dikman Report post Posted January 1, 2020 It's finally cooled off enough to spend time in my sewing machine shed (it was getting up to 47*C at one stage, not good for me!). As some will be aware I had issues with the incorrect assembly of the lifting rod which caused it to jam when using the foot lifter. Today, while checking it over I realised I only had 10mm under the foot with a manual lift and 15mm with the foot lifter, not the 13/20 I should have. After going over all the linkages and finding no adjustments I released the presser spring and using a 13mm drill bit for a gauge under the feet I released the clamp screws on the presser bar and with the manual lift engaged readjusted the linkage position on the bar. It took a couple of tries to get it aligned correctly but now I have the correct lifting clearances. I realise now that my problem is that being a Cowboy, and supposedly being a better quality build, I had assumed that the basic adjustments would have been set before leaving the factory, but in the case of this machine because it was incorrectly assembled no-one bothered to check it and it was adjusted according to the faulty assembly. A little disappointing, I wonder if their quality control is slipping. And yes, I know a dealer would have caught this IF it was assembled as a package on a table but that's not how I bought it so I'm not blaming the dealer. Fortunately, thanks to this great site and my subsequent experience with other machines this was an easy fix once I accepted that the quality control was suspect. An interesting difference, compared to a Juki, is the foot lifting system. The way this is designed it is impossible to get more than 20mm lift using the foot lifter, even though the feet have enough travel to clear 25mm - I assume all clones are probably the same. The parts around the lifting crank are different to the Juki and have a built-in stop which prevents any lifting past 20mm. I'm just a bit perplexed why anyone would bother to re-design this, given that it's supposed to be a clone? Never mind, it's all good fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 1, 2020 I think that if the feet lifted any higher the needle bar would bottom out on them at anything more than 20 or 22mm from memory. That could be a real disaster with a servo motor driving I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted January 1, 2020 That makes sense, it just strikes me as odd that Juki, what you might call an A-grade designer/manufacturer, wouldn't allow for this but a clone manufacturer does? A bit odd. I'll have a look at it again from that perspective. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted January 1, 2020 (edited) I only have an outside view and don´t know what kind of arrangement you have with the dealer but I somehow would be kinda pissed when I read about all the issues and lesser foot lift an d stuff - even at the lower / fair price you paid. Do you updated the dealer with the issues you have? Again - just my outside view... Edited January 1, 2020 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert51 Report post Posted January 1, 2020 I realise that they maybe new to this and have only recently taken on the dealership, but is this not what you paid for? I thought you would get a machine that had been setup tested and should be working perfectly, repacked and shipped to you and not you having to do the trouble shooting and adjusting as you have. All you should have to do is remove the thread that was left to show you correct threading, load your bobbin and start sewing. This only my opinion. Bert. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted January 1, 2020 Glad to hear the temperature is decreasing slightly. I do agree with Bert51. What is the "dealer" saying / doing about the problems you are having to solve, are they going to do something / anything? It is lucky that you are apt at solving and fixing the problems related to quality control something the "dealer" should have done. If you were an average or newbie not around the corner from a repair shop, you would be really peeved and maybe have a pretty boat anchor. Your experience does show that a dealer who goes over and sets up their product is crucial to customer satisfaction / retention / recommendation. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted January 1, 2020 kgg, Summer has only just started so unfortunately it's going to get hotter. Given that half of Australia appears to be on fire at the moment it's not a good start. I have spoken to the dealer, although not about the out-of-adjustment issue because I only just became aware of that. They are aware of this forum as RockyAussie (Brian) suggested it to them as a valuable source of information and they have seen my posts. They face a steep learning curve and I guess this has demonstrated that not completely checking a machine first, before shipping, could be a problem because not every buyer will be capable of resolving such issues. Bert, you're probably right (even my cheap Chinese shoe patcher came threaded with a test sewn piece ) and I dare say that's what they'll do in future. At the end of the day this has been a minor inconvenience and I still have a very nice (working) machine. Taking over a business like this in Australia would have been a pretty daunting decision and I admire them for doing it (I think we'll all agree that industrial sewing machines is a pretty specialised area to work in!). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 1, 2020 5 minutes ago, dikman said: Given that half of Australia appears to be on fire at the moment it's not a good start. That is all I was doing on Tuesday, running back and forth madly filling up 2 water fire extinguishes putting out a neighbours bush fire. At the end of the day when the owners relative showed up I was rewarded by being given another 3 water type extinguishers to keep. He was a fire fighter for 30+ years. Although around 20 acres went up we managed to stop it well short of their house.By the time the fire brigade got there one of my workers and I had most of it beat. I really have to say that the extra manoeuvring that these portable extinguishes give running through the bush should not be underestimated. Even after the fire fighters showed up I was able to get around and extinguish fires that their hoses were sitting in after they had dragged them out to their full lengths. If you live in a bush area I recommend having a few on hand and ready to go. Learn the refill procedure to minimise time lost at that stage as well. I will be buying a few more of them I think as the 100+ acres I have has 1/3 of it covered by an area that I can not clean up without notifying the government my intention to do so including having to supply GPS maps and pictures etc. BIG penalties if you do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted January 1, 2020 My heart goes out to those being affected by the fires. Unimaginable devastation. Be careful and be safe. Known when to say when. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
