Newby here. Holes in my pockets!

[Vinito]

... no I don't need to patch the holes in my pockets, it's just where the money is flowing through right now.

I got the bright idea to buy one of those Chinese patcher machines for a friend's birthday present, but in the research process I got bit by the bug a little. I was watching eBay auctions and before I knew it, I won an auction for an Adler 30-1 !!

So soon I'll be able to machine stitch, but of course that's just scratching the surface. I have a ton of stuff in my cart at Springfield Leather Co. and looking forward to that order too. I guess first thing I need is a pile of leather. ?? haha

Needs bobbins & shuttle (Singer 29K, clone) and maybe a couple knobs and such, but I'm a machinist by trade so should not be a problem at all to mint it up. Hope I didn't get screwed for under $400.

I can make a nice base for it, and am already considering a fancy, newfangled eBay servo motor to power it, but trying not to put the cart before the horse just yet. I have plenty of time to scramble my priorities in the future, so might as well keep things simple for the moment.

Edited August 22, 2019 by Vinito

[YinTx]

Awesome!  Lots of folks here that can help with old machinery, and several tinkerers and restorers as well as leather folks, this'll fit right in!

  What do you plan to make?

YinTx

[Sheilajeanne]

If that's what you are paying for a patcher that's missing parts, has no table, and no motor, I can see now why Wiz was pressuring me to buy the antique Singer patcher that was available locally WITH a table and motor, for $300.!! 

Unfortunately, I needed a new lawnmower more than I needed the patcher!

Edited August 23, 2019 by Sheilajeanne
added link

[Vinito]

Thanks folks.

I don't have specific plans yet other than the fact that I've had a back-burner desire to make sheaths and holsters, tool holders and pouches and generic stuff like thick webbing to things. Stuff like that. I just never did it because I didn't have the stuff around to do it neither by hand nor machine, so this might be really handy.

From what I can see, the thing might be missing a knob for a tension assembly, (which I can make in 15 minutes) and no bobbin or shuttle. From what I have read, these things are close clones of Singer 29 series small-bobbin machines and many mechanical parts are interchangeable and easy to find.

Yeah, I'm probably paying about what the thing is worth, or maybe just a pretty good deal at best compared to getting a steal, but I'm pretty sure it's not a gouge at least. I figure I'll need to blow no more than $25 for bobbins & shuttle and I guess time will tell if the machine is in good nick or clapped out. I'm guessing from the pictures that it probably ain't too bad.

If a servo motor is a bit over $100 that won't be bad. The newfangled goodness of a motor like that might be a joy to use compared to the wayback stuff - you know... back when I was a kid.

I do woodworking as well as metal so I'll prolly end up building my own table I suppose. Free + labor. Labor will be a couple hundred hours (exaggerating) the way things go for me, but it might be fun anyway.

So nearest I can figure is $350 for machine, $120 for motor and $25 for bobbins & shuttle, the rest is labor. I could strip it down, clean the parts and repaint for another $5, so that's a maybe. Might be OK for just under $500 total outlay in the end. The labor I chalk up to tuition since learning how the thing goes together and gets cleaned & maintained is good to know anyway and undoubtedly due to be done. Plus it's just fun to tinker.

But yeah, if I had run across that Singer for $300, I would have taken that option.

[Doc Reaper]

dude, You did fine! I just picked up a Cobra patch stitcher for a butt load compared to what you will have in your machine.if you have any questions feel free to contact me.

[Vinito]

Wow, that Cobra looks to be yet another 85- 90% clone of the Singer as well. I hope that means the design is timeless and bulletproof, thus worth copying. Thanks for the offer of help.