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Leatherwork
®
Guidebook
| 32
Skipped Stitches
A skipped stitch means the gib hook is not
catching the thread consistently� There are
a number of causes for skipped stitches�
Start with step 1 and stop as soon as the
problem is resolved�
1� Incorrectly Installed, Bent or Dirty Needle
A bent needle will cause skipped stitches
because the loop is not where the gib hook
(p� 30,
M
) “expects” it to be� Adhesive residue
on the needle will cause the thread to stick to
the needle instead of moving through the eye
to form a loop�
Make sure your needle is installed correctly
(p� 27), is not bent or damaged, and is free of
any residue from sewing adhesive material�
Fouled needles may be cleaned with rubbing
alcohol� Bent or damaged needles must be
replaced�
2� Turning Corners Correctly
You can turn gentle corners while sewing
at slow, consistent speeds� If motion is
stopped and a change of direction is
desired, position the needle at its lowest
point then continue rotation until the needle
comes up 1/8 inch� Stop and lift the foot
to twist the sewn assembly and make a
direction change� Drop the presser feet and
continue sewing� Follow these directions to
avoid badly tensioned corner stitches and
reduce the chance of a skipped stitch�
3� Not Enough Foot Pressure
Materials like dense, vegetable tanned
leather, can make the withdrawal of the
needle from the material difficult.
If the presser foot is being lifted as the needle
comes out of the leather, the loop that the
needle forms will be too small�
Increase the downward pressure on the
presser foot by tightening the Pressure
Regulating Thumbscrew (p� 21,
26
)�
37
4� Burred/Damaged Shuttle Gib Hook or Retaining Ring Cap Spring
A machine crash or needle strike to the Shuttle Gib Hook (
A
) or Retaining Ring Cap Spring (
B
) may
result in a burr or damage, which can cause the thread to snag�
Remove any burrs by polishing them with emery paper or a fine file. If badly damaged, replace
with a new Retaining Ring Cap Spring (#1603), and/or a new Shuttle Gib Hook (#9601)�
5� Machine Has Gone Out of Timing
If skipped stitches continue, the machine has probably gone out of timing� The timing is checked by
determining the relationship of the needle to the gib hook point�
To reset the timing on your Leatherwork, follow the steps outlined on p� 39 “Leatherwork Timing�”
Burred/
Damaged
Area
Burred/Damaged Area
>
Retaining Ring Cap Spring
>
Shuttle Gib Hook
38
B
A
Summary of Contents for Leatherwork
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