Help needed with hand crank cobbler machine!

[Frodo]

2 hours ago, Frodo said:

correction.  

if the top stitch is loose, it is the bobbin tension that needs adjustment

if the bottom stitch is loose it is the  top thread tension that needs adjustment  

[Bigsasquatch]

On 1/21/2021 at 6:51 PM, Squid61 said:

I am deeply grateful for this thread.  I played with idea of getting one of the green monsters but now there isn't a chance.

I just purchased one of these and while they do come pretty rough, if you take the time to polish and knock down the rough spots it makes for a pretty great little sewing machine. Especially if you're like me and don't have the money to drop 1500 dollars on a dedicated sewing machine. Mainely Acres on YouTube was the channel I found most helpful in getting mine polished up and the timing correct to sew without breaking my thread. The only thing that might present a problem is getting the bearings out of the frame if you was to upgrade those. Mine came with an unsealed bearing that I wanted to change to a sealed bearing. I had to purchase a puller to get the bearing out but that was really the only problem I ran into. The rest was achievable with a little elbow grease and a Dremel. 

[Squid61]

I can appreciate that, for $100 and some change, one can get a machine to stitch leather, somewhat.  I can't afford a real leather sewing machine but I'm pretty good at hand stitching and I don't need yet another project that may or may not result in the desired result.  Most everything I've read about these tells me they are  pain in the butt, endless tinker project.

[PastorBob]

I have tried for several years to get mine working to no avail.  Sitting off to the side now.  Any takers for $75 with shipping included?

[Doc1864]

I have the green cobbler sewing machine but hand crank won’t go all the way around