I bought an ABLE290 manual for my Chinese Shoe Patcher from Darren Brosowski.

[Chadd]

I received the unbranded machine as a Christmas gift off of my Amazon wish list. The manual was laughable and i have absolutely ZERO experience with sewing machines. I was having trouble with thread breakage, wads of thread under the project, and all sorts of other functional issues. After multiple hours of YouTube videos and Googling, I came across a post on this forum from Darren offering advice on these shoe patchers and for something called an ABLE290. From one of Darren's posts, I read "the last thunk or change before the problem is the most likely cause of the problem" (paraphrased). Good advice! From my research, I have found that Darren resells these machines in Australia under his own brand and includes a well written manual (in English, with great pictures). So he really seems to know these machines well. I looked through hundreds of his posts on this forum and finally found him offering just the manual for sale along with his email address (darren@ablesewing.com.au). I sent him an email with a little about my problems and my search for documentation. The next day, I had a message from Darren in my inbox with the manual attached and a request for $20AU via PayPal. I learned what a needle scarf is... and that mine was facing the wrong way. I learned how to properly install the bobbin shuttle driver. I learned to grab the threads (top and bottom) and give a little pull tension when starting the stitch to set the rest up for success. I learned how to properly thread the bobbin and provide bobbin tension for differing types of thread. I also learned all of the adjustment points for my machine that was very similar to the ABLE290. The manual is only a few pages long, but it contains the critical information to make the machine work correctly and consistently. I had my issues corrected less than an hour after fully reading the manual. Now I just need to get some experience with thread tension that will only come with time and experimentation.

I have included a couple of pictures showing the stitches I was able to do after correcting my machine's configuration. (Have a pile of scraps on hand while you are configuring and testing.)

The reason I am posting this is because I did the research, watched the videos, and was still frustrated until I got the RIGHT information from one place. Darren's manual was 100% worth every penny I payed for it.

Thanks Darren!

Edited January 16, 2018 by Chadd

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

Glad you were taken care of and found the information that you needed.

[Chadd]

2 hours ago, Gregg From Keystone Sewing said:

Glad you were taken care of and found the information that you needed.

Thanks! I just wanted to give thanks and put a post out there that might help others stepping into working with these reasonably priced machines.

[cradom]

Been thinking about getting one of those machines myself. They sell manuals separate on the Bay too.. Ought to work ok for lined belts and stuff.

[Darren Brosowski]

Aww shucks - thanks Chadd

[SBNewton]

Unfortunately, Darren is out of business, and the documentation is no longer available from him! I have yet to find an alternative source! Could anyone help me with a copy?

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Steve Newton

[Singermania]

Darren is presently and for the foreseeable future 'gone to ground'.   I thought I had a manual for the machine you mention,  however cannot find it.   The unit though is so incredibly simple that I wonder what a manual might help with.   As with all machines you need to match the needle size to the thread size and adjust the tensions.   Remember patchers only have drive from the foot, the foot is toothed and pulls the material thru, there is no feed dog, so feed is basic and easily upset if you push or pull or allow the material to hang over the arm and add weight.   If you really need help any old patcher manual will help you, for example the Able 290 is similar to the old Claes Elastik type patchers.

[dikman]

There are also quite a few videos on youtube that may help.

[SBNewton]

My research indicates it's a copy of the Bradbury A1 Repairing Machine from the early 1870s (1871-1872)!

http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/bradbury/a1 repairing.htm 

I believe that the shuttle arm needs adjustment. When I received the machine, the installed needle was broken! I've run across THREE methods to install the carrier and shuttle, and ALL seem to be off by 10°-15°of rotation, and the thread doesn't get picked up! It just gets tangled up under the plate!

[Singermania]

Most of the machines from that era were similar, ie the Claes, Bradbury, Elastic etc etc.....I have Claes, Durkoepp, Adler, Singer, Elastic, Bradbury and yes even three of these little Chinese guys in my collection.   None of the new Chinese machines required any rotation, if you were to be fussy a bit of sandpaper over the rough edges might be in order.  What do you mean by 'three methods to install the carrier and shuttle'?  This machine has a little bobbin that sits inside a bobbin case, the thread gets tensioned by the case and comes out to get picked up by the point of the hook.   If you are not picking up the thread then the needle is at the incorrect height or the timing has been knocked out by a tooth.

 

Edited March 21, 2019 by Singermania