Read's Sailmaker info/manual wanted

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ean_p

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hi
having just picked up a Read's in great condition I'd like to know how to keep it that way so can anyone point me in the direction of a users/ owners manual etc please?

regards

Ian P.
 
Reads sewing machine data

Sorry I can't help with the info wanted. However I think you will find the Reads is not much different to other sewing machines. Maintenance consists mostly of lubrication with a little light machine oil all those bearings and moving parts.
Sewing machines however can be frustrating. You need to understand how it actually achieves a stitch.
ie the needle is thrust down through the fabric dragging the thread past the friction tensioning device. The needle starts to rise leaving a loop of thread under the plate. This loop is picked up by a hook on the rotating part under the plate and the loop is dragged around and under the bobbin. The needle is withdrawn at the same time the thread is also tightened from above and finally the teeth under the plate push the fabric along ready for the next stitch.
The bobbin holder has a friction tensioning plate which is adjustable by a screw. The top thread is tensioned by going under a pair of screw down adjustable plates. If you do a large zig zag stitch on a test piece of fabric any unbalance in the two tensions becomes obvious. ie if the bottom tension is too tight (or top too loose) the bottom thread will tend to a straight line while the thread from the top loops out of the fabric to go around the straight thread and back into the fabric. While if the top has too much tension the top thread will tend to a straight line. Correct balance has the loop of one thread over the other inside the fabric and an elegant Zig zag thread shape. When you go to straight stitch the balance will remain correct.
Often the top tension is not applied until the foot is dropped down onto the fabric. Once he tension is applied you should be able to pull both top and bottom threads and feel the friction which should be about equal. My Toyota book says you can drop the bobbin holder and lift it by the thread and friction will just enable you to lift the holder (while out of the machine)
Total tension for heavy fabric should be about medium. too much tension will cause thread to break or on very light fabrics it will actually pucker up the fabric. Too little total tension will leave thread loose and proud of the fabric. Thicker threads as used on boat work naturally give more friction and tension.

A common fault is where big loops of thread are left under the fabric. This is because the tensioning arm which rises up and down is not getting to retension the thread on needle withdrawal. The usual cause is that the top thread has departed from its correct path. ie basically from the thread reel around the top tensioner then to the tensioning arm(up and down one) then down to the needle.
The timing of all the functions is vital but usually very tightly managed in hardware. (ie not adjustable) Don't be tempted to blame timing unless you find a drive loose.
good luck with your new sewing machine. i wish I had one (a Reads) you can have a lot of fun making things for the boat. olewill
 
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Reeds sewing machine

I have a Novum which is the same machine as the Reeds branded for domestic use. Unfortunately, I don't have a handbook. However, one bit of advice is to have it serviced by someone who knows their stuff- there seem to be a few independent sewing machine service places left. I inherited the Novum from my mum and having it serviced transformed it from a piece of junk into a useful bit of kit.
 
Hi Ian. I have both a Reeds and the original handbook. Even more useful I have Reed's origiinal small advice sheet "Adjustments and useful hints". If you pm me to let me have your e mail address I can send you a copy. Meantime, my "bible" for using the Reeds for boaty things is Don Casey's 'Canvaswork & Sail Repair' - isbn 0-07-013391-3. This contains excellent guidance on setting the machine up (compatible with Reeds) and diagnosing problems.
 
I would absoluely LOOOVE it if a copy of the Read's manual showed up in my inbox!!!

My husband and I would be ever so grateful if we could get ahold of this. We just got an old Read's by Cook Marine Products. It sounds awesome, but we can't get it to sew right. My husband is great with all our other machines but is struggling with this for some reason. He is begging me to find a manual for this machine for him!

I would love it if one would pop up in our inbox some day soon!!! Thanks in advance for your time and effort if you send it! bernadinelacy at gmail dot com.
 
ean_p said:
hi
having just picked up a Read's in great condition I'd like to know how to keep it that way so can anyone point me in the direction of a users/ owners manual etc please?
Click to expand...

There's this which is meant for the Sailrite, but is basically all applicable to the Reads as well.

Hth,

Boo2
 
The re emergence of this thread takes me back as the original op ! I've just recently sold the Reads to a member of this parish though it looks like he may have sold it on too!
They're a good machine, though I think there are better for less out there !
 
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