Shoe machines

[kieran_ionescu]

DW and Rick,
I found a machine and am going to roll with the sage advice on this one and get it. Thanks.

John,
Thanks again for the advice.

[johnl]

Today was not bad. Scored a pair of lasting pliars on ebay for less than the cost of a happy meal. 4 awl handles complete, 3 more on lathe now.
John Lewis

[tia_brun]

John I am so jealous about those lasting pliers that was a great deal!!

Dear All,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me which machine they would purchase to get started:
Pfaff 491, Post, Roller foot
Singer 236W125 or 236G120, Post, Roller Foot
Consew 228R-11, Post, Roller Foot
Consew, 206RB-5, Flat

I currently have a Singer 153W102 cylinder machine with a roller foot it's powerful and great but the stitch length will not adjust to lower than .3-.4 cm. It drives me crazy because other than that I love the machine stitch quality and power. I've tried everything to reduce it and even called the guy I purchased it from but now i think that is one of it's refurbishing quarks as I have to adjust that myself with a screwdriver (lol).

Should I just use the one I have and try to reduce the stitch size or just purchase another?

T

[niksag03]

Can someone tell me what machine is this in this link?

http://luxirare.com/make-shoes/

What does it do?

[1947redhed]

That is a Tippmann Boss leather stitcher. No electriciy required so popular to fix harness etc in the field. Avalable on Ebay, at Tandy and directly from Tippmann. Just Google for links.

Alan at Shoeschool.com has perfected a technique for stitching outsoles on one.

Regards.
Georgene

[amuckart]

I'd love to see how someone sews outsoles on one of those Tipmann machines.

Sue, if you're thinking of getting one, be a little wary of the new models. The original Boss had a cast iron body and steel working parts and was nigh indestructible - that was the machine that got the Boss its reputation. New models, though, are aluminium bodied and have cast zinc working parts and I have not heard good things about their reliability. I was recently reading a thread on leatherworker.net about how people had suffered multiple breakages within a couple of months of getting a new one.

[johnl]

I will second the motion to learn how the outsoles are sewed with a Boss.
John Lewis
who has one of the older bosses along with a aerostich)

[jesselee]

All,
I run an old 19th. century McKay stitcher and wonder about the interchangability of newer parts ie. hook, hook release and looping wheel (the correct name escapes me right now). I would like to get a manual for this old stitcher if anyone has one or can make a copy.

Cheers,

JesseLee

[tmattimore]

The looping wheel is called a whirl. the shaft that drives it is called a pinion. I belive all whirls are the same size. I know that USM, OBE, DN, Fallon, Champion, and Landis all use the same. As for your looper and release Champion parts may be your best bet.
Tom

[niksag03]

Has anyone heard of an OMEGA7142 INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH Sewing Machine( LEATHER)?

Would you recommend it?

[jesselee]

Tom,
Thanks, I stayed up working all night and could not remember the name of that danged little gadget. I also believe you are right if memory serves me, about interchangeability. Thanks for the sources.

Cheers,
JesseLee

[1947redhed]

Sue, I checked out the OMEGA7142 INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH Sewing Machine listed on Ebay. Always beware when someone lists a portable machine as
"industrial strength". Industrial machines have huge separate motors on very sturdy tables in order to power through the leather. If you read that Omega listing carefully, you'll see it's rated as "household" and as refurbished. Since it's not a widely well known brand, parts availability might be an issue. At $300, I'd be saving for a used Singer 31-15 with a roller foot. You should be able to find an industrial dealer/service person in the South where you live where a lot of garment construction took place and Singer 31-15's were a factory workhorse. Just my opinion.

[niksag03]

THanks Georgene I will look into the Singer machine...

[niksag03]

Hi again, another question for you guys. What leather type is used for making shoes? What is the highest oz you can go on leather for shoes?

[romango]

Sue,

It's a very good question. I think of it this way (off the top of my head)...

