Curved needle

Share secrets, compare techniques, discuss the merits of materials--eg. veg vs. chrome--and above all, seek knowledge.
Post Reply
Message
Author
chris trujillo

Re: Curved needle

#101 Post by chris trujillo »

Thanks for all the information you given me PK.I am always thank full to any one who takes time to try to help me .So till we talk again have a great day Chris
paul
8
8
Posts: 1038
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:00 am
Full Name: Paul Krause
Location: Prescott, Arizona, USA
Been Liked: 14 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#102 Post by paul »

De nada, Amigo.

PK
Harry Knipe

Re: Curved needle

#103 Post by Harry Knipe »

Am wondering if anyone knows where I might find info on the operation and maintainance of a Landis 1520L line finisher...any help would be greatly appreciated. Didn't know where else to go for help. I do also have a Landis K so I was on here getting info for that and got some really good info. Thanks, HK
User avatar
dw
Seanchaidh
Posts: 5830
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 1997 10:00 am
Full Name: DWFII
Location: Redmond, OR
Has Liked: 204 times
Been Liked: 122 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#104 Post by dw »

Harry,

Welcome to the Crispin Colloquy.

I don't believe I've ever seen a manual for a finisher although I'm sure they exist.

Lot of what I know about finishers comes from several decades of experience. What kind of help do you need?

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC
erickgeer

Re: Curved needle

#105 Post by erickgeer »

Anyone,

Can someone tell me how to replace the wax strippers on my K? I've gone through all of my manuals, parts lists and did colloquy and net searches with no luck.

I have replacement strippers, but I can't figure out how the thread goes through. I've taken the cap off, pulled out the thread and removed the old stripper. The replacements don't seem to have a hole, and the old one seems like it would be very hard to rethread. I am wondering if the thread goes around the stripper rather than through....

Any help would be great.

Erick
walrus
3
3
Posts: 115
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:00 pm
Full Name: Larry Waller
Location: Delavan, Wisconsin, USA
Been Liked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#106 Post by walrus »

Erick
Take an old needle from the machine and push it through the hole in the stripper and hook the thread on the hook and pull the needle back out with a pair of pliers and wala you have the thread through the stripper . I hope thats what you wanted to know .
Larry waller
WWW.walrusshoe.com
erickgeer

Re: Curved needle

#107 Post by erickgeer »

Larry,

Thank you so much- I'll give it a try on Monday.

Erick
danfreeman
3
3
Posts: 130
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:00 am
Full Name: Dan Freeman

Re: Curved needle

#108 Post by danfreeman »

Larry,
Isn't that spelled "v'wala?" Erick: The rubber strippers I've bought from Frankford Leather had holes through them, easily threaded with a needle, or, better, a wire bristle. My trouble is that they leave too much wax on the thread, though the mess can be cleaned up or avoided--yes, even on suede uppers. As soon as I tighten the adjusting nut a fraction of a turn, however, the tension becomes too tight to sew. Maybe newer ones would work better: rubber gets hard with age. You might try Frankford in Phila. I am afraid I'll hear they are no longer available next time I ask, and am thinking about black rubber lab-type stoppers, if they are made small enough.
If yours are truly without aperatures, you must make one: I'm thinking hot needles or tiny drills.
erickgeer

Re: Curved needle

#109 Post by erickgeer »

I thought it was strange that it wasn't pre-holed.

Dan,

Hearing your thoughts, I wonder if it would be worthwhile to punch a plug of neoprene, or do you think it would break down too fast?

On another note, I have been thinking about the pros and cons of using different size threads for bobbin and "upper" threads- I've heard some people swear by using same size and some a different size. Does anyone know the reasons for one way vs. the other- other than personal preference?

I'm being called away from the computer.

'night

Erick
danfreeman
3
3
Posts: 130
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:00 am
Full Name: Dan Freeman

Re: Curved needle

#110 Post by danfreeman »

I think neoprene is what's used to make the wax strippers; like many other resources, we may have to start making what we once could buy. That would not be so bad in some ways, but carried too far, and we'd be back in Williamsburg, no offense to Al, Peter Oakley, or others.

