for a proper installation.

The only real issue with using the swing-down edge guide on a 441 class machines is that the standard manual foot lift handle gets in the way. I made an extension handle to get around that. Just something to keep in mind. 

Here's a short video showing what the installation might look like on a Cowboy 4500: 

 

Edited March 16, 2017 by Uwe

[Hillbilly tim]

Thank you for your insight and information. 

 

Bro. Timothy. 

[Trox]

I use the same guide on my 441 with a self made adapter, made before I have seen Uweˋs solution on the hand foot lifter.

[Trox]

Got those guides on all of my machines, can't live with out them anymore. Especially, I like the option of attachment you can use on these. Like welting, zipper and center guides (for French seams) etc. Just fold it up and out of the way when you don't need it anymore, a real simplifier and time saver.  

[OLDNSLOW]

so that drop down adapter has a zipper attachment?  I have the drop down on my machine and would like to know more on a zipper attachment and capabilities, if you have that or some of the attachments can you post a photo of them please and where they can be purchased!

Thanks

Ron

[Uwe]

The various bits that connect to the guides are listed on the Kwok Hing website: 

http://www.kwokhing.com/adler/da_guide.htm

The zipper guide is called KG-BZ

Edited May 9, 2017 by Uwe

[Trox]

Now I see I really should have bought the zipper guide KG-NR with regulating guide, that's what I need right now changing zippers in a boat top. I think that's new, I did not see that one when I bought mine. However, I can easily modify mine and use the guide from the welting attachment illustrated in KG767T. That welting attachment was available separately when I bought it (with out the suspending guide).

Tor