The usual s:

There is upholstery leather (usually) softer and more rubbery.

Garment leather: usually very thin and stretchy.

Shoe upper leather: somewhat more stout - we say "a firm hand".

Saddlery leather: thick veg tanned cow backs and shoulders. Also, used for embossing, painting and other arts. This leather is in the realm of shoe insoles and soles.

Having said this, you can re-purpose the various leathers as your art takes you. For example: a garment leather may be used for shoes by backing it with a more stout liner.

It's a complex landscape where you balance the performance qualities you desire with durability. Not to mention that it is an ever changing world where hormone fed cows do not produce the quality once taken for granted.

Final 2 cents... shop around with various distributors. Find products you like and see what they can do for your art.

- Rick

[niksag03]

Great! Thanks Rick that was helpful and I will look into the different leathers. Now I know what to ask for to see the difference.

[niksag03]

Which of these are great to sew?

Janome TB12 Threadbanger Sewing Machine

Artisan Industrial Leather Sewing Machine
Model 1797AB-LTHR (over $1000)

I see all types of industrial machines big or small and all claims to sew leather, but how thick I am not sure.

[tmattimore]

I would say, for a first machine, to find a 15 class singer such as a 31-15 or a similar one. Easy to maintain, repair and parts are available. You should find one for well under the price of a new artisan. I have never seen a Janome or sewn with one. Google used commercial sewing machine dealers. Try guys like Sloan shoe machinery, Pamco, Lewis Sales etc. If they don't have one they maybe able to steer you in the right direction. Since you are in the south try commercial dealers in atlanta and the coast as they may be selling the remnants of our garment industry. Go for a roller foot at first or a machine that can adapt to one and you will be happy in the long run
Tom

[dearbone]

To all,

I received an email from Mr Stephen O'Ceallaigh who has straight edge and roller edge guide for the junker and RUH SD 28,he also has the machine and other parts & needles,etc.here is the contact number and email. he is based in Toronto.
gml-@sympatico.ca
647 637 5229

I have no personal interest for posting this information.

Nasser

[last_maker]

Does anyone know about roller feet? or where I can get them? I need to sew some leather for a project I am working on.

I have several sewing machines and I would like to attach a roller foot to one of them.

I have three singers, one is a tredel pedal, One nichi, 1 really old hand crank pfaff( which I use for leather) and one other pfaff 130 with the speed control removed , a reall strong runner. if you are not careful you can chop your finger off with this machine with a zip of the needle. It does a faboulous job of sewing a ten foot seam in no time ( before making lasts, I made fine silk wedding gowns). but that is neither here nor there. Most of my machines pre date 1950's. Any way, I would like to find a side rolling roller foot that is usually pictured with leather machines attatchment but I don't know where to look.

Can any one make suggestions,I would greately appreciate it.

Marlietta

http://lastmakingschool.com

[courtney]

I got mine from Bob Kovar 1-866-362-7397.
also, Melanie machine, pilgrim, and I'm sure you could find a bunch more if you search roller presser foot on this forum.

I think it has been asked alot, by me just a few months ago.

Courtney

[guy_shannon]

Hello All.

Does anyone know if there is a roller foot avaliable for a patcher either a singer 29K71 or an Adler 30-1?

Guy

[amuckart]

Hi Guy,

Patchers are walking foot machines that feed by the action of the foot only, they have no under feed so I'm not sure it makes sense to have a roller foot on one.

What are you trying to do with it?

[guy_shannon]

The problem is with the Singer 29k it shuffles more than walks and takes the finish off of fine leathers when I use it. I figured if there was a rolling foot that was around for either machine I would be able to use it and save myself the grief of having to touch up the line of stitching.

[guy_shannon]

Just a little history on the machine I bought it from an upholstery shop for a few hundred dollars and found out they adjusted the needle bar to accomadate a shorter needle and I belive they have found a way to restrict the walking feature so it drags over the surface and doesnt actually lift off the surface.

Guy