Landis #1 and champion peerless 30

[amandabstewart]

I've stumbled on to a Landis #1 and a champion peerless 30. The Landis is in amazing shape...the champion is packed with junk around it but it looks good too...not sure because there are so many machine parts to it to my eyes!

I am near Amish country and Amish friends ao have a little help there most likely...

I know the Landis needles may be difficult to find...so searching there and would appreciate help. I should also look to be sure the shuttle is there, correct? It was owned and maintained by a fastidious cobbler...and has been sitting well stored for a long time. It has the book too.

I'm 99.9% certain the champion will be beyond me so it will be up for grabs...parts or whatever to save it from the dump.

I'm a newbie....not to antique-made crafts, but, def to these machines for sure! 

Will greatly appreciate help in learning and in rehoming thr champion. 

The son of this cobbler (who has now passed on) also has a singer in unbelievable shape...but he's not prepared to part with it yet. If he does I'll pass that info on as I'm sure it will be out of my $ range. 

Thanks so much, Amanda in WV

Edited September 20, 2019 by amandabstewart
Typo

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Original, old stock needles for the Landis #1 are next to impossible to find, but the 331LR needles do fit the machine (kind of).  They are a slightly smaller diameter where they clamp into the needle bar, so they tend to pull out of the machine on heavy work, when you least want them to.  Also, the thread groove is not ground into the needle as far up as the old needles, which limits the capacity of the machine.  If using a needle guide bushing of the correct size with the new stock needles, the thread binds in between the bushing and the top part of the needle and the thread gets snapped off.  Work under a heavy half inch is fine; over that and you'll have to do some modification to the needle.  Also, new needles are available down to 200 size, which means you aren't going to sew fine stuff.  Thread size 277 and up is all most of the shuttles on these Landis #1 machines are capable of holding tension on anyway.  There are a few key places to check for wear. . .needle bar, tension plates, shuttle itself, and basically any pivot point.  The shuttle should have a nice, sharp, well defined point, and there shouldn't be evidence of having the needle smashed to bits on top of it.  The top of the needle plate will give you some insight into how careful of an operator the machine has had as well.  It is careless operation and using these machines dry, that does more way damage than daily use by a conscientious operator.  

[amandabstewart]

Thanks tremendously!

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

You're welcome.  I used Landis #1 machines exclusively for the first 15 years I was in business.  I still keep at least one set up for special jobs.  They are a very simple machine, and unlike most other heavy harness stitchers, are still capable of sewing when 3/4 worn out.  It may not be a tight, pretty stitch, but they will still sew.  A low hours machine, with little wear and set up original needles amd correct size bushings, can produce a finer stitch than any modern day threaded-needle machine.  Keep us updated on how this turns out for you.

 

Edit, Added as an afterthought:. See if you can find the serial number on the machine.  It is usually stamped into the casting to the right of the presser foot bar, on top of the head.  Its not of much importance, but does go some insight into how early or late of a machine it might be.  Around my part of the country, the numbers seem to range from 3000-7000.  Just recently I acquired #149.  That is very early, and did not come from around here.  I got it for the mere fact that it is such an early number.

Edited September 20, 2019 by Big Sioux Saddlery

[amandabstewart]

The book was a 1936 year...will get serial number and report back :-) 

So I guess I'm not crazy for buying this, right?

[MikeRock]

Not crazy at all!!  Best machine going.  Takes a bit longer to make a set of tugs is all. 

God bless

[amandabstewart]

Thanks!

[amandabstewart]

Any thoughts on the champion? Going to take it also (package deal so he doesn't have to move them)

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

1 hour ago, amandabstewart said:

Any thoughts on the champion? Going to take it also (package deal so he doesn't have to move them)

I don't know much about the Champions.  There was a wide throat harness machine, and a narrow throat machine similar to the American Straight Needle, and there may have been others.  They aren't nearly as commonly seen around here.  Parts, if needed will be difficult to find, like most of the other vintage machines.  Hopefully someone else comes along that can tell you more regarding value.

[Wizcrafts]

The problem with buying ancient sewing machines, especially those made for saddlery and harness, is that the companies have been out of business for many decades. Parts and accessories were sold off to dealers many years ago. Thus, if you buy a machine from the turn of the 20th Century and it needs a needle, shuttle, or a critical moving part, it may be made of Unobtanium.