Chinese Leather Patcher Sewing Machine Review: Singer Model 29K Clone?
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- This is a review of the Chinese-made leather patcher sewing machine that I bought recently from eBay, from an American vendor for $220 + $40 shipping (but may be obtained for as low as $215 total, including shipping from China). I believe this is a modified version of the Singer 29K leather patcher. It is sold in China as a "shoe-repair machine" or "shoe-mending machine" and is widely used by street cobblers in China to repair shoes, handbags and other thick leather/canvass products. Recently, it is available from eBay for purchase from different vendors, some shipped from the U.S. and others shipped directly from China. In the U.K., it is re-branded, beautified and sold as the "Able 290". Some models come with a metal tripod (useful only if you like to squat as you work, like Asian street cobblers). Since mine did not come with a tripod, I made a wooden base for it myself, which works just fine. This video will show you how the machine is treaded and operated. Hope this will help you to decide if you are in the market for an inexpensive "industrial-strength" walking-foot leather sewing machine. A higher-priced alternative would be the Techsew 2900 Patcher ($1900 from Amazon), which appears to be a true clone of the Singer 29K. A used, century-old genuine Singer 29K would run you well above $450, if you can find one.
It is a fun machine if you are patient and take the time to understand just how it all works.
Well explained - thanks. The old Singer patchers are relatively common here in the UK, though their condition is variable, and some are nice, and others need a lot of sorting out!
THANK YOU!! Glad you kept it simple, clear and went over that threading direction. I am definitely getting one of these for my leather hobby business! Probably repaint it and add lots of little arrows to remind me how to keep things going.
I recommend adding a bit of tape to the foot to keep the marks relatively soft if its an issue.
@73Corbin Yes he did - there are several videos on his channel about it if I remember correctly
I forgot how to thread the bobbin on mine and I'm glad I found your video. Thank you!
You made a pretty thorough instructional video of this particular sewing machine. I don't understand who would give the thumbs down. I wish they would comment why.
I've had my Chinese made leather sewing machine since 2013. It's still going strong. I don't use it often, maybe 4 to 5 times a year. But when I do, it works perfectly.
I have made leather and heavy canvas arrow quivers. I've even patched my kids' denim pants with it.
I like the machine as it's very easy to control the stitches and it's multi directional.
I do wish it can be connected to a treadle table.
Have a nice day, from Los Angeles.
+SoCal Skateboards Even I forget sometimes and have to refer back to this video. Thanks for your kind comment. I believe there are people who just go around thumb down everything all the times. I just uploaded a short video about a watch the other day and someone came around and thumb-downed it even before it had 10 views! Beats the hell out of me.
Probably the most simple and capable base.
Thank you for the review, (and pointing out the stitch length adjustment screw - I would never have found it!) It took a couple of hours to sort the shuttle timing out, as it wasn't in place correctly when I unboxed the machine, but is simple enough once you find some instructions on CZcams! It is such a simple machine, but it works really well. I wanted a 29k but as I will only use this for the odd job that can't be done on a freearm or my sailrite clone, I think it is good value for the versatility it offers. A great little machine! Seeing videos of chinese shoe repairmen using this on the street shows the only limitations are going to be my competence now.
I’ve noticed in some videos that the walking foot leaves marks on the leather. This is not acceptable. You should be able to adjust the height/pressure of the foot with the 2 mounting bolts or round the edges of the foot itself. If the arm underneath is smooth it shouldn’t take a lot of pressure to move the leather. Otherwise great video!
Thank God you made this video. I use it to set up my machine all the time...like setting up bobbin etc.
Thank you for making this video...I've been on the fence about buying one ever since I saw it on Ebay...the 29's are difficult to come by, and so heavy. I only need it occasionally, so it scarcely justifies the trouble of the 29. This machine is perfect, and with your good advice, I think it will work for me. Your video is very detailed, and I am so grateful!
It should go thru both tension disc`s under the first then over the top right hand side thru the disc out the left loop over to the to the needle housing .
Think you need to pass the thread through the second tensioner for proper tension. I know it’s hard to film,hold the leather,and turn the wheel all at once. Thanks for the video.
Thanks so much for reviewing this!!! I'd seen them on ebay the past few years, but could never find out much info on them, so I hadn't wanted to spend the money on something I couldn't see in action. Now that I've seen this, I might make the investment! Cheers!
