Landis #3 New to me!

[Goldshot Ron]

OK Sioux, I have a request....would you post photos of how you thread the bobbin?  I purchased a 3 several years ago because I thought I needed one.  Anyway, I was never sure if the bobbin was threated correctly.  Lately, I have been having trouble on the bobbin side of the stitch.  Also, where can you buy extra bobbins?  I only have one. 

My machine"s story is that it came from King Saddlery through Sheridan Leather, via a gentleman from Northern New Mexico.  Cool to have tools with such history.

Thanks, Ron

[ensitmike]

Is there a video somewhere that explains how this works?

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

4 hours ago, Goldshot Ron said:

OK Sioux, I have a request....would you post photos of how you thread the bobbin?  I purchased a 3 several years ago because I thought I needed one.  Anyway, I was never sure if the bobbin was threated correctly.  Lately, I have been having trouble on the bobbin side of the stitch.  Also, where can you buy extra bobbins?  I only have one. 

My machine"s story is that it came from King Saddlery through Sheridan Leather, via a gentleman from Northern New Mexico.  Cool to have tools with such history.

Thanks, Ron

I’ve got one that supposedly was rebuilt by King, and I found paperwork (receipts from Cuba NM) which is between Albuquerque and Farmington!  

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

As far as threading the bobbin, it needs to lay so that the thread come from the bottom, then out the small slot! Now roll the shuttle assembly over, and insert thread into the small hole, then UNDER the outer spring, but OVER the black spring, back into the shuttle...

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

10 hours ago, Goldshot Ron said:

OK Sioux, I have a request....would you post photos of how you thread the bobbin?  I purchased a 3 several years ago because I thought I needed one.  Anyway, I was never sure if the bobbin was threated correctly.  Lately, I have been having trouble on the bobbin side of the stitch.  Also, where can you buy extra bobbins?  I only have one. 

My machine"s story is that it came from King Saddlery through Sheridan Leather, via a gentleman from Northern New Mexico.  Cool to have tools with such history.

Thanks, Ron

Looks like Turbo answered your question better than I could have.  

Bobbins and parts are going to be difficult to source.  I'd try Campbell/Randall . . . I know they quit buying and rebuilding the 3's, but they supposedly have a few parts left.  Eli Schlabaugh in Illinois may have some also.  He is Amish, so no web presence, but you should be able to find his phone number by googling either his name or Landis Sales and Service.

Just out of curiosity, what trouble are you having with the bottom side?  Many, if not most of the issues with these machines (if in good operating condition) can be traced directly to thread quality.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

6 hours ago, turbotexas said:

I’ve got one that supposedly was rebuilt by King, and I found paperwork (receipts from Cuba NM) which is between Albuquerque and Farmington!  

When King's had the auction some years back after Don's passing, there were supposedly quite a few #3's sold.  Unfortunately, I was not able to attend.

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

6 hours ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

Looks like Turbo answered your question better than I could have.  

Bobbins and parts are going to be difficult to source.  I'd try Campbell/Randall . . . I know they quit buying and rebuilding the 3's, but they supposedly have a few parts left.  Eli Schlabaugh in Illinois may have some also.  He is Amish, so no web presence, but you should be able to find his phone number by googling either his name or Landis Sales and Service.

Just out of curiosity, what trouble are you having with the bottom side?  Many, if not most of the issues with these machines (if in good operating condition) can be traced directly to thread quality.

What type of thread are you using? Nylon, polyester or the old school stuff? Then what type of wax? I see this nylon thread wearing parts quickly? 

[Goldshot Ron]

I'll go to the shop and try rethreading the shuttle.  Sioux,  the bobbin thread is clumping; like you would see on a poorly sewn backstitch.

I'm using nylon bonded thread with silicon lubricant in the wax pot.  My stitching looks like the "old" fox said: "...some days chicken, some days feathers".  Now that you mentioned Cuba, NM; that's where the fellow lives who I bought the machine from.

I know that these machines were made for linen thread, but I'm unaware of a good source.

Thanks guys for the info.

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Goldshot Ron said:

I'll go to the shop and try rethreading the shuttle.  Sioux,  the bobbin thread is clumping; like you would see on a poorly sewn backstitch.

I'm using nylon bonded thread with silicon lubricant in the wax pot.  My stitching looks like the "old" fox said: "...some days chicken, some days feathers".  Now that you mentioned Cuba, NM; that's where the fellow lives who I bought the machine from.

I know that these machines were made for linen thread, but I'm unaware of a good source.

Thanks guys for the info.

This is a wrong combination. Nylon thread is already lubricated. The tensioners on needle and awl machines need to get a good grip on the thread to pull up the knots. They were designed with linen thread in mind. The silicon makes the thread slippery, which throws off the tensioners' affect. The wax pot is for liquid wax, not silicon. Further, nylon is not recommended as a dry thread in these machines. If you must use bonded thread, use bonded polyester. It is already lubricated.

Believe it or not, you can still buy linen thread for needle and awl machines. It is distributed by Campbell-Randall, in Texas, under two varieties: Hungarian Linen and Barbour's Irish Linen Thread. I strongly recommend Barbour's because it is cleaner. The Hungarian thread had all manner of loose fragments protruding from the twisted thread. While liquid beeswax would smooth them down, Campbell's Lax Wax did not. Barbour's Irish linen is the best I have ever used, albeit you will need to back way off on the tensions.

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

1 hour ago, Goldshot Ron said:

I'll go to the shop and try rethreading the shuttle.  Sioux,  the bobbin thread is clumping; like you would see on a poorly sewn backstitch.

I'm using nylon bonded thread with silicon lubricant in the wax pot.  My stitching looks like the "old" fox said: "...some days chicken, some days feathers".  Now that you mentioned Cuba, NM; that's where the fellow lives who I bought the machine from.

I know that these machines were made for linen thread, but I'm unaware of a good source.

Thanks guys for the info.

I talked to Eli today at Landis, and he suggested using the polyester thread! He said the nylon kinks too easily! That may be what you’re getting in your stitch?