max stitch length not correct

[seikostew]

Hi all,still getting to grips with my Seiko LSW-8BL..from what I can find online the max stitch length should be 6.2mm however I can only get 5mm,what can I check to see if this is correct?

thanks

[chrisash]

What thickness of leather are you testing it on, may be different on thin leather or just wear and tear

[shoepatcher]

How long is the reverse stitch?

glenn

[kgg]

Do a quick test with no thread in the needle.Place a sheet of paper under the presser feet and hand wheel through a seam of a dozen stitches then measure. They should all be consistent spacing. It maybe 6.2mm with no load but as the thickness / toughness of the material increases may be less.

kgg

[seikostew]

ok,so on paper 10 stitches gives me 62mm so I guess thats actually ok however reverse gives me 52mm so that needs correcting..Im only sewing thin automotive leather at the moment with 68 thread.

 

 

 

[seikostew]

I have adjusted the reverse as per this thread,both identical now thanks

 

Edited November 16, 2018 by seikostew

[brmax]

I early wished for one of them Seikos or the Singer, I thought and still do. They are excellent machinery. 

I think taking a real good look with the manuals, as to operator adjustments with recommendations is on the list. 

This maximum stitch of 1/4” or close to it ( .244” or 6.2mm on center of 2 holes )  is likely a minor adjustment.

I dont know the specification on the machine. Although I have with found with mine, these adjustments can be best done in sequence with the book. 

 

Good day

Floyd

 

[Matt S]

@seikostewHow high is your feed-dog? I've found that if the feed-dog is much more than 0.5mm proud of the needle-plate at its zenith (just before needle BDC) it tends to shorten the stitch length... somehow...

I know it's not the issue here but be aware that with eliptical-motion needle like this that stitch length reduces with increasing material thickness. For this reason I always check stitch length (forward and back) with a piece of paper or card. For your application I think that this won't be a major problem, as most of the sewing you will do is flat.

[seikostew]

12 minutes ago, Matt S said:

@seikostewHow high is your feed-dog? I've found that if the feed-dog is much more than 0.5mm proud of the needle-plate at its zenith (just before needle BDC) it tends to shorten the stitch length... somehow...

I know it's not the issue here but be aware that with eliptical-motion needle like this that stitch length reduces with increasing material thickness. For this reason I always check stitch length (forward and back) with a piece of paper or card. For your application I think that this won't be a major problem, as most of the sewing you will do is flat.

bit tricky to measure but this!?

 

30 minutes ago, brmax said:

I early wished for one of them Seikos or the Singer, I thought and still do. They are excellent machinery. 

I think taking a real good look with the manuals, as to operator adjustments with recommendations is on the list. 

This maximum stitch of 1/4” or close to it ( .244” or 6.2mm on center of 2 holes )  is likely a minor adjustment.

I dont know the specification on the machine. Although I have with found with mine, these adjustments can be best done in sequence with the book. 

 

Good day

Floyd

 

yes I am slowly working through what I can find online  but its my first machine so still getting used to the terminology

[Matt S]

7 minutes ago, seikostew said:

bit tricky to measure but this!?

No, the maximum height it reaches above the needle plate -- like your photo but upwards rather than sidewards.

It's tricky to get a steel rule or depth mic in there, so I do something like this:

However I use a piece of steel that's the right thickness -- a piece of shimstock, a stanley knife blade, a cheap steel rule, etc. -- laid flat on the needle plate next to the feed dog. Doesn't need to be accurate to a thou, just feel flush with the steel shim to the fingertips. It is my experience that if the dog rises much more than 0.5mm above the needle plate there is a reducing effect on stitch length. On my machine it's a simple adjustment of 2 screws (once the cylinder bed end cap and cover is removed). Yours is likely to be similar.

[brmax]

I believe whatever we do in daily task we have some measuring devices. Many times these perfect selections we found! Were in fact learned through different experiences. 

In these above measurements on sew machines, as all machinery in observations. These two items have provided the most for me through a career. 

Feeler Gauge

Venier Caliper

With these tools I've been able to measure many other items of stock materials for use in other measures. 

These venier calipers are almost given away now days, and digital omg!

I can measure some cut strips of paper or card stock for hook clearances. Or measure some flat steel after filing for a select machine fit that I required. As in another example above, Matt’s photo ( the coin thickness )

Anyway these are the first items of machine measure, that everyone can benefit from.

Some venier calipers benefit having depth measure ability. This is great, some older dial types I have are like this, but a new digital recently picked up lacks this feature. But I can really see it easier!

Not a big deal for the cost. But I do insist it is a strong requirement if only ones in the tool carry.

 

Good day

Floyd