Hobbies?

[TDDA]

The overlock machine I use for visible seams has 4 threads :D.

The other machine, I can determine the stitch patterns freely. It works like a normal one, threading, moving the cloth just the stitches can be programmed with the computer like I want them. Like stitching ....FCD....FCD....FCD....FCD.... instead of .........................................


For leather I have an old foot pedal driven Singer from like 1920s. But for thick leather I think you need complete different ones or sew by hand. I have done leather cuffs but driving the needle through 3mm split-leather is maximum and risky. Not sure what leather you want to stich but I guess it's for what you do on your farm, so, heavy duty I guess?

Yeah, the leather stuff probably would be ranch / livestock related.  I've done a tiny bit of hand sewn stuff on things like knife scabbards and a crappy pistol holster I built.  I actually drilled that stuff on my drillpress, and then stitched it with rawhide lacing.  That's pretty crude though.  I'd like to make some nicer stuff.

As for the cloth, I'd like to get good enough to do some things like some of the heavy Cordura weatherproof fabrics.  I bought this Singer (forget the model) and it does all kinds of stuff, including heavy fabric, but for some reason I just cannot keep this thing threaded properly.  It's always something jammin' up or breaking on me.  Eyesight is not the issue for me, it just seems to be a littany of other things.  I get frustrated and quit...and go back to my pencils!  LOL!

Yes drill press. I use metal HHS-G drills for that, I done the big cuff inserts with it too. A few years ago when I did not have the old Singer, I did it like you, drilling and then use a thread needle and pliers and did it by hand. Metal finger caps is a must for that. Of course there are special leather needles for just that, but I went with what I had. 

I did not handle Cordura yet, but if it's similar to heavy duty jeans, forget the normal needles and a standard sewing machine will have a hard time too. Don't forget it's also about transporting the material away from the needle. If that does not work, you're setup for failure / bad results.

With such old sewing machines like the Singer, it's all about the flow. I guess you talk about pedal powered? It takes a while to get into it. Best technique is to putt the whole foot on the pedal and never touch ground with the foot. Press down and let it come up alone by only lifting the foot. Some allow you to bring it up with the foot, by design or accident. They really do not like turning backwards, the threads get tangled up, runs out of the thread guards and so on.

Lol I think we had this exact conversation a while ago, it feels so familiar.