Not me but I've been looking into it by reading and watching youtube videos of the various machinery. I haven't seen much on using hand tools. The sole and inseam machinery is quite specialized and mostly only used for shoe / boot work with a few exceptions. I understand the Singer 31-15 Industrial is a favorite for work on the uppers. This might be a good group to learn more from:

http://www.thehcc.org/

Jon

I got some slightly better pictures. I'm envious. The new owner stresses the fact that the room is NOT his, but the previous owner's.

Do you know which needles it takes?

I also got some hints regarding alternative or extended utility of this machine from Adam Sandler in "The Cobbler". I will not rate the movie...

DBx1 works on my early Politype Patcher. (and it worked on the 29-4 i used to have)
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Hi,

Probably the best way to figure it out would be to measure an old working needle if available. DBx1 sounds good but it is a shorter needle than the original so it would need to be lowered in clamp.

Jon

so, what would the original be?

Wish I knew. I had some 1x1 needles (System 81) in size 21 and was told "Some of the Polytype machines use that needle. Also Claes & Flentje patcher models use that needle". My 1902 Singer needle book lists 1x1 and 16x63 for Bradbury but doesn't specify by model. I've also read people using 175x3, 29x3, and 135x17 though some tweaking of the timing might be involved. With all these possibilities the DBx1 sounds pretty good though the original needle is a bit longer, around 1-3/4"-2" judging from the various possibilities.

Jon

Not a shoe maker but love to watch them make shoes, you can google and find lots of things on shoe making, people still are doing it.

That is such a great looking machine, hope you have a lot of fun with it. Wish I had a room just for sewing machines.

Any current machine thats worth a dern, worth buying? For boot making?

Not sure if I can find a (peddle) patcher locally or am I off starting and staying doing handtools?

I enjoyed the Lisa Sorrell videos, who makes custom boots, and it will give you an idea of the machinery involved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7aEWWk6-U8

The patcher is mainly used for shoe repair rather than manufacture.

Jon

Jon and Steve

I dont know how accurate the measurements are, but the needle that was in the machine - so grimy that the owner thought it was broken, had to clean it to find the eye - measures 1,87 mm shank diameter, 46 mm overall length. I can convert to inches, but I get confused by decimal inches - I leave it to you guys.
How long is the DBx1?