Sometimes it's better to use lighter thread in the bobbin, but it's never needed, and doesn't make seams stronger. Sometimes you get a tighter, better-looking topstitch this way, depending on material and needle, too. The only reason that makes even some sense is that the upper thread works so much harder than the bobbin thread, that by the time the seam is sewn and the thread in the material, the upper thread is weaker than the bobbin; therefore, weaker bobbin thread equalizes the strength of the seam. The idea is, the bobbin thread has just spooled off; the upper thread has passed through the needle many times, 20 or more, doubling through the needle and take-up lever each time, and sustaining considerable wear.

Naturally, when sewing a closed seam (inside-out, then turned), a weaker bobbin thread is an unwise choice.
danfreeman
3
3
Posts: 130
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:00 am
Full Name: Dan Freeman

Re: Curved needle

#111 Post by danfreeman »

I forgot the most obvious: the topstitching is exposed to the elements; the bobbin stitches are usually safely inside, next to the lining. This could allow you to use a lighter thread in the bobbin.
telong2001

Re: Curved needle

#112 Post by telong2001 »

May I get some guidance on threading my Landis K? The machine is new to me. I got it from Melanie Machine and it worked great in the warehouse of course. It was shipped a week or so ago and I'm getting the bugs worked out. Or, more accurrately the machine is working the bugs out of me.

I replaced the needle tonight. I am not sure I have installed the needle correctly. Is it supposed to be threaded through the guide or holder? You can see it in the pics. I did adjust the needle where it would drop in the needle plate, pick up the lower thread, pick up and the upper bobbin hook catches it. Then..the needle drags the thread through the little guide. Clearly I've got this all wrong.

I did go through all of the archives here and was able to benefit from some of the exchange, especially the oiling diagram/pic.

I appreciate you kind folks sharing and guiding me through this. In return I humbley offer pics of my 4th pair of boots. The top is a waxy, stretchy upholstery leather and the bottom is cognac ostrich. Getting a little better but need a few more hundred pair under my belt.

Thank you folks in advance.
Terri Courtney
telong2001

Re: Curved needle

#113 Post by telong2001 »

I'm having trouble with uploading and have asked Admin/Dw to upload the email I sent with pics that go with the post. Sorry.
tmattimore
5
5
Posts: 206
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:00 am
Full Name: Tom Mattimore

Re: Curved needle

#114 Post by tmattimore »

Assuming the machine sewed when you got it and that you did not move the needle guide then there are two choices. 1 the needle is too high 2 the thread lifter is not pulling the thread clear of the needle and it is draging the thread into the needle guide. I would check the lifter first. before you loosen it rotate by hand and see how close it is to the needle on the way up, it needs to be remarkably close, It needs to lift the thread out of the barb cleanly with out fraying and still let the shuttle hook catch the loop.
tom
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 428
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 10:00 am
Full Name: Admin
Has Liked: 1 time
Been Liked: 5 times

Re: Curved needle

#115 Post by admin »

This is the most critical photo of the sequence, in my opinion. It shows the cycle after the bobbin hook has failed to open the loop and lift it from the needle/hook.
5082.jpg



This is almost always due to the "needle" having been mounted too high. Tom mentions this in his post above.

Additionally, if the awl was not changed, positioning the needle is made simple by the fact that as the awl withdraws through the material, the hook (needle) must be in very close proximity. In other words there shouldn't be any more daylight between the awl and the hook than necessary to prevent a collision.

Beyond that, you just have to lower the hook a little.

Cycle the machine with no material under the presser foot. Examine the way in which the parts operate together. It will become clear what is needed very quickly. It's pretty simple really.

Emmett
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
tmattimore
5
5
Posts: 206
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:00 am
Full Name: Tom Mattimore

Re: Curved needle

#116 Post by tmattimore »

That pic shows it all. It is also the cleanest machine I have seen in a while. Pilgrim sells a book for landis (actually a reprint xerox) for a rule of thumb I put the needle about the thickness of my thumbnail above the awl. Also every now and then squirt a little oil behind the plate that holds the needle guide.
User avatar
dw
Seanchaidh
Posts: 5830
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 1997 10:00 am
Full Name: DWFII
Location: Redmond, OR
Has Liked: 204 times
Been Liked: 122 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#117 Post by dw »

There is also an operator's manual for the landis Curved Needle machine on my webpage http://www.bootmaker.com/manuals.htm in pdf format that can be downloaded.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC
paul
8
8
Posts: 1038
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:00 am
Full Name: Paul Krause
Location: Prescott, Arizona, USA
Been Liked: 14 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#118 Post by paul »

Do any of you use a bleach mixture of any sort, to clean the wax and such off of your white sole stitches during the final clean and polish?
I've done so on repairs, but I'm not so sure I want to on a new pair of boots.

