CustomDoug Report post Posted October 29, 2011 How would a Singer 206K compare to a 31-15? This is a machine that is not in the manuals list that I have saved. It has a 3.5" wheel which I believe would make it relatively slow and powerful. I'm pretty sure it would be fine for sewing cottons, etc. but I'm wondering if a roller foot could be add and a single feed dog for scrolling stitch designs in thin leathers like on a 31-15. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted October 29, 2011 How would a Singer 206K compare to a 31-15? This is a machine that is not in the manuals list that I have saved. It has a 3.5" wheel which I believe would make it relatively slow and powerful. I'm pretty sure it would be fine for sewing cottons, etc. but I'm wondering if a roller foot could be add and a single feed dog for scrolling stitch designs in thin leathers like on a 31-15. The 206K is a home sewing machine. It is neither designed for, nor fully capable of sewing anything more than a couple layers of garment leather, or thin chap. The mechanism is limited to using no larger than #69 bonded thread. It is primarily used with standard cotton thread and normally sews cloth. As for a roller foot, this machine uses a low shank standard presser foot. You can buy plastic feet equipped with long rollers in front and back of the needle slot. This will reduce the clearance under the foot to just over 1/8 inch, before the needlebar hits the top of the foot. Finally, a 3.5" machine pulley is small, when speaking about sewing leather. Most leather sewing machines have pulleys starting at 4" and going up from there. If you motorize this little old home sewing machine and try to sew belts, you will destroy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CustomDoug Report post Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) Hi Wizcrafts, I knew this was a home sewing machine but I'd also read that it was based on an industrial machine from the 30's or so. Was only hoping to accomplish the same things on it as I would on a 31-15 (nothing very thick). Had I known it was a low shank machine I wouldn't have asked to compare it to a 31-15. Again, I could not find a manual on-line. As for my comment on the 3.5" pulley, I was comparing it to my consew206rb which seems to have about a 3" pulley and I didn't think the 31-15 pulley was bigger than 3.5" (can't verify because I just sold the one I had). Anyway I asked about this machine because I know it will be good for sewing my cotton liners but was hoping a true (high shank) roller foot would allow a little more versatility. BTW, these 206K's have large motors (bigger than the typical home "can" motors) on the back of them from the factory. Anyway - thanks as always for the great info. Edited October 29, 2011 by CustomDoug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted October 30, 2011 I'm sure that your 206K is a nice machine and very well built. But, it is not made for industrial use. Singer made specific machines that could stand up to day in day out sewing. This is not one of them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CustomDoug Report post Posted October 30, 2011 yea, I haven't bought it yet... will probably just go with another 31-15. Part of the idea was that if the 206k was up to the 31-15's abilities, I'd gain zig-zag, etc. But that would have just been icing on the cake. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted October 30, 2011 Are you doing tailoring? Why do you like the 31-15 so much? It is a tailors' machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted October 30, 2011 My dad used a Singer 31-15 in his tailor shop, for 40+ years. My first industrial sewing machine was a 96k40, which I bought when it was 40 years old and sold 20 years later. Despite equipping it with a roller foot setup, it still only liked #69 thread and no more than a bit over quarter inch of soft leather, or cloth. I understand that boot makers use these machines to sew designs onto the uppers, before stitching them together. They are sewing about 5 or 6 ounces of soft leather at tiny stitch lengths.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CustomDoug Report post Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) Are you doing tailoring? Why do you like the 31-15 so much? It is a tailors' machine. The 31-15 wouldn't be my primary machine for leather work, I already have a walking foot machine for that (consew 206RB) and for upholstery. I also plan on adding a heavier machine soon too for thicker veg tanned leather items. I'd be using the 31-15 mostly for cotton linings of bags, backpacks and yes even tailoring and alterations too (mostly my personal clothing). Then there's the ability of the 31-15 to do that stitch scroll work with a roller foot that I like so much. Not to mention that it'll do button holes in thin leather vests with the correct high shank button hole attachment (shoot I just mentioned it). Edited October 30, 2011 by CustomDoug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CustomDoug Report post Posted October 30, 2011 Despite equipping it with a roller foot setup, it still only liked #69 thread and no more than a bit over quarter inch of soft leather, or cloth..... I understand that boot makers use these machines to sew designs onto the uppers, before stitching them together. They are sewing about 5 or 6 ounces of soft leather at tiny stitch lengths.. I'm dabbling in doing wallets with inlays and the 31-15 w/roller seems like a good enough choice for that. The 31-15 that I just sold didn't seem to mind #92 thread being run through it, but like you said though - thin soft leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted October 30, 2011 Have you ever tried a post machine with a double roller feed? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CustomDoug Report post Posted October 30, 2011 Have you ever tried a post machine with a double roller feed? Never have, but there is a 51W local to me that I've been meaning to go see... I'll probably check it out before getting anything else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
