All Activity

And they're easily available in all sizes and much cheaper than the normal speed reducer. Iirc the whole thing ,pullies and belt cost around £40.

So I purchased the zipper feet and made a quick case as a test. Forgive the edges and finish, as I considered it a quick experiment. In the end I really appreciate the input and suggestions and am quite pleased with the result. For an old guy with arthritis this will be a game changer!

A darner heavy duty!! glenn

Good luck. Contact Robert Collier at Collier Equipment in Alabama. glenn

It would be. The 969 is one of the heaviest machines made! The dealer did not know what he was doing!!! What was he thinking??? The 869 much better for your application. glenn

Set stitch length to 0 before you time it. glenn

Some needle bars appear to accept either shank diameter (1.6mm or 2mm) but the hook to needle distance is affected. Also where the needle lands in the throat plate is affected. When using round shank needles of the wrong diameter, you may be able to make up the geometry difference by rotating the needle bar a certain amount. (Meaning the needle clamp would protrude at some odd angle instead of protruding straight to the right) At least that was my fix at the time when I thought I had a bent needle bar in my Singer 31-15. Eventually I checked the needle bar on a thick piece of glass and found it to be straight, and ended up determining that the machine actually needed 2.0mm shanked needles for the needle to line up with the throat plate. That was such a happy discovery ⭐

He is a very good man, Darren! When I originally e-mailed him about the problem it was after business hours. He got back to me within 10 or 15 minutes! When I get his bill, I may tack a Christmas bonus on to it!

Fxck AI - don´t trust it too much. Not sure what needle this subclass is using but you can use different needle systems with the smae shaft diameter but have to alter the needle bar height. That usually it not big deal. Singer 16 (more common is 287 or 1738 as needle system) have a 1.63mm diameter IIRC and 135x17 have 2mm diameter needle shaft. It may work but you have to try it. Or you try to find a needle bar that ex factory is made for 2mm shaft needles. I did that with my old Singer 51w but it using a different needle bar that does not fit the Singer 17. EDIT: oh- BTW I once owned a 34K that ex factory is using a 2mm shaft needle and I had to replace the NB and I took one from a Singer 17 (!!!) and the machine after the NB replacement worked with the 2mm shaft needles but ex factory the NB was made for Singer 16 needles (as yours) so I would just try the needles and adjusts the the NB in height. Worth trying - never say no - just try it. But hand crank the machine before you are using it with a motor. This was my hunt for a Singer 34K NB 10 yrs ago 😅 https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/66729-singer-needle-bar-i-could-use-some-help/

That is a beautiful pulley!

Can we get photos of the screw?

Thanks Constabulary ! Do you know if uses 135x16,135x17 needles ? One of the first things I found said machine uses 16x74 and is a obsolete needle system, then it says 16x2 and 16x1 is the modern equivalent and another AI mode thing said 135x17 is same needle system as 16x2 system ,so that gets me confused . Hope to find manual to study before I drive 50miles to see. Traffic here is no joke 😩

Way cool machine- really! I owned one but it did not suit my needs. I would not buy one again. Why - because why in the world should I pay $25-30 or one (1) needle? Chances are high that you break one and you better have a few spares on hand. Know what I mean? Depending on what you want to sew I would look for a an other model.

I had both 34K and 51w (still have it). Is sold the 34K cause I found the 51w and I do not look back. 34K is a bullet proof design, it was built to last but mine had a too tall post and I figured parts situation for the 51w is still good but even for the 34k you still find some new parts that the machine share with other Singer models. If I had too chose again I would always go with the 51w but you don´t always have choices. 34K´s also came with shorter post but sometimes you have to take what pops up on the used machine market. If you are looking "just" for a post bed machine then look for "810 Post Bed". It is more or less based on the 51w. This was my 51w project (1st model 51w):

The 17U model was made in Japan the 123 subclass has smaller diameter arm compared with other Class 17 machines and it is using Singer 15 type bobbin cases and bobbins. Apart from the hook / bobbin you should be able to use any other 17U model manual you find online. The subclasses usualy just have minor differences but the main machine often is the same. Check if needle plate and feed dog are present and in good order and see that the machine is complete in the hook area - see parts list for that or post more detailed pictures.

With servo motor and replacement handwheel and servo pullies to give speed control and extra torque. Will do a stitch at a time. Forgive the video quality and sketchy use. I haven't touched this machine for a very long time. Located in Chatham, Kent, UK. Pickup only. £850 Durkopp 239 with converted handwheel for extra torque and slower speeds..

I moved your post to Leather Sewing Machines. You are more likely to get some feedback here.

Thanks for your replies. To my inexperienced eyes the oval looks ok. My thought is the screw that holds the piece in place and the area of the piece that the screw comes in contact with are both worn down. There’s now way to tighten it enough currently that will have the feed dog move correctly. I can’t see any loose movement in the shaft the dog attaches to though that doesn’t mean there isn’t. It’s pretty dirty in that area. Im planning to go by the shop this week and talk with him some more and maybe mess with it some more. Is there anything else you would recommend I should look at on this machine? Do you have a recommendation for a source for parts for the machine, specifically the screw and feed dog? Thanks again, Jonathan

Incredible work. Thanks for sharing.

Hi everyone, came across this machine Singer 17u123 , just the Head is available, but can’t find out much about it? Looking to purchase but need to find out what and if needles and bobbins are available . I wanna sew light leather stuff and Canvas with it . Need manual to make sure machines all there. Sorry still struggling with adding pics . Don’t wanna buy another boat anchor. Also only thing comes up for manual is a 17-23 ,, and I can’t retrieve/open to see machine .. very odd . Thanks for all info .!!. Metalhorseman

Hi all. I make smaller sized bags as a hobby. Currently my only machine is an old mint Juki Ls 341 (gray color model) and I really like it. I want to add an old beautiful Singer 51w wheel feed post machine to my collection. I can't seem to find one anywhere for sale. Are there online vintage machine dealers that anyone knows of I could contact? All I need is the machine head in nice condition. I really want a Singer 51w model or maybe even a 34k, mainly because I like old machines and love the look of these singers. Thanks for any info!

That looks spectacular! Fantastic job, the black and white dotted edges and marbled pages looks like a lure to a bibliophile - whispering: I hold great secrets that you secretly yearn to read. Will it reside on your own bookshelf, or is it a Christmas gift to some lucky person? Brgds Jonas

that is the coolest work Ive seen for ages, man. You did a fantastic job!!

I guess "reasonably priced" is a relative thing. Each needle at $28.57 AUD ($26.23 CAD) and I thought paying $4.50 CAD for 794S size 250 was expensive. kgg

Yes, this project took a lot of time and effort multiple revisions and refinements and even then, perfection is always a moving target. We’re planning to add more patches on the front panel to balance the design and fill the empty space you see. This duffle bag was created for a client who approached us with a custom request. We’re a small custom patch business, and projects like this often come through word of mouth and referrals. The bag features premium leather patches, carefully embroidered and applied to achieve a bold, high-end finish.