Singermania

I'd be interested to hear what people know of a Singer Delco, I'm only aware of Singers having AC Delco motors and lights, but no Singer Delco machine. However if this is a portable home machine I'd forget it for horse tack. Really the only portable machine with any heavy sewing ability that I know of is the Sailmaker/Strongarm machine with the walking foot. Regards Steve

HI Tor, no have closed down the website because of the cost, am looking at finding something free.

Hi, is this you Sheldon? if so I've sent off the Pilot manual to you this morning. Best Regards Steve

HI everyone, still looking for Singer 97 needles, this machine was made in the States so it seems reasonable to think there must still be a few there. Also want the Singer 1000 needle. I have good quantities of the Pearson no 6 needle in both round point and leather tip, this needle will also fit (I think) the Landis #1, maybe we could trade?

forgot to mention, can anyone help me with Singer 97 needles, any would be good, leather point even better??

HI Guys, its the same here in Oz, Singer 15s, 31s, 95s, 96 and 99 etc aren't worth anything here, lots of people buy them thinking they can do horse rug repairs and saddlery but they just can't do it. As soon as you get to a leather size machine the prices dramatically rise. The new Chinese wave of machines affected prices of older machines like the Singer 7 class for a while, but then these older machines seem to have bounced back again. The Pearson no 6 used to sell for about $3500 Australian here, then they dropped to about $2500 now they sell again for between $3600 and $4000. I note over in the States that Weaver's said about there last auction that older machines brought more money this year. I've had a few Adler 20-2 in my collection and didn't find a manual, however they are so close to a Singer 7-31 or 33 that that manual will suffice and its freely available. For anyone that wants one I have the Singer 132K6 manual, 45K manual, Pearson no 6 manual and BUSMC A! and Pilot manual, if anyone has a copy of the Landis #1 manual I would love to have that. Sadly I've sold my Seiko CH-8B and its going out today, simply the best machine on the market by far. I know the Chinese dealers are pretty happy with their 441 clones but really they still aren't as good as the Seiko. I only sold the head so will be able to drop on the new Singer 97-10 head waiting for me at the docks on to the table. Tor, I have a soft spot for the Singer 7 class, with a few in my collection, however with their current market value here its not possible to bring them in from overseas. When I get some time and space I'll post some pictures of my Singer 6-10 and 6-12, very very heavy machines. Regards Steve

Yep got 'em, $8 plus stamp. Here's a photo on my Koch cylinder arm machine from the late 1800s. Regards Steve

HI Peter, Thanks for the photos of your machines, nice to see them in such great condition. I have needles for the 45K, they are a 214, however they are also easily sourced on ebay etc too. Your needle looks to be about 77mm long, that would make it a Singer 97-10 needle. The Singer 1000 needle is 79mm, the Atlas is 80mm, the big Koch is 88mm and the Pearson no 6 is 94mm. 29k needles should also be in the net, howeer they are 60mm long, which is the same as the 45K and 132K6 length needles. I would think that a fine one of those would work. Regards Steve

HI Peter, no problem sending you the manual, you probably already know how it needs to be setup, but its nice to have the manual to make it more complete. There aren't many Singer 1, 2 and 3s about, I have the 2 and 3 but not the 1. The price is a bit difficult to gauge because of the lack of sales to base it on, however I wouldn't sell either of mine for less than $2000 each. The machine you are looking at would be best if it had the original treadle. Not too sure about the needles, I'd like to see a photo of one to get a better idea, also like to know the length. The Pearson no 6 needle is quite long, however the no 4 needle is even longer. I have an unknown needle in my collection that is about 50% bigger than the no 6. Let me have an email address for the manual, or get me on stevebonnett@dodo.com.au regards Steve

HI Tony, yes I also love the Campbell-Randall, I got one in England a while back and should have it in a few weeks time. Yes shipping from the US is about 800, but you first have to get the seller to crate it for you in speicially treated timber and take it to the shipper, after that there is another 800 port charges here plus what it costs you to drive to the port depot and back to get it. You need to allow a good $1600 for individual machines from the States, it only works if the seller will help you. I'm only a hobbyest too, but my hobby is collecting and only do a bit of repair work for friends and running machines to show people how they go. I have most of the machines that I wanted, ie three Champions, 2 Singer 97, 5 Singer 7, dozen Pearson, Randall, Puritan, Adler, Durkopp, Seiko, Koch etc.... but would still like a Union Lockstitch and an American National and Luberto. Ideally I'd like just one each of the big brands and the rest to speicialize in Pearsons. We were in Canberra last month, should have given you call and dropped in, but it was a real fly in grab a vehicle and get to Sydney to pick up 2 machines before they closed the doors and then back to Bundaberg. Let me know how you get on with the 45K, they are great machines. Regards Steve

