Singer 29-4

[Grumpymann]

Never thought I would be here. But I have a line on a Singer 29-4 leather sewing machine. I do a lot of smaller items. Phone cases, Messenger bags and the like. I was wondering if it not only was a good fit for what I'm doing but if it was a good deal. i.e. worth the price I'm paying up front and if the things I need to put it in working order are avable with out taking out a mortgage.

I want to start out knowing if the machine is a good fir for what I'm doing. What kinds of things is a 29-4 treadle machine good for?

 

[DrmCa]

This is a shoe patcher, you realize that? For phone cases I would imagine you need a flatbed machine or a desk attachment for that patcher. Thread-wise it should be fine.

[Grumpymann]

Um..... Nope that's why I asked....

Thanks!

[Wizcrafts]

I own three patcher machines. I use them for odd jobs that have lots of turns, like sewing patches onto vests and jackets, especially over sleeves and pockets. Seiing as how the 29 type machines are top fed, via teeth on the foot, and the foot can be turned 360 degrees and they have a very narrow snout, they can sew where no one has sewn before!

There are a few things one should keep in mind when considering buying an old used patcher, as outlined below.

• The 29-4 machines were produced around the turn of the 20th Century, until the 1930s or so. This makes any surviving machines ancient and usually well worn.
• A Singer 29-4 can only sew and safely advance about 1/4 inch of leather, although you can drag about 5/16" under the foot.
• The maximum stitch length is 5 to the inch at 8 ounces thickness or less. This usually decreases as you approach the maximum usable thickness.
• As the feed mechanism wears down over time, the maximum stitch length gets shorter and shorter. It's not uncommon to see a Singer patcher that only gives 8 stitches per inch.
• They are top feed machines that depend on aggressive teeth on the bottom of the presser foot to drag the leather back as it sews. These teeth can leave very impressive tooth tracks in the top grain.
• The bobbin on a 29-4 is about the size of 4 dimes stacked together. Unless you load them with #69 thread, you'll run out of bobbin thread after only a few projects.
• There is no standard way to attach an edge guide.
• If the front barrel locking thumbscrew is missing, the foot can freely turn as you sew. Getting straight lines on a patcher is a challenge.
• If you turn the foot around to sew backwards, you can't see the stitch line as well as in the forward direction.
• Some of the parts that wear out may not be available from aftermarket makers in China. They tend to support later models of these machines, from the mid 20th Century.
• The last Singer patch machine was the 29k172 or k173, made in the 1970s in Japan. I own a 29k172, which is a long arm, big bobbin Singer patcher. I use it to sew patches and fix purses.
• Finally, Singer long ago dissolved its industrial sewing machine business and sold off all assets and tooling. They will be of no help if you need parts, manuals or advice.

[Constabulary]

There are better machines for serious leather work out there. Patchers are funny sewing machines and they are good for many purposes but I´d rather look for a triple feed / walking foot industrial machine either a flat bed or cylinder bed machine. Maybe this pinned thread will give you an idea.

Since you are in PA I´d check with dealers like keysew.com - they are in Phili, PA. or maybe Toledo Sewing Machine in Toledo, Ohio.I´m sure both offer good used machines (and new of course) and both have an excellent reputation here in the LW forum.

 

[Grumpymann]

Thanks for the information.  I will keep looking.

[catskin]

Has anyone on here dealt with  Horse n harness in Ohio  they claim to have sold hundreds of  29-4 machines and claim to have almost  all parts for them. For same day shipping.   Was looking at the website and wondered.  Since I might be interested in parts.

[shoepatcher]

Prices seem high to me.  There are no new parts available special to the 29-4 now that Pilgrim Shoe Machinery has closed in May of this year. 

glenn

[ScoobyNewbie]

SQUEEEEE! I just bought one of these Saturday! 50$! It’s been in a barn for 30-40 years! It’s going to be so much fun to fix up!

Can I use WD-40? Or is that too rough? Can I use the stuff that reverses rust damage? Or will that just weld my internal parts together?

So excited to know somebody that knows!

oh, well, that wasn’t creepy at all, was it?

[catskin]

Hi S N ,  As for using WD40 it likely won't hurt  but I recently found that what really worked for me to loosen up tiny rusted parts was john deere  hytran low viscosity. Its a hydraulic oil and it seemed to get in and loosen up the latches on antique sock knitting machine needles so it would likely do a good job on other stuff that is not as delicate too.

[dikman]

WD-40 won't harm anything and is pretty good at loosening grime, just don't rely on it as a lubricant or for rust protection. As for "rust reverser"? I haven't heard of that before, rust is a process of metal erosion, once the metal's gone you can't bring it back. Are you thinking of Rust Converter? This stuff basically neutralises the rust and seals it by chemical reaction (it normally consists of phosphoric acid). Can be pretty useful on stands etc before painting, but I'd be wary of using it inside a machine.

Another concoction for loosening stuck parts is a 50:50 mix of acetone and auto trans fluid. Many people swear by it.

Sounds like a good buy and should be an interesting challenge.

[jimi]

8 hours ago, catskin said:

Has anyone on here dealt with  Horse n harness in Ohio  they claim to have sold hundreds of  29-4 machines and claim to have almost  all parts for them. For same day shipping.   Was looking at the website and wondered.  Since I might be interested in parts.

Wow!! They do have some steep prices for the parts? and as it states they are all "used" parts!

[Mark842]

10 hours ago, catskin said:

Has anyone on here dealt with  Horse n harness in Ohio  they claim to have sold hundreds of  29-4 machines and claim to have almost  all parts for them. For same day shipping.   Was looking at the website and wondered.  Since I might be interested in parts.

I've purchased some parts from them in the past for a patcher I restored. They are proud of the parts for sure but nobody else had what I needed. That being said, they definitely do not have ALL the parts that some of these machines might need because I know of at least three parts I had to go to some Amish friends in PA for.

[Constabulary]

I have got a good lot of used and some NOS 29K patcher parts. Send me a message with what you are looking for and I check what I have or probably can give hints for alternative parts.

[catskin]

Thanks for your answers.  A friend and I have found a 29-4 patcher that we wondered about.  But now it seems the seller wants way to much.  She had said we can make a deal  and then set a minimum of $ 750.00 for a machine that likely won't work and has parts missing.  So likely will pass on it unless she gets much more reasonable its a no go.  Saw one sell a year ago for $100.00.