Bk I l up igloo keep Rwanda kook k
It obvious is based on Singer 29. It eliminates the tallow dish because modern shoe sewing threads are pre-waxed. In that sense it is a slight improvement. You will be amazed to see modern copies dutifully reproduce the century-old Singer 29 down to the tallow dish!!
Joe Tsou
Great Video!
I try all kind of threads on the top and after 1 rotation spin it brakes, can you help me please to solve this problem,
Wanted to see one of these machines in action. Thanks for sharing.
You missed running the thread through the second tensioner. Yes, you do need it.
thanks. My bad.
you give the best directions so far. Many Thanks
You are welcome!
Took me a while but I finally got mine working thanks for the guide👍🏽
Thank you yet again for the clear instructions and great camera work regarding threading the bobbin, lol!! Boris should link this video into his instruction set (-:
Thanks or the video. I like to think of it as a good starting point. I have finessed and generally tweaked mine to get it to where I want it to be. Really it's a two person machine, a good cranker is a bonus, leaving two hands to steer and support the work. For the price it's a bargain.
Thank you, saved me alot of time on the set up. T135 thread runs great!
Thank you so much for your review. i just got the machine and my bobbin threading is not quiet working at the time of this comment but hopefully will figure it all out soon and enjoy some future leather projects
These machines are awesome & affordable..!
It's actually a knock off from the Bradbury polytype shoe patch machine.. not the Singer 29K.
Thanks for the helpful video...
Great to know. Thanks for watching.
Thank you so much for this video! I bought one of these machines today and the box was beat up pretty bad. There were no instructions (none that I could use anyway) so this video was very helpful.
I need to figure out how to adjust the tension of the lower bobbin because I would like to use some heavier thread than what the machine came with. I have not used it yet because I'm still figuring out where everything goes and I'd like to make a base like the one you have made.
Thanks again.
wm17959 hello, I'm looking for a similar machine. where did you purchase?
I found it on eBay but as it turned out the seller was in Toronto, very close to where I live. So I just drove there and got it. There are quite a few of these on eBay, new for around $260 Canadian, but i have seen them for less on Aliexpress. Look up cobbler shoe repair machine.
wm17959 thank you for this information. I feel this would have my business even more. Www.etsy.com/shop/hallwayzdesigns
Very good video,, thank you much for taking the time to make it.
Hello, can you pkeade tell me how big of a needle size and how thick thread can you use on these machine.
By the way goid video Thank you
Any updates on this machine? How you found a way to minimize the tracks? How thick can it actually sew? Im seriously looking these at the moment. Thanks for your time and the great video!
Thank you this helped me out with my machine today.
The bobbin winder is a weak link for these machines, But. . . they do sell bobbin winder upgrade kits for it on ebay. They sell spare bobbins, bobbin cases / shuttles, needles , thread ect at Bantam saddle tack web site.
very well presentation, adjusting the tension will be perfect.
Mine keeps breaking the thread I don’t know why. Already cheke the tension and still the same
?
Very nice presentation there. That is an inexpensive versatile machine that could be pressed into most any garment repair or hem situation that one might encounter without having to visit an alteration shop. And yes the 29K inspired this design no doubt however simplified and refined a bit.
+Mike Miller Sounds like coming from someone familiar with the 29K. Thanks for your comment.
goinghomesomeday1
I am glad and you are very welcome.
+rmwtsou I do have a Singer 29K58. They both will do the same thing...sew heavy material and get into tight spots.
+goinghomesomeday1 Tighten the thread tensioner. The one with the coil spring. Not the bobbin thread tensioner.
+goinghomesomeday1 I found my 29K at sewingmachine.com in Atlanta, GA. I was there in person looking for a sewing table and saw the 29K and I put it on lay away. You can find them on ebay but the vendors are usually not willing to ship them. You must drive where ever they are and pick them up. That could be a long ride! I was lucky to find mine where I did. He had two of them but one was sold. When you shop for a 29K try to find a 29K72 or either research which models use the larger bobbin. Stay away from the 29K4 or 29-4. Do your research before buying one. Check out leatherworker.net. They have plenty of good advice and information. Now, if you sew leather or heavy garment material, go slow to avoid overheating the needle. I wouldn't try to sew more than 1/4 inch of leather with any 29K or clone. I haven't done any projects with mine yet, I'm still experimenting with it. It was missing a couple of screws and it took me a while to find a source for them. I had to order them from College Sewing in England. Some spares can be found on ebay however.
Hi my pressure arm doesn't move forward what's wrong
Does anyone know the largest needles this machine takes and what system of needle they use
You saved me so, so much frustration! Thanks buckets!!!!!