TIA,
Paul
User avatar
dw
Seanchaidh
Posts: 5830
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 1997 10:00 am
Full Name: DWFII
Location: Redmond, OR
Has Liked: 204 times
Been Liked: 122 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#119 Post by dw »

Paul,

I can't help you if only because I've never given it a second though (maybe I should). But I will ask...what are you using for thread and what are you using for "bleach" in your repair work?


Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC
paul
8
8
Posts: 1038
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:00 am
Full Name: Paul Krause
Location: Prescott, Arizona, USA
Been Liked: 14 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#120 Post by paul »

I'm using Synthetic 6 1/2 cord. It was many years agon, but I think we just mixed up a diluted mixture of bleach and used an old toothbrush.

I'm thinking, with the new products on the market, there might be something a little milder to clean them with.

A few times when I was at Galco, doing holsters with veg tanned leather, I made a diluted mixture like that to clean spots. It worked, but left the leather kinda slimey. But that was usually after the holster had been oiled. We used oxalic cid the clean them when they needed it, before oiling.

I've used pure lemon juice to clean my carving leather projects. Maybe I'll try that. It's plenty mild enough.

PK
User avatar
dw
Seanchaidh
Posts: 5830
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 1997 10:00 am
Full Name: DWFII
Location: Redmond, OR
Has Liked: 204 times
Been Liked: 122 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#121 Post by dw »

Paul,

So is it the thread you want to bleach or the welt? I wouldn't think that bleach or lemon juice would have much affect on dacron or synthetic thread. But like I said, I've never tried it and never given it much thought.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC
shoestring

Re: Curved needle

#122 Post by shoestring »

PK,
Have you given any though to using Oxie-all,or read the contents of a white wall(car tire) cleaner,and what about non-chlorine bleach.Just my dimes worth.

Ed
User avatar
romango
8
8
Posts: 854
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:40 pm
Full Name: Rick Roman
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Been Liked: 8 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#123 Post by romango »

I have been fooling with my acquired 12-K for a couple of months now, getting it ready to stitch. I have a question about part 'a' in the pictures below. When stitching, does this ride along the top of the sole or along the edge of the sole/welt?

if along the edge, is its function to control the distance of the stitches from the edge? I note that it moves sideways when the awl moves sideways but it has no teeth (at least mine doesn't) so it seems it would be little help moving the shoe along.

In the first picture, it is right under the presser foot 'b'. In the second, it is pulled back (presser foot raised). In this position, if the presser foot is let down, the channel knife 'c' hits the stitch table (when there is no leather there). This seems bad.

Any help in understanding the position, function or even name of this part would be appreciated.
5546.jpg

5547.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
romango
8
8
Posts: 854
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:40 pm
Full Name: Rick Roman
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Been Liked: 8 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#124 Post by romango »

sorry, I meant 'does this ride along the top of the welt' (not sole) in the third sentence above.

Also, if it does ride along the top of the welt, why is it so adjustable front to back. Seems like the only position would be right below the presser foot.
paul
8
8
Posts: 1038
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:00 am
Full Name: Paul Krause
Location: Prescott, Arizona, USA
Been Liked: 14 times
Contact:

Re: Curved needle

#125 Post by paul »

Rick,

I do not pretend to be a machine expert. I get by, and thankfully my machines cooperate. (He said while crossing his fingers)

But to answer your first question, "a", the fence, controls the distance of your stitch from the edge, just as you supposed. The awl and needle moving to the left are what move the material along.

However I notice something about your groover, "c". It looks to be upside down and backwards. (I thought only I could do that!)

Try taking the groover out and turn it over, end for end. The other end should be pointed and positioned with the "blade" pointing to the right. That should set the point of the groover down into the leather, and as it feeds to the left, it will cut a groove ahead of the stitch. It will also postion the end of the groover in the cut out of your needle plate, so that it't won't hit when no leather is in it. (I don't think it's properly called a needle plate on curved needle machines, but I think you get the idea of which part I'm refering to, the one with the oblong hole.) It should be no more than about 1/16" to 3/32" deep, to cut a groove in your sole to hide the stitch.

Good luck,

PK
Post Reply