Hello From Kansas - newby making financial mistakes - duh!

[Vinito]

Hi folks.

The other day I saw one of those chinese hand-crank patcher machines and thought to myself that I didn't have time for this stuff, but a good friend had a birthday coming up so I picked one up and gave it away. I was ambitious enough to even take it apart and clean/polish everything and set it up before gifting it, and it works like a champ now, but that's not as big a deal as it sounds because I do that kind of thing for a living anyway.

The problem is, the research I did for that project kinda infected me a little of the bug, and I've had a long-time back-burner jones to craft some useful leather stuff now & then. Since I'm old, infrequent thoughts over my years still tallies up a ton of small projects. So long story longer, I started looking into it a little deeper. Figuring the old Singer 29-series machines were similar function but a step-up I was looking at those some. I'm a bit of a machine and machine history junky since it's also my livelihood, so a finer-built version of a machine similar to the one I gave away has built-in appeal simply from the fine machine craftsmanship angle, let alone the joy of using something like it to make cool stuff.

So anyway, it turns out there was an auction with local pickup only going on this week and I was the only bidder on an Adler 30-1, so I ended up winning it. I decided if I didn't win it, then I was too busy to get into this anyway (which I am) but then I blew that and became a proud owner of the Adler, so now I am rationalizing getting into leatherwork. It fits right in with what I do anyway since I have been making stuff with my hands for a living for the past few decades. It's just adding a new facet to that arsenal I guess. I doubt I'll ever be very good at it, but maybe good enough. And along the way I think I can really enjoy making some pretty fun and useful and cool-looking stuff for myself and maybe others.

Well below is a picture of the very machine I won. I need bobbin stuff and it looks like otherwise it's just missing a thumbscrew which I can make in a few minutes. In addition, if the machine works well, I think it will likely be worth adding one of those newfangled eBay servo motors to it since you high-tech whippersnappers keep talking them up. And yes, of course it kinda needs a table. I guess I'll probably make that too. But lack of treadle equals a bit simpler table construction, so that might not be bad. So I guess I can machine stitch now, and I have a bunch of stuff coming from Springfield Leather Co. including a few different thicknesses of VT leather to experiment with... and a few tools & potions too. I figure I can probably make quite a bit of my own tools as I go - that's my field. But we'll see how it goes first anyway.

Let me know what ya think, especially if you notice things about the machine I got which I might want to know about. Also let me know if you think I got a decent deal or not on the machine at $350.

And again, heloooooo!

 

[Ken Nelson]

Looks like you got a bargain if it doesn't cost too much to get set up.   Where in Kansas are you located.  I am in Wakefield, KS building saddles.

[Tugadude]

Welcome to the forum!  It is never too late to start a new addiction!  Seriously, it is a fun hobby and before long you will be turning out things that you wouldn't have believed possible when you began.

Were you a tool-and-die maker by chance.  Sorta sounds like it.  I had an uncle that was and he worked for a carburetor factory (remember those!).  He could do most anything with machines and such.  He ended up getting into clock rebuilding.  He made his own replacement parts frequently because it is so difficult to find what you need.

Have fun!

[Vinito]

Thanks for the welcome replies.

Ken, I'm in the Kansas side of Kansas City. Cool that you're building saddles. Tugadude, you are correct as I am a tool & die guy. Well more accurately a maintenance machinist these days, but the history is there.

I've done a fair amount of woodworking and carpentry along with the metal stuff, but leather is new to me except for the tiny bit I did when I was a scout. Ahh, the good old days. But I'm looking forward to trying this thing out because I've sure spent a lifetime learning how to use my hands to build things since I was young and I'm hoping that I take the occasional dip into some of the more artistic and complex layers of leatherwork in the future. It just looks interesting, appealing and relaxing... well OK I guess the relaxing part might be a factor of how well it's going on a particular day and who is watching over the shoulder, but still...

Got the Adler tucked into the shop today. Just a few minor things to gather before giving it a go. During the big postage wait I'll have time to take a few things apart for a bit of cleaning and lube. I'm pretty sure this machine warrants a restoration. That would be some fun in itself, plus that's more in my wheelhouse anyway. But afterward it will be even more pleasurable to sit in front of while using it.

I guess if I restore it, I should steady be taking pictures as I go and make a restoration thread here.