It's $115 only.
That presser foot really scratches the heck out of the leather doesn't it. That's too bad cause otherwise it seems like a nice little machine.
+Michael Carlson use tape under it!
Thanks for a very nice review. Please let us know the thickest thread size you can use in it and also, where did you get so many spare bobbins? Thank you!
With some tweaking and slight modifications I was able to fit a size 140/22 needle. Since this machine takes the HAX1, BX1, 130/705H needle class, the size 140/22 was the largest that I can find. This is the flat shank home use "Singer & Brother" style needle. After I made the thread hole slightly larger on the shuttle I can sew size tex 135 thread. Which is fairly heavy. If you want a machine that can sew heavier, the same company makes a flat head version for sewing with some of the heaviest thread you can find.
I remember the blizzard we had in North Carolina lol
Thank you for taking the time and effort to make and post this video. Thumbs up. :) Could you please tell me, could this machine sew through more than the two layers of veg tan that you showed?
I was able to sew through three layers of veg tan like shown with some difficulty. I ended up having to raise the needle bar up about as high as I could with it still being able to form a lock stitch. I believe this is the absolute thickest material capable of this machine. With the thread size maxing out at size tex 135, it's not quite as heavy as you would want for three layers of veg tan. I think, depending on what you are making, you would want something like tex 270 or larger, preferably tex 400 or larger.
Good presentation....quite clear....thank you!
thank you so much for this review. it was really useful. i chanced ipon this machine one ebay. Pretty good budget machine to get for a beginner in leather craft! : )
I bought a machine and how I can regulate to sew thick and thin since the leg is very tight and the stitch is too long
It's amazing what they will make using a Schlitz beer can and a worn out fingernail file as the milling machine. I own a real 29K. But if it works.
Cool story, bro.
very helpful indeed, is there a way to adjust pressure on walking foot
Yes, you can adjust the pressure of the walking foot.
That bobbin Winder are you going to do is put a piece of rubber in a tube around the wheel that you crank and then and then you put that bobbin Winder on that and it'll turn the Bobbin and no problem
Thanks!
thank you for this video :) I just wanted to ask you, did you use a leather sewing needle or one that came with it? Im hoping the stitching holes would be smaller with a needle that is for sewing leather?
I believe it was the needle that came with it.
Ola yo tengo una máquina de esa pero no me quiere coser que pueda hacer xfa
Excelente!
I would like to get a inexpensive one for my purse making. what size of needle can this machine go down to?
this is by far the most useful video I have seen for my machine!! :O I do have a question regarding a screw/bolt that came with my machine; not entirely sure where it goes. I was wondering if you or someone could assist?
It's probably the bolt for holding a spool of thread on top of the machine. I made a simple thread spool holder out of a piece of wood and some weld rod, it works much better. You can also buy these from most sewing shops for about $15-20 or Amazon for $10.
The thing you said isn't needed, looks like a string tensioner.
Hola compré una hace poco pero el pie no transporta me podrías dar un consejo gracias
Wow ur Chinese pronunciation is so great
You look rich - what r u doing with a sweing machine ? Specially a Chinese one !
I guess because of that he is a wealthy man, knowing how to save money and getting to know how things work. But to be quite honest I inquire exactly the same :) Regards from Beanerland
Cool video and great tutorial.
Thanks for the video, very informative. Have you used it much and what is your opinion of the machine now?
Actually, I have not used it at all since I made the video and my opinion of it hasn't changed. It definitely does the job of sewing leather as you can see.
Здравствуйте!Меня зовут Василием.Я живу В России,в Сибири,Алтайский край.Вопрос.Почему я не увидел густой смазки в маховике швейной машине?Нужна густая смазка типа "Литола".Тогда будет легче крутить вал маховика и не будет большого износа.Спасибо.С уважением.
Thank you for the video. What do you make with the machine? Is it limited to shoes or can you do belts and other items with it?
You can patch shirt sleeves, paints knees, belts, any thing any other sewing machine can do. But it likes heavy stuff better
Can u demonstrate how to patch a real shoe
Hi, I have the machine, but can't find the spare parts, and manual kit. Could you help me with this problem ? Thank You
You won't find parts or support, either. The Chinese simply want people to buy these machines, they don't care about product support, they already have your wasted money.
This machine is a crude reproduction of the Bradbury shoe patch machine. Not the Singer 29 series
It lasts forever and doesn't break or hang up. It also works beautifully. There are people who pine after $1000 singers and what have you then cry that the hobby is too inaccessible.
