Should I Refurbish A 31-15

[CustomDoug]

Hey guys, I picked up a Singer 31-15 this afternoon for a song. Not only the head but it came with a pretty descent traditional treadle base (no wheel though), big old oak top and an electric motor,knee lever, bobbin winder, and large double thread cone holder. The guy I bought it from plugged it in and it ran, though I didn't sew anything with it as it had an old rusty slightly bent needle. It has a 6 spoke hand wheel too, I think some came with a 5 spoke one - but I don't know the difference. Anyway, I plan to use it if possible and to tell you the truth it looks like crap. I'd like to do some cosmetic stuff to it, if it's even worth trouble. Basically I'd want to DIY a paint job at minimum and resurface the wood top, maybe paint the treadle stand (or maybe not). The head is crusty looking, that is to say the paint is cracked looking and kind of chipped. Anyone ever given one of these old machines a facelift ? I'm not going for perfection my any means but I do have a pretty good eye for this kind of stuff (done old cars, houses) and don't mind a project on the side. Any help would be appreciated. I'll try to post a couple of pics if I can figure out how to do it on my new Mac, the learning curve sucks.

Edited December 12, 2010 by CustomDoug

[bootsmt]

The 31-15 is a great machine, I have 2 of them. Yes it is worth fixing up and if it is set to sew you will be very happy with it. You can still get all the parts you ever need. This machine is one that many boot makers prefer and look for. If you need parts you can call the following places; Ralph's power Sewing machine Company, 1 800-525-0330 in Denver, Co. or Gateway 1800-752-7897 in Illinois. There is one more but my brain just froze up. Frank

Hey guys, I picked up a Singer 31-15 this afternoon for a song. Not only the head but it came with a pretty descent traditional treadle base (no wheel though), big old oak top and an electric motor,knee lever, bobbin winder, and large double thread cone holder. The guy I bought it from plugged it in and it ran, though I didn't sew anything with it as it had an old rusty slightly bent needle. It has a 6 spoke hand wheel too, I think some came with a 5 spoke one - but I don't know the difference. Anyway, I plan to use it if possible and to tell you the truth it looks like crap. I'd like to do some cosmetic stuff to it, if it's even worth trouble. Basically I'd want to DIY a paint job at minimum and resurface the wood top, maybe paint the treadle stand (or maybe not). The head is crusty looking, that is to say the paint is cracked looking and kind of chipped. Anyone ever given one of these old machines a facelift ? I'm not going for perfection my any means but I do have a pretty good eye for this kind of stuff (done old cars, houses) and don't mind a project on the side. Any help would be appreciated. I'll try to post a couple of pics if I can figure out how to do it on my new Mac, the learning curve sucks.

[CustomDoug]

Here's some pics of the machine and base I bought, got it all for $40... I know it's rough but like I said atleast it did seem to sew when plugged in, so there is hope. I'd get a great bit of satisfaction from fixing it's appearance and making it a regularly used machine.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[CowboyBob]

That's the way they usually look when we get them too.Then here's an after pic,I think the machine gray looks better.

[CustomDoug]

Wow, now you've got that thing looking great. I agree about the color, hope you don't mind if I still the idea? Thanks for posting that, gives me something to aim for... not that mine will ever look that good but I can certainly try.

[Art]

AAAh, a Navy man.

Art

That's the way they usually look when we get them too.Then here's an after pic,I think the machine gray looks better.

[CustomDoug]

Slide plates and needle plates :

I want to replace the rusty needle plate on this 31-15, what are my options? I mean will I need to choose a hole size for each needle size I plan to use or should I just go with the largest hole size available. I will need to sew anything from muslin to the thickest leather that this machine will take. Also I'd like to get a needle plate that has the guide marks on it if possible, got a source?

As for the slide plate... the one I have would work if it will polish up, but there is a little light rust... anyone had success hand polishing these? Actually I'd want to do the same for some of the other nickel items too. suggestions ?

[CowboyBob]

You can probably use steel wool & polish that plate up real nice.We use a wheel in the grinder & it does a great job but costs around $50.00.

We also stock the plates & etc for the 31-15 too.

[CustomDoug]

two quick questions: 1) is the 31-15 considered a low shank, high shank, or slant ? 2) can someone explain how to thread the "thread retainer" after the thread leaves the spool ? (my machine has no oil cup on top of the machine and also my 'thread retainer' is in a horizontal configuration... unlike what is shown in the manual). thanks as always.

[CowboyBob]

It's a high shank foot(we have alot of different feet on stock)

You probably need to get a standard industrial thread stand the has a place to mount the spool & hook directly above to allow the thread to come off w/o getting caught