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Member since 12/30/10
Posts: 6
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2 Replies
Posted on: 3/29/15 1:50 PM ET
My Rocketeer 500 is great. It will sew through layers of thick denim with no trouble. But certain kinds of materials cause problems.

Latest project is using leather. No trouble with the needle going through two layers, but the upper and lower threads never lock together. I tried increasing the tension on the upper thread to almost the highest but no luck. The thread doesn't break, it just won't interlock with the bobbin.

I also am using a heavy duty needle. Tested again on a piece of denim, and on acetate for the lining. Sews fine. What is going on?
  
Member since 4/23/07
Posts: 4223
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Posted on: 3/29/15 2:03 PM ET
In reply to madunlap
Have you tried leather needles.
When I sew with leather I test to make
Sure the needle is making a big enough
Hole for the thread to catch from underside.
If the hole is to small the thread won't be lose
Enough for it to catch. Hope this helps.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to god. And
The peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
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Posted on: 3/29/15 2:06 PM ET
In reply to madunlap
I don't sew on my Rocketeer as I have a computerized machine that I prefer... New technology has won me over!

I would try using the leather needle, a longer stitch length, perhaps adjust the presser foot pressure (see page 17 of the manual) and use a Teflon foot.

Best wishes for a successful project.


-- Edited on 3/29/15 at 2:09 PM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 11/25/11
Posts: 1039
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Posted on: 3/29/15 4:05 PM ET
A leather needle is not the same as a heavy-duty needle. Leather needles have a specialized wedge-shaped point and a deeper thread channel down the shaft, so it does a better job on leather than a regular heavy duty point. It may put a wider hole into the leather than you are used to, but this is necessary. Too small a hole will create too much pressure on the thread in the channel that runs down the length of the needle shaft. If that thread does not run freely enough through the needle channel, the machine cannot send enough thread below the machine bed to form a loop. The shuttle pulls that loop around the bobbin in order to form the lock-stitch. No loop = no stitch.

FYI, once you stitch on leather, you can either leave that thread there, or take it out and replace it by hand. You cannot stitch twice by machine on leather - that would create a very weak point on the leather, very prone to splitting.

Just in case you haven't seen this before: the NERDS explain the whole needle/loop/bobbin interaction of a sewing machine:
here
-- Edited on 3/29/15 at 4:07 PM --
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Measure twice, cut once. While this saying is useful in many ways, I have no qualms about editing my posts.
  
Member since 4/9/14
Posts: 87
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Posted on: 3/29/15 5:01 PM ET
In reply to sings2high
Holy Smokes, The NERDS explained it all! Haha...They are too funny. What a great video!
  
Member since 12/30/10
Posts: 6
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Posted on: 3/30/15 0:10 AM ET
In reply to TammyKP
Thanks everyone! I tried using extra heavy duty thread which solved the issue. I had not seen your replies until just now, but will get the leather needle next time I'm there.

Thanks too for the video link!
  
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