Steve's Backpack

I think I'm getting pretty close to standardizing my backpack design. This one's a little bit better than my last one, and there's only so much further I can go. Ha.
15" across, 17" high, 7" thick. 1000d Cordura, acrylic-coated poly.

5" of fold-over. Loading handle: I've been loving mine on my pack. So convenient.
Three compression straps on the sides. We all know how well two straps worked on the bottom of Timbuk2s (when they had compression straps)...why would only two work on the side of a pack?
This has a chisel bottom (aka a wedge bottom). This directs the load towards your back, and keeps the bottom from sagging, so you don't need any compression straps on the bottom.
D-rings on the top compression straps for easy opening. I haven't yet put these on my own pack. They make life a lot easier. Ha.
Curved shoulder straps, removable/adjustable sternum strap. I personally like my sternum straps sewn to the pads, but this is a more adjustable system.
One-piece floating liner. Small inside pocket. Removable back pad/document pocket.

Removable side pockets:

Open bottom: fits the bottle better, and allows any water in the pocket to drain.

I like removable side pockets because they allow the compression straps to function independently from the side pockets...if you want 'em to. Some times your pack it going to be empty save for two water bottles (and you'll want to cinch it tight). And some times your pack is going to be completely full, and you'll still want to fit water bottles in the side pockets. And some times, you won't even want the side pockets there.
Leif Labs: we're all about the straps.

And Dennis, modeling the pack in the clover patch.

Juki DNU-241

I know I just bought two new sewing machines, but I was looking at used machines on eBay...and I bought this 241 to use as a dedicated binding machine. It was a deal.
I think I've developed a bad sewing machine habit, though...
The sad thing is: this machine's seen years of manufacturing, yet it sews better than the 1541S...though that's not a hard feat, I suppose, considering the 1541S doesn't sew at all.
Anyway, I'm pretty excited about this. I love the look of these older "gold" Jukis.
The 241: the father of the 1541. This model is no longer in production. I'm not sure when they stopped, but there are white 241's out there, too. They also made one with a safety clutch and some with other doodads. Sadly this does not have the clutch.
This machine has a li'l story. It used to belong to the Bestop company in Colorado. They make tarps 'n' things that cover your pickup truck bed. They've recently moved production to Mexico and left all their machines in Colorado. A liquidation company bought their old machines. And I purchased one from them. A blow to US manufacturing, and a boon to Leif Labs (and Mexico, I suppose).
Not too bad down there...
No timing belt like on the 1541.
Dirty, dirty.
And, sadly, it's been touched with stupid hands:
How did this happen?
Yeah...look at the area around the top screw...

It makes nice stitches, though. It was pretty banged up when I got it (more on that later), but I made some adjustments, and unbent some things, and now it sews pretty well...
But not in the longest stitch. I still have to tweak some things. Ha.

And I did have half of an electronic needle positioner, but it was totally destroyed in shipping. It was sticking out of the box when I received it...
I don't really need one, but it would've been kinda cool to have one that wasn't all smashed up. At least I have some cartridge bearings, I guess.
If you don't know what a needle positioner does, let Cobra Steve explain here.

And here's how it came:
This is absolutely the worst packing job I've ever seen. I think this machine was boxed up by four-year-olds after huffing spray paint. Seriously. It's not even one whole box. It's two, shoddily taped together. I think a burlap bag would've been a better shipping container than this box. At least the machine wouldn't've fallen though the bottom with a bag. Damn.
Hats off to FedEx, I suppose, for not cracking the machine casing. The EPS was destroyed, thread guides were bent, and the feed base was knocked outta whack, but at least it sews now, I guess.
Stay tuned for the binding part of this machine...after I get around to ordering it. Ha.
Happy trails.

It's a Juki Disastro

Well, not really a disastro...I've just been listening to CocoRosie lately...ha.
Though, my brand new Juki DNU-1541S is still not working and that's close to a disaster.
After hours of contemplation and watching the hook spin round and round I've figured out that the hook assembly is most likely defective, or was damaged somehow at the factory. Either way, there's a rough spot in the rotation of the hook that causes the assembly to seize up when there's enough pressure applied to it.