HI the Adler 2 and 20 are slightly stretched versions of the 7 class. Many of the parts are the same, ie same shuttle and bobbin, same feet, same needle system and so on. They look slightly different to say a 7-33, but you'll find the front end is pretty close to the 7-10. I've found this before when looking at Adler and Durkopp, they can seem different then when you really look at the diverse Singer range you will see one that matches more closely.

HI Tony, I'd love to have seen that workshop too, I always enjoy taking a peek at Jim Beaton's when I visit. My 45K is the walking foot with reverse, brought it over from England, hence the higher price, but have sold 45K25 in the past from 800 to 1500. I have a saddler friend, Narelle, she is looking for winker moulds, in the States they call them 'kant see backs', if you hear of any let me know pls. Don't forget I have an emailable version of the 45K manual if you need it. I just sold a French Pearson restored by Jean Pierre Berger in France, nice fellow, real perfectionist.... but still have about 10 in stock with more coming. Narelle is looking to broaden her knowledge base, I wonder whether Mel would be interested in sharing some of his knowledge. Best Regards Steve

HI Tony, congrats on the 45K25, if you need the manual let me know I'll email it to you. I took on board your point about overpriced vintage machines, the market and import costs dictate the price, here in Oz everything is considerabley dearer than overseas. In the years I've been collecting and selling-on some machines I've never made the kind of money that attracts the taxman, the cut in point for income tax is on a far horizon somewhere in the distance. As i say its the market that dictates, a lot of people buy the old black Singers (99k sort of machine) for a couple hundred dollars and then find they don't do what they want, they are this price because of market forces, to get a 132K, 45K, 97, Pearson etc the price jumps dramatically. The big Adler up the arm 43-4 I have on Oz ebay cost 350 euros to get to my depot in England from Germany and then another $1000 Australian to get here, clear customs, pick up from wharf etc, so thats already about $1500, then you have to add the purchase price of the machine and do repairs when it arrives as usually someone along the way breaks a part of it, or spares get lost or stolen, or it turns up without the shuttle, bobbins or manual.....after that if you put it on ebay you lose another $250 and even more on Paypal. Even if it turns up in perfect order, you still have to adjust the price for those that don't. What I find is that a vintage machine in good condition will sell for less than the new Chinese copy, I don't care what fancy he-man label it sports, I don't listen to dealer claims that theirs are high quality, its still just a Chinese copy. I' ve had a lot of them in my little museum and they are all of a similar quality. The Chinese produce roughly 3 grades of machines, first grade (poorest) is for the local and Asian market, after that we have the machines you will know under a couple dozen names, then the third is the OEM stuff... actually made to the purchasing manufacturers specs.. this is the quality gear. If the dealers selling the clones really had the top quality item then they couldn't be sold for $2600-$3000, they'd be the same price as a new Seiko CH-8B. Things seek out their own level, the modern Chinese machines are great in that they have copied top designs, the metal.... well thats so so, don't push your screwdriver too hard or you'll take the head right off the screws. BUT, you still get a good machine for the price, maybe even two for the price of one Seiko. What would I like? that's easy, our own manufacturers.

Hi Tony, the 132B26 is not the 132K6 manual, its only the manual for the plain presser foot model... like the K7 and K10. If you send me your email address I'll send you the real K6 manual. Regs Steve

Hi, the back flip up cover is a great big heavy thing, as you say there is a attaching screw that can be adjusted to make the movement stiff, that way you can raise the cover and it wont fall down on your hand. I've only the one 97 in stock at present and it doesn't have the cover, however I sold one to a friend a while back and if I get out to his place I'll take some photos. Failing that I have another 97 arriving next week, have to wait and see if it has the cover. Regards Steve

G'day Tony, nice to see you bought a nice 45K25, has the roller foot too, that's good as they are worth about $150 if you can source one. If I'd realised you wanted one I would have passed you begs number at Burrum River Saddlery, he has one for sale too. Susan Scott .lives over in Gippsland and seems to always have a few nice machines for sale so maybe you could call on her while you are there. Don't have any 45K25 in stock at present, did you see my walking foot with reverse 45K on ebay? more expensive I know.......