I believe it is a copy of a British "Bradbury" machine. I quite like the look of these though may look at making one.
These are not known to be easy on the eye.
@@rmwtsou Not sure I'd agree with that. I have a couple of videos of machines of a similar age on my youtube channel and I like the look of them :)
@@BensWorkshop Beauty is certainly in the eyes of the beholder and the beauty of this machine, for me at least, is mostly in its simplicity, function and durability. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Come posso utilizzare un filo più largo? grazie
I need some advice. I wrote you earlier but now I have a problem. I took the bobbin and bobbin holder out of the machine and now I don't know the correct orientation. Can you advise how this should go in? It has a gear on the bottom but it has to be locked into the moving shaft at just the right location, and I don't know what that is. Please advise, thanks.
Difficult for me to explain as I am not an expert. When I made this video, I thought I showed it pretty clearly how to thread and place the bobbin. I have not touched the machine since.
rmwtsou It's not actually the bobbin I was confused about. You did explain that part in the video. I took out the part under the bobbin called the shuttle, and if it's not put in just right the machine won't work. But since writing to you I found a Facebook page where I got the answer. It's a company in Australia that sells these machines and they explain it on their page. You can find it by looking up Able 290
Thanks again.
wm17959 I am glad you found the answer that you were searching for.
wm17959
I have the same problem with the bobbin shuttle position. Also the thread is pooling underneath the stitched fabric. I looked up Able 290 on facebook and could not see the bobbin shuttle info that you mentioned. Could you provide a direct link or copy the info.
Chay Granger Hi Chay
Here's a link to the info you need. I hope this helps
facebook.com/AnneBonnysLocker/photos/pb.111500946579.-2207520000.1423787141./10151444320611580/?type=1&theater
How do I even take out the bobbin
excellent
NOT A SINGER 29-4 CLONE. CLOSER TO THE OLD BRADBURY AND DURKOPP LINES.
Nice!
Do they have a maintenance manual for this machine and instructions on how to put it together?
+Janice Johnson I don't quite remember but I am pretty sure it did. It was pretty self-explanatory. I have not used this machine since I filmed this.
thanks, I actually figured it out just from your video. Have a great week.
What did you use to get rid of the oil and grease?
Good ol' fashioned elbow grease.
謝謝你詳盡的講解, Thank you!!!
You are welcome!
This is helpful
Where to but?
I´m in Mexico, you can get helps us get machine like that, there they ask you to pay firsta and end the stealing.
I urgently need a machine like that. could help me to get it, please.
carlos hernandez hola no te recomiendo esta maquina de coser yo compre una y no funciona bien sale 179 usd pero pensalo bienn si tu sabs como ajustar la bobina tal ves te sirva yo intente pero no funciona , si sabe como escribime a mi mail hernanchess2000@yahoo.com.ar y te digo donde comprar si me ayudas a solucionarlo
please.send me the link of eBay or other buy link. thanx my friend
Can you send pics of setup ?
I'm north of Billings 240 miles. This is gonna suck
Till I noticed the video was from 2014 duh.
@@bryanlawless1858 Ha ha. Should have known when you saw Brian William's gave the news. How long has been out now?
@@rmwtsou I should be a detective. Nothing gets by me. haha.
More like a clone of the Bradbury A1 Repairing Machine from the 1870s.
$161 from Amazon currently
Getting one very very soon at $135 also on Amazon 5 left !!
moonolyth ...$200, now on Amazon.....$285.00 on E-Bay...
@@halojump123 banggood at under $140.
Cuanto cuesta en pesos mexicanos
donde encuentro esa espectacular maquina
En eBay. Buscar bajo "shoe repair machine".
Why does that machine looks like it was made in 16th century?
To make it simple and cheap
Its manual
olá amigo ! qual o valor $ ??
tem pra vender ?
En Amazon cuestan 3700 pesos mexicanos mas 200 pesos de envío mas menos
I am from Nepal can I Nepal avaliable
Me interesa me podría dar información
just looking other vyoutube video were same machine say have 115$ only. problem have only how orden to thailand, amamzon not delivere to out of idiot land usa anythink. 100 $ this can pay but no newer 200$ or more.
New to this machine thread keeps snapping any ideas plz
You are either using too thick of thread for the needle you have or the shuttle is not in the right placement. Check your thread size and timing. This helped me.