Hook assembly. The inside part with the post is called the basket. It rocks back 'n' forth slightly while the hook rotates around it.

The first time I was sewing with this machine, I was sewing slowly along, over some number-eight cotton duck, everything's going well, beautiful stitches...sewing over a few more layers of duck on top of that, then boom! the machine jams up.
I thought it must've been a bad needle strike, or something like that, and the safety clutch went off. But it wasn't that at all. It took me a while to figure it out--days--but here's what's going on:

When there's force on the basket, such as when the machine is handling heavy material, the basket and hook lock up. This makes the basket pop outta place and rotate with the hook. (Note the top red arrow above: This is the li'l nubbin that keeps the basket in place. With the second arrow, you can see the needle coming down through the slot in the basket.)
Here the basket has popped out of place and is rotating with the hook. The needle is continuing to descend...
...and will collide with the basket...now!

The great tragedy of this is that Juki sewing machines have such a good reputation that no-one believes me when I tell them that I'm having trouble with my hook assembly. They usually try to blame the problem on me, or tell me to call someone else...in circular fashion.
And since this only happens with heavier material, it wasn't caught at the factory during the final sew off.
Fortunately Juki America has been fairly helpful, and I've sent my hook in for inspection.
[Note: I've received my replacement hook and I've just installed it. So far so good. Thanks, Juki!]
Though, I swear this machine must be cursed. First I received a defective table leg, then the motor belt was too small to match the drilled holes, now a crummy hook assembly.
Sheesh. Give me a break.
Lucky I still have my 111. Almost half the price and sewing strong.

So here's me taking the hook assembly off:
I was hoping to just move the feed base up a bit and slide the whole assembly out, but the thing's so complicated on the 1541s, I just took the assembly apart and got it out that way.
[Note: I figured out you can just loosen the bobbin finger/holder (that piece with the nubbin on it) and swing it out of the way and that leaves just enough room for the hook assembly to slide out. That's when the feed dog is at its highest point.]
Above and below is the hook with no basket.
Made a li'l mark on the machine so I can roughly line it back up...though there's a groove in the hook shaft...
[Note: Lucky there's a groove 'cause I forgot what position the needle was at. You need another reference point, otherwise this is useless. Ha.]
Needle plate removed. The hook just about to come back up. This is where the hook would snatch the thread loop.
No more hook assembly.

Win a Musette Bag!

>>>Update<<< The bag has been spoken for.
You may now continue reading the post:

Well...maybe "win" is the wrong word...
My friends are raising money for their friend's son, who has a rare respiratory disease. The money will go towards medical travel expenses.

Learn about their efforts here: Running For Ayrie.

So...the first person to donate 50 dollars gets a coupon for one free musette bag (aka a tiny messenger bag) made by me.
This is a semi-custom bag, so you get to choose the fabric color (from what I have on hand) and something simple to be appliqued on the bag's flap. I'm thinking simple shapes, like stars, clouds, squares, half moons, and such. No names or anything too complicated...unless your name is Al, or Oz.

Your bag'll look something like this:
Sans horse.


These are nice little everyday bags, for when you don't need to carry too much stuff.
They measure about 15" (across the top) by 11" (deep) by 3" (thick, at the bottom).
They have one outside front pocket, and one inside pocket with pen slot.
If you ask nicely, I can change up or add more pockets...within design reason.
They will be made outta Cordura nylon, or cotton duck--your choice.

I'm not taking orders for custom bags right now, so this is a unique opportunity to get a semi-custom bag.

Again, visit Running For Ayrie to support a good cause.
Learn about how these bags are made and designed here.
And if this is your first visit to this blog, learn about Leif Labs here.
Thanks.
cory/Leif Labs

Xtracycle Upgrade

Just got some sweet new parts for my Xtracycle...
Yes! wings. Hopefully these will allow me to go even faster.
And...
Awesome handlebars!
And thus ends this chapter of my quest to make the most awesomest (or goofiest) bicycle in town.
Oh, I also put a shorter stem on this thing. I had to get a downhill stem, though. Why is it so hard to find short "regular" stems (for cheap)? Hmm...
I'll be on the lookout for some sweet fenders next. Maybe those hammered-metal ones from Velo Orange. Mmm...