HI, yes that is my machine, and yes I admit it is expensive. Had to bring it out from Germany so you can imagine the cost. Its on ebay so they take the first $250.... I'm open to offers. I dont expect anyone in the States to buy it, so I can talk about it without you feeling I'm trying to sell it to you. I searched for quite some time to find this machine, previously only had photos of one, its in mint condition and on a beautiful treadle. When you see the quality of the castings and the metal work around the machine you can really appreciate the craftsmanship, if you love machines, you'll fine just running your hands over it is pleasurable. I do also have a Singer 11 class coming from England, I bought it as an unknown machine and was hoping it might be an 11-20 which would make it a nice long arm walking foot machine, however it may also turn out to be a grommet machine or an up the arm machine.

The boys are right, thats just a home machine, really no good for leather. If you want something period in Singer then the Singer 16 and 42 ranges have walking feet, another good Singer is the 331K

The guys are right, these toys advertised as industrial strength machines are just home dressmakers machines. These ads appear all over the world now and I'd really like to shut them down. Go for the walking foot..... there are lots of Consew and Singer about.

Bob is right its a clone of a consew which is a clone of a Singer. Singer went under some years ago and lost control of their patents, after that the Japs and Chinese copied the better models. As Singers were being made in Jap factories at the time it was an easy rollover. You might need Bob's advise again for the feet as I suspect its running a piping foot set at present. Yes ideal for chaps and other light leather work.

Most cheaper machines today are Chinese copies of successful present and past day sewing machines.... so there are stacks of Singer 132K6 and Singer 45K clones out there, most dealers try to put across that these machines are there own design, sport their own label, produce them because of parts availability or some other sales patter. Up from those machines are copies of the three best leather machines available, namely the Adler 205, the Juki 441 and the Consew and Seiko CH-8B. Sadly no matter what the dealers tell you if you put the Chinese copy of say a Seiko next to the Seiko you will see there is simply no comparison. No point going on about it, that's how it is. What does really bother me is that we can't manufacture our own machines these days. In Australia we don't produce any at all, in the States you did have the Luberto for a while, great shame that it didn't get better support.

I wonder does anyone have notes on the BUSMC/Pearson no 6 serial numbers and when they were manufactured. I've noted down some numbers and ages over the years, but don't have any really solid printed matter to back up my and other people's estimates. Would love to hear how others have dated their machines, are there any authoratative lists like Singer's. regards Steve

Hi Les, great to hear your in depth knowledge on these machines. Yes I agee that the machine has been adapted from a line shaft arrangement, using bits already out there. I have a couple of the top clutch mechanisms in stock too. Around 10 of my shuttles are missing various bits, however I can't really afford to buy the springs at full retail price, I need both the T spring for bobbin tension and also the thread tension spring and two screws or studs. Would be looking for at least 10 of each. By the way the bottom of that odd foot is not flat, but has a section that would appear to slide along or in something else. Did you see the foto of my latest aquisition, absolutely thrilled to finally have these two Pearson heating lamps. I have the brackets as well, do you know about them? one is taller than the other....very expensive, but worth the years of waiting. Its really satisfying to have the BUSMC / Pearsons surrounded by their tables, bobbin winders and lamps. Actually the lamps were the last peice of the puzzle, the second last and now safely preserved was the rein rounder attachment and matching needle plate. Get back to me on the springs Les, are you still making parts over the Winter months? Regards STeve

HI Mike, sorry haven't sorted thru the 331 needles yet.... howevever here are some photos of the interesting stand and drive system along with various flywheels showing made in Britain, France, Germany and Britain for distributer O'Flaherty in Canada.... last two

HI Mike, I'm finished for today, I have hundreds of #6 needles, some round point some leather in most sizes, I'll have a look thru to see if I can supply any of the smaller sizes. Photo of machine to follow, busy today mending a bag for a friend. Regards Steve