Can you backstitch
Daniel Minamore if its like any other patcher, you spin the head 180° and go back over your last stitches to backstitch
The foot marks the leather.
i can tell from your accent that you are american chinese or PRC living in america. : )
Most crude machine on the market: Cobbled together for wanna'be COBBLERS a true wiggle - wobble one on one stitch at a time monstrosity. You should add a flywheel to the back on the main crankshaft stub: It will help PLUNGE The NEEDLE Thru heavy material and avoid bending the needle, I bought 40 of these from a respectable leather shop that was stuck with them. $25 apiece, Nice thing is they can be clearance for size 22 class 15 cheap anywhere needles. I also Lapp my own Diamond point needles (From cheap round point Organ Brand Needles), saves big bucks, threading the needle bar I up the hook and PULL THREAD DOWN no frustration works everytime.. Those crude tension disc assembly's I replaced with an $11.00 duplex unit from Terrys sewing. I set five of them up on reversed Bicycle exercise machines and( it put me facing the end of the machine while pedaling & maneuvering material or turning the presser foot guide handles) when peddling toward the Flywheel end/plus I can still reach the knob (I put a real non-binding knob on the flywheel) on the Flywheel for HAR-Har Shaking the shuttle to release thread before removing completed work less bending the needle.. It's a copy and a very crude copy at best with mod's of the BRADBURY.I built a few nice narrow Right Angle wall mount brackets that fold out of the way when not in use. Then I cover them up to avoid my peers laughing about the Watch ah ma callit thing over there!!! I did stuff some GREENn in my pockets by adding some GREY MATTER to the CRITTERS!!
CMVHighPriest
Don't know where your from But I lived in Santa Cruz Cali. most my life.. That weather is most common there, So Sad to have left my country to live in the pit of Georgia. Almost the birth of segregation and slavery. ...............
Wow very crude laith work like scratching with a file Hah !
But Hey, if it works I'm getting one !!! At $135+shipping.. Tonight ! Just Don't tell the wife.
Looks like very much room to clean up the edges perhaps add berings if needed. It looks like it will hold up just fine if it is working when received. I'm excited.. leather is kind of expensive for me but I can find lots of uses over the years with this... I picked up a Pfaff 130 some time ago great deal, love it !! but don't want to bust it using to plow through the heavy stuff. Any way enjoy your weather, don't take it for granted and thanks !
อยากรู้เบอร์โทรศัพท์ ติดต่อ
THE COBBLER STARRING ADAM SANDLER WATCH THE MOVIE.
Huh? Simple and clear? Not for me..!
The machine looks as rough as hell.
Yes, rough as hell and butt ugly too, but I dare you to find one like it that works half as well at sewing leather, lasts forever and so cheaply priced. Also, you will find these machines in the hands of Asian street cobblers who depend on them for their livelihood. To them, beauty is of somewhat lesser concern.
I guess the proof of the pudding is in the eating - if they work well then they are an excellent investment.
What poor metal craftsmanship--even if the machine works well. The presser foot seems to leave a lot of impressions on the leather.
Mark Lee I suppose the Chinese street cobblers don't really care about aesthetics that much. As long as it works and that it is cheap, it is good.
So very true and that may be how most people who want to work with leather cheaply may see it. Still, this is a new age and when items are posted on sites like Alibaba, Amazon and eBay, then the market is not merely the street cobbler in China. That said, I'd buy one.
Mark Lee most expensive patchers I've used, singer, adler, etc leave footmarks too especially on veg tanned, chrome leather doesn't hold the impressions long. It may look rough but for the price, I don't think aesthetics figured into it. I'd love to get another 29k or adler, but finding a decent one under $500 is rare. For $140 shipped its worth a try, heck youd prob get $40 back in scrap if it doesn't work.
stitched look ugly, better off learning to saddle stitch by hand.
Too old
Junk machines, folks. There is no cheap way to get professional results..hand stitching is better than this garbage. I know from having owned one and felt good about it hitting the garbage can. I bought a good quality machine and haven't looked back.
Check out my hand stitching: czcams.com/video/uYSIst3LnoQ/video.html
//...中国口音太重了...伙计.!!!...
至少會講英文
//...是南翔学的英文吧...还有,你那手摇的"恐龙机".鬼老会要吗(太粗糙了).???...
我住美國已經50年了. 什麼叫"鬼老"? 為什麼出口就罵人? 父母怎麼教的?
//...with all due respect Sir.!!!...you are too sensitive.!!!...living in USA 50 years, where's the sense of humor...But I still think you come from "南翔" School...
Melita.guiero..unamaguina