480volt Report post Posted January 2, 2020 57 minutes ago, RockyAussie said: That is all I was doing on Tuesday, running back and forth madly filling up 2 water fire extinguishes putting out a neighbours bush fire. At the end of the day when the owners relative showed up I was rewarded by being given another 3 water type extinguishers to keep. He was a fire fighter for 30+ years. Although around 20 acres went up we managed to stop it well short of their house.By the time the fire brigade got there one of my workers and I had most of it beat. I really have to say that the extra manoeuvring that these portable extinguishes give running through the bush should not be underestimated. Even after the fire fighters showed up I was able to get around and extinguish fires that their hoses were sitting in after they had dragged them out to their full lengths. If you live in a bush area I recommend having a few on hand and ready to go. Learn the refill procedure to minimise time lost at that stage as well. I will be buying a few more of them I think as the 100+ acres I have has 1/3 of it covered by an area that I can not clean up without notifying the government my intention to do so including having to supply GPS maps and pictures etc. BIG penalties if you do. I’m sure it’s the same in Australia, but in Northern California, you’ll see clapped out old water trucks parked on ag property, never to be used on the road again, but capable of delivering pressurized water after the power fails. Might at least be able to keep your roof wet or refill your extinguishers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert51 Report post Posted January 2, 2020 Sadly, I heard this morning another fire fighter has died yesterday and fire has claimed quiet a few properties from dry lightening a couple hundred Ks from me and they are forecasting 40°C plus for the next few days. I pray no more lives are lost and we get some rain over the weekend, but I am not very confident that both will happen. It sounds like you are well prepared Brian, I wish more where like you. Bert. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 2, 2020 18 minutes ago, Bert51 said: get some rain over the weekend Not sure what that stuff looks like any more. For any of you owners with these big sewing machines have a think about how you could make up a heavy leather harness strap attachment to go onto these large water extinguishers. Something that attaches onto the wall hanging thingy. They get pretty heavy when your trying to carry 2 at a time. Something that can go over the shoulder sort of thing would be nice 25 minutes ago, Bert51 said: It sounds like you are well prepared Brian, I wish more where like you. . Still working on getting better at that yet. I really would like some way of filling the air up into the extinguishers from my car but at 90 to 100 psi I am not sure how hard that would be yet. Extra water in Gerry cans is easy though. Sorry I seemed to have somewhat hijacked the thread @dikman . If I can find a bit more time I will think of a way to start a new post on this subject. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted January 2, 2020 That's ok Brian, I'm a serial offender when it comes to hijacking threads! I actually have one of those fire extinguishers, which I'd forgotten all about. Better dig it out, I think. As for clearing your land, the Greenies have a lot to answer for. We are reaping the results of a few years of minimal, if any, backburning and clearing. This is what happens if we don't keep clearing the undergrowth!!!! Glad you're ok. Back on subject, you were right about the needle bar, when the feet are at max lift with the foot lifter the needle bar just clears the feet. I wound a few bobbins this morning and gave it a quick try on some scrap leather before it started getting too warm. #277 and #25 needle, just under 3/4" of old leather belts, went through like it wasn't there. Impressive. I then tried 1/4" of leather, with no other adjustments, and it sewed beautifully. Can't ask for more than that, I reckon. The thread takeup spring was making some funny noises (hitting the backstop when it was released) so might need a bit of tweaking. Other than that it's looking good. Me happy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert51 Report post Posted January 2, 2020 If you are any like me, when I got my Adler 105-6, I pushed any thing that fitted under the feet through, just to see how well it did it. Enjoy, play with it, changing needle sizes and leather thickness and tensions, as that was the hardest thing I found. Bert. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 2, 2020 On behalf of the staff and membership of Leatherworker.net, I pray for the safety and security of our Australian members from the wild fires and heat in progress. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted January 2, 2020 (edited) Just wondering - is there no international help for fighting the fires in Australia? I know A is in the middle of the pacific but still... Maybe Japan or South Korea? For sure a challenge to bring in water bombers but come on.... really no one? At least I have not here of any international help. EDIT: Just figured that Canada sent 21 Firemen - not much intl. help though. Edited January 2, 2020 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted January 2, 2020 Wiz, thank you very much for your thoughts. Constab, a contingent of firefighters from the US has just flown in, but I've never heard of any water bombers being made available from anywhere else. Each fire season there are a few of those big Sikorsky helicopter water bombers sent down here (we hire them for the season) but under conditions like we're experiencing now there's never enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert51 Report post Posted January 2, 2020 Thank you Good Forum Lister's, your thoughts are appreciated. sorry for continuing the hi-jack on this post. Some one on the news tonight said there are some still available for hire in the US, but if they where to get them, they may arrive to late. We are to get low 40's°C tomorrow and mid 40's °C on Saturday, with the winds forecast before the storm, I think the fire fighters will be in for a harder time, if it is possible them what they have now. I hope my thoughts and prayers are of some help. Bert. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted January 2, 2020 6 hours ago, Constabulary said: Just figured that Canada sent 21 Firemen During our summers in 2017 and 2018 Aussie firefighters were here in British Columbia during BC's serious fires to assist. Several groups from Canada are reciprocating. More are on their way now. Just a couple news stories about supporting the Aussies. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/canadians-australia-fires-1.5406295 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/canadian-firefighters-australia-wildfires-1.5410727 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-dozens-of-canadian-fire-fighting-experts-on-ground-in-australia/ My wife's family is from Australia, so have many relatives there. Most of them are not in threatened areas, but are subject to the smoke and ash. Praying for all. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
