r.steph Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 i have a problem with a stitcher that i want to sell,however i cant get the stitch tension right.it worked fine until the thread broke at the rear of the machine.im sure its to do with the thread setup.has anyone got a similar stitcher and can tell me the method of threading.i enclose a photo.thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 what you have is called a Simplex and the threading is a bit fiddly as well as the tension. this model is obsolete and has been for some years so parts availability is virtually nil. without being too rude we would only throw this in the skip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 so its a bit fiddly if it threads and the tension can be set why would he want you to throw it in your skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 my point is that he is looking to sell it and i dont think it appropriate to sell something that old and obsolete to someone who knows nothing about them ironplanet uk900 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Many Old machines are "obsolete" including BSA motorcycles but it should be no reason not to buy them! with good mechanical knowledge and a good fabricator these old obsoletes can offer many years good service. Sure if you can afford it, buy a new one with parts availability. But if the stitchers priced right and the buyer is aware of what he is buying (which he should be if he is already a repairer) then why condone the transfer of machinery? As a start up machine, to get you going a few hundred for this and that is a lot easier to stomach that many thousands. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I concur with Peter I'm afraid. there are still a few people using these old stitchers but they are indeed very obsolete!! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I concur with Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 May I ask a question then Lee and Joe, would either of you buy the Simplex? Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 As you know Keith, I brought a stitcher from your selves to replace my "obsolete" Standard outsoler. However the Old machine faired me well, I had to make a new table as with so many the old one had been chewed up a bit, and I had a couple of other problems in the years I had it which I sorted out along the way. I have always had a rolling practice of replacing one big thing a year, and it was simply a case of it was the turn of the outsoler, rather than its vintage. I brought it obsolete and it served many pairs for a further few years. I did sell it on, and I admit that sadly the new owner wasn't over happy at being told by yourselves it was obsolete. however when it left me it was in full working order and in the right hands should still be. I am proud to say I no longer have to consider older machines, however if I had my time again and was doing it all over again. I would still buy this lovely old machine and risk getting a few years out of it than not be stitching on my soles at all. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 And incidentally I am still running a keats & Bexon blake which I brought as a none runner. I paid £100 for it, hired a van to get it and spent a few pounds getting it going. This Obsolete non-runner has (despite being temperamental) faired me well over the 7 years I have owned it, when its its turn I will replace it though. AND SELL IT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 didnt think the question pertinent. The guy only wants to get it up and running. So does anyone know how to thread and adjust tension? Its a different story if he cant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 My Apologies! And welcome to the forum I see you have been a member for some time but this is your first post r.steph, Perhaps the chicken and egg story should be resumed over a pint in the arms! Best of luck with the outsoler my own experience only extends to a Standard, so I can't help you with this one. where abouts are you based? Any one else used one, or got one who can help? Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.steph Posted June 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Hi all.Firstly thanks for your warm welcome.Im pleased my post has been so lively.I live on the edge of Coventry and have recently retired after 45 years working for Modern shoe repairs,paynes, timpsons and minit and finally for myself.As for the stitcher i bought it 20 years ago as a backup to the one i used of the same model which i later sold.Although i agree that its obsolete, its in good working order, and hopefully would be of use to someone.Once again thanks for your comments, and i hope this serves as an introduction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Over the years, when I was a humble shoe repairer, I had spent many an afternoon fiddling, mainly with stitchers, but occasionaly with other machines. shouting, swearing, throwing all sorts of bits around. Stripping off many leather soles, after getting them all chewed up after the stitcher letting me down again! I made a decision some years back, that, because of the wasted time and expense, that I would invest in machines that would do the job quickly and efficiently. In order for this to happen, you need a reliable machine that turns out job after job with as little going wrong as possible. When it does fail, you need to be able to get the machine up and running as quick as possible and therefore be able to source parts quickly and at reasonable cost. I'm sure I'm not alone in these events and I hope it makes you think a little about your machinery and how you look at things when you replace them. Regarding the parts issue for Simplex, the main reason for them becoming obsolete over time is that all the factory parts, made on production lines eventually run out. The cost of finding another supplier is full of problems, trying to find technical drawings for instance to asssist in the making of the parts, finding an engineering Company to manufacture those parts. If you manage to find one, will they be prepared to make small numbers in order to keep the cost down. These are just a few of the problems that occur with these old machines and should be considered before making judgement on whether or not they should be kept in production. Ask yourself this, why do Companies like Power, K&B and Simplex go out of business? Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.steph Posted June 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2006 Thanks to bwells who very kindly sent me a copy of the manual,i now have it stitching.Thanks also to this forum that makes it possible to communicate with other repairers. cheers r.steph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 I've got a standard outsoler. It's a total shit sometimes, but a little fettle and she's as good as new. Troublesome outsolers are not for those without a bit of mechanical knowledge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 I've got a standard outsoler. It's a total shit sometimes, but a little fettle and she's as good as new. Troublesome outsolers are not for those without a bit of mechanical knowledge Enlighten us, what happens when it is "Shit". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 When is a "shit" not a "shit" ....... When it stitches nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 So the problem would be that it is difficult to set the machine to stitch correctly rather than a mechanical problem!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 No, the point being that the machine is old and worn, and often needs resetting. Thus the comment: This machine would be no use to someone with no knowledge of resetting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 Would you care to expand on what you mean by re-setting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 Are you in the trade! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfman Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 last outsole machine i used was built as the y say in 1939 have had to fix it once or twice and have trained a few peaple on the use of it . to my knowledge it is still going strong and does do a very good job and would have no worrys about buying it if it was put up for sale by my old employer even though standerds themselves have said its had its day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Elfman, it depends how you mean 'has had it's day. Surely you don't expect us to say we can service and support whatever machine you may have, if we cannot supply parts for it Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Elfman, it depends how you mean 'has had it's day. Surely you don't expect us to say we can service and support whatever machine you may have, if we cannot supply parts for it Keith Keith Do you still stock parts for th K&B outsoler!!! as I've been offered one, that needs a bit of TLC. I don't really need the machine but this guy is gonna skip it otherwise. I'll put it in my garage and do it up if it's not F@*t, I haven't looked at it yet. My new shop has a Victor And I hate Victors, orrible things. Anybody out there like these bloody vile stitchers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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