New Tandy Craftool Pro Stitch Master made by Sailrite

[bgstewart7]

Just purchased the Tandy Stitch Pro, but I'm very new to sewing and leather making.  Will it handle a v-138 thread on a #20 needle?

[RemingtonSteel]

3 hours ago, bgstewart7 said:

Will it handle a v-138 thread on a #20 needle?

@bgstewart7,

From Tandy's website on the CRAFTOOL® PRO STITCH MASTER SEWING MACHINE (Craftool® Pro Stitch Master Sewing Machine — Tandy Leather, Inc.):

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Compatible needle size range is #10 to #22. Thread range is from general home sewing thread to size #92.

From Sailrite's website on the Sailrite® Leatherwork® Sewing Machine Package (Sailrite® Leatherwork® Sewing Machine Package (110V) - Sailrite):

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You can use thread up to V-92 (Tex 90) and needles up to #22 with this machine, although we recommend V-92 Polyester and #20 DI Leather Needles for most applications.

Based on both of these sites (same machine), I would say Yes to the #20 needle, but No to the v-138 thread.  Having said that, manufacturers often put the highest specs that the machine will run smoothly and reliably with.  That does not mean that it can not sew with v-138, and you would not know until you try. Doing so could void the warranty so do it at your own risk, but I would not recommend it.

I really hope this is not something you need the machine to do, but were just wondering about. Not to be rude, but if this is something you need the machine to do, you probably should have asked this question before purchasing. The bright side is that Tandy has a decent return policy (14 days on this machine), so you might be able to return the machine if you do need one that sews with heaver thread.  This is definitely a nice little compact machine, which is great for someone who is tight on space and sewing light weight leather products. If you keep it, I hope you enjoy it and that it serves you well.

Edited April 21, 2021 by RemingtonSteel

[Wizcrafts]

The Sailrite portable walking foot machines "can" use #138 bonded thread if you are careful with your adjustments. However, doing so will place a lot of extra stress on the take-up lever and its associated connections, for which it was not designed. IOW, you may get away with it, or you may not.

The machine specs say it can use up to a #22 needle. In my experience sewing leather, that size will work fine in soft leather, but not in hard leather. You may need a #23 needle to pull the knots up without maxing out the top tensioner. The bobbin tension will definitely need to be at a minimum to get a #22 needle to pull up #138 thread, top and bobbin.