441 Foot Tension Adjustment

[RemingtonSteel]

I have been playing around with the foot tension on my machine trying to get it adjusted correctly.  Currently the presser spring regulator is backed off and is about 41mm or 1 5/8 inch.  If I back it out even more, there will not be enough threads left on the regulator to hold it securely. I just sewed a mock billet tip made of two layers of 7/8 oz + veg tan at over 1/4" thick. Although the presser feet are still leaving marks on the top, they are minimal and I can probably rub them out some if needed.  The bottom on the other hand is a different story. I have the narrow flat throat plate installed, and the leather is being pressed into the throat creating a raised/mounded stitch line.  See photos below:

TOP

 

Bottom

 

The presser feet are the original Ferdoc presser feet from 2000, and have very squared off edges.  The grove edges in the throat plate are also pretty sharp.  Would slightly rounding off the edges of both and polishing help with either of these issues?  I am actually surprised that the piece being sewn is not lifting up off the throat plate on the needle upstroke, given the feet tension is backed off so far. The unit did not come with any feed dogs or throat plates for them. If I purchased a set, would a smooth feed dog help with the issue I am experiencing on the bottom of the piece, or would this still be caused by the needle opening in the feed dog?   Would increasing the Upper feed connection rod from the middle 6 mm foot height position to the 8 mm position take any more pressure off the feet?  I am open to any other suggestions to help eliminate or minimize these problems.

 

[RockyAussie]

From my experience I would firstly grind smooth and polish the sharp edges off of the needle plate. Next check that the feet also don't have any sharp edges on the inside edges in particular but outside edges as well. Setting so that the feet lift barely above the job as they travel is best and should look to be lifting the same hight as they alternate. Putting in a smooth dog foot for some things would be an advantage but more for bulky uneven products. The hole in the dog foot will leave little pop out bumps instead in comparison. grind and polish first the needle plate but don't go extra wide. With regards to the pressure on the feet....you should be ab;e to get your thumbs under the feet and be able to lift them up without too much trouble if set for the type of project shown. Sometimes the shaft can be a little bent or rough and an easier lift on the presser feet can be found by turning the adjuster a 1/4 turn looser or tighter. Push up with your thumbs and see if you can feel any pressure difference. Drop a drop of oil down that hole anyway if you haven't already. Wider top feet as in the original Juki model leave less of an impression in veg leather and therefore more top down foot pressure can be applied with less damage. You may be able to get some wider feet out of China if you can't get what you want after smoothing things out. Let us know how you go.