British United/John O Flaterhty machine

[gardengal171]

This old cobbler machine came out of a copper mine in Morenci Arizona, it had been used to repair the miners boots.  When part of the old Metcalf mine was being shut down and bulldozed over, a guy saved this old machine and had it stored in an old barn for the last 40 years or more,  I've never seen a red one before and have no idea of the age or what it may be worth.  All the parts work and move smoothly but it does need a new shuttle for the bobbin.  Does anyone have information on these machines?

[Constabulary]

Seems to be a PEARSON #6 HM / BUSMC #6 HM - a while ago I have restored a very similar model but labeled DVSG which is the German equivalent of BUSMC.

Check in the sewing machine section for BUSMC and you will figure this machine is still quite popular

Parts are quite expensive but they are available f.i. for Aaron Martin in Canda

https://www.aaronmartin.com/search.php?searchFor=pearson

or check with LW Member SINGERMANIA from Australia - he has at least 1/2 a dozen of these machines and has a lot of parts AFAIK.

 

 

[Matt S]

I agree with Cosntabulary, it's a BUSM #6. There is a PDF copy of the manual available on this site. Check it out, you need to double back through the thread check plates when threading the machine up. The red is from a miner's paint can ;-) I don't know how this would have been used to repair boots, the BUSM6 is a machine primarily designed for making and fixing heavy horse harness. I suppose it could have been used for stitching on new soles but there were smaller, more affordable solutions at the time like the Junker Ruh 28.

Looks like it originally had a bottom-waxing pot, but it's not unusual that this is missing. The top wax pot is also missing, but that's only a problem if you are using linen thread rather than nylon or polyester. Remember to oil all the little oil holes each time you use it. I like to keep the cam tracks and all other sliding parts well greased too.

[gardengal171]

Now that you mention it, the mine it came out of originally had mule drawn carts that took the ore out of the mine, that is probably what it was used for, repairing the harnesses etc..  The guy we got it from didn't really know and just assumed it was for work boots. The number on the hand crank says No 6202, the shuttle looks like it's been repaired in the past and a part came off,  probably needs replacing.  Thank you for all your information on this old antique, we payed $700 for it not knowing anything about it, or what it's actual worth is but it's a lot of fun researching and learning about it.

[gardengal171]

On 8/11/2017 at 11:32 AM, Matt S said:

I agree with Cosntabulary, it's a BUSM #6. There is a PDF copy of the manual available on this site. Check it out, you need to double back through the thread check plates when threading the machine up. The red is from a miner's paint can ;-) I don't know how this would have been used to repair boots, the BUSM6 is a machine primarily designed for making and fixing heavy horse harness. I suppose it could have been used for stitching on new soles but there were smaller, more affordable solutions at the time like the Junker Ruh 28.

Looks like it originally had a bottom-waxing pot, but it's not unusual that this is missing. The top wax pot is also missing, but that's only a problem if you are using linen thread rather than nylon or polyester. Remember to oil all the little oil holes each time you use it. I like to keep the cam tracks and all other sliding parts well greased too.

What kind of oil do you recommend?

 

[Constabulary]

Others may have other preference but I use 10w40 motor oil on mine - this is not the oil I´m using for "regular" sewing machines but I think this beast really can use a heavier oil than standard sewing machine oil.

[Matt S]

1 hour ago, gardengal171 said:

What kind of oil do you recommend?

 

 

11 minutes ago, Constabulary said:

Others may have other preference but I use 10w40 motor oil on mine - this is not the oil I´m using for "regular" sewing machines but I think this beast really can use a heavier oil than standard sewing machine oil.

What Constabulary said -- the beast is not like a modern, high-speed machine and a light oil tends to pour out pretty fast. 10w40 works great, since I have it already sitting on the shelf. Sometimes I reach for the Youngs 303 mostly for the smell... perhaps Constabulary does a similar thing with Ballistol? ;-)

[gardengal171]

Thank you all for that information.  Would any of you know the value of this machine, the more I research it and compare it to photo's of others I've seen, there seems to be a lot of different things missing on this one.  But even though the shuttle looks damaged, it actually sews quite well, nice tight stitches.

[Constabulary]

depends on the market... Condition is not really "beautiful" but when its is fully functional and in this condition I think somewhere between $1000 - $2000. But your treadle base unfortunately is not complete and shuttle is quite worn original tension spring missing and screw holes seem to be worn off. A new owner might want a new shuttle and they are not really cheap. Seems the bobbin winder is missing too - they are hard to find but recently one was on Ebay.co.uk and it did not sell. Check with this seller - he had it for sale:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/saddlemalc99

Maybe you can get more but depends on the marked and how badly someone wants a machine like this and how fast you want to sell it.

This was the original offer for the bobbin winder:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bobbin-winder-for-British-united-Harness-6HM-leather-stitching-machine-/272770015263?hash=item3f825c201f:g:VNUAAOSwsTdZcNmn

Edited August 20, 2017 by Constabulary