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Singermania

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Posts posted by Singermania

  1. Posted · Report reply

    HI, nice to hear you have a lovely 7-31, they are an excellent machine!

    They can be a bit fussy with their thread tensions, so make sure the shuttle is clean and well oiled, that the tension on the top is steady and firmish. Also worth checking that the hook is close enough to the needle when it rotates.

    With regards to oils, I think that the advise you have recieved is excellent, however I'm not concerned about marking materials so I use a good grade of thin motor oil, sounds strange but I find it does a good job.

    Regards Steve

    name='richspe' timestamp='1319581769' post='218284']

    I just purchased a Singer 7-31 and will have it running soon – the table has not arrived yet. This is a real beast of a machine. What do you use for oil? I'm thinking that regular sewing machine oil may be too light and something heavier should be used. I have downloaded the manual and will have it running soon. A leather worker purchased it from the military but he used it very little. It appears to have had little use. It seems to sew pretty well and hasn't been sitting in a barn, just a little shop dirt from lack of use. It needs adjusting to do long stitches, without making thread nests on the bottom. Any information about oil you use or general problems and adjustments would be greatly appreciated. I too like to repair the old Singer machines. Best regards from Nebraska USA

    HI, the 144 is a great machine and improved over the 132K6, ordinarily I would be interested in purchase, however at the mo have a number in stock. Sorry about that, hope you find it a good home. Am still searching for Singer 97-10 and any Pearson machine. Best Regards Steve

    I have a Singer 144W long arm that is in working condition. I have a nice boat foot and a nice collection of spare parts in a storage chest that I would part with. Email if interested.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    HI Kuyriakos,

    I have found a 47KSV10, bigger than the 47k1 and am happy with that, however I can give you a couple hundred for each machine if you want to move them on. Regards Steve

    Hey. I ve got 2 SINGER 47K1 in perfect working condition .A grey one with serial no:EG813333 (dated 1951) and a black one with serial no EH518755 (dated 1953).

    The machines have been in my sail loft but recently I got myself an ADLER 366 Long and high arm so they are not used anymore.

    If you are interested my email is saildoctor.rhodes@yahoo.com send me an address where I can send pictures and we can come to a good deal.

    With friendly greetings

    KYRIAKOS MALAPETSAS

    GLAROS SAILS RHODES

    GREECE

    TEL :0030 6947 230 900

    0030 22410 42073

  3. Posted · Report reply

    HI Dane,

    That's a great find, you dont see that many with the top clutch system about. The price range you mentioned is about right... I buy and sell these machines in Australia and get them from the States and UK. I believe their value over there to be between $1000 and about $2500. I sold a 7-31 this week here in Oz for $1950. They should be worth more in my view, however cheap imports that have reverse have put them in the shade somewhat. Good luck with your machine, you can still get bobbins, shuttles, needle plates, needles etc. Regards Steve

  7. Posted · Report reply

    HI guys, I'm going to stick with what I have said, the price is less the quality is less. Does it matter??? I don't really know, the machines will still probably out live us. I think it was Al that said the design was important, but the quality of the metal no so much.... but I can't agree, would you apply that rule to your leatherwork? I doubt it, you'd go for the best leather. Lets put it this way, when I was growing up my dad had a builders wheel barrow that was in and out of all sorts of weather and carted concrete, bricks, fire wood etc, I remember that wheel barrow being there right thru my living at home time, about 20 years, by the end it was beaten up and patched but was still going... my dad died before that wheelbarrow.. Last year I bought a Chinese wheelbarrow, I treated in like a princess, its already rusted out and sitting on my rubbish heap, it rusted so quickly and so comprehensively that there just wasn't anything left to patch. So I think there is some value in the metal.

    I sold a highlead last week, it came to me with a big Adler that I was chasing. The person that bought it had a Sunstar, exactly the same machine, he used it to sew caravan awnings and was very pleased with it... and so grabbed my Highlead when he saw it advertised. Did I like it?? no not really, it had too many little chinzy looking parts for me. But the man loved it and so thats top recommendation.

    As I've said, the Chinese and Indian machines are cheaper, we are not making them anymore and so what the heck, they probably outlast us anyway. I saw on another forum a saddler saying he had two Highleads and that they were wonderful, so its hard to argue with that. Al, I'd say buy the Highlead, look after it and let us know how you get on. Its ok for me to be nostalgic about the old Singers, Busmcs and Adlers, but you have a job to do so get the modern machine in your budget. Alternatively, come over to Australia for a holiday and take back one of Jim's Cowboy machines.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks Bob, just when you think you've seen them all along comes another one. I tried all Singer avenues to get info on my 5-12 but they only come back with what I can find on their websites, thats that it was made 7th of July 1879. I guess its a matter now of waiting until an old timer comes along that knows it. Regards Steve

  10. Posted · Report reply

    thanks Bob, but isn't the K5 a rope binding machine or am I thinking of the K3.. Its interesting these machines were built in small numbers, when other machines were being made in hundreds they were made in tens. I dont have the 47k yet, but the badge on the side (photo of) says 47KSV10. I used to have a 47K1 some while back and sold it to another collector and have been trying to replace it ever since. I've attached a photo of an old 47K1 for anyone interested, also another interesting photo came across recently of a shoe machine Regards Steve

    post-19343-042573300 1312013390_thumb.jp

    post-19343-054036300 1312013450_thumb.jp

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Trox,

    I've jumped the gun a bit as the machine hasn't arrrived as yet, I'm hotly awaiting its appearance. I understand it does sew. Its basically (by the look of it and by the numbers) a 47k1 cut in half with a big beam shoved in to extend it and a puller attached to help things along. I believe it would do the same job as the 47k1, that's sailmaking. Your 144W305 is a good machine, I believe they have a reverse on the treadle, thats a plus out here. The problem is I can't import just one machine at a time as the port handling, customs clearance and delivery kill the deal. If we could bypass those costs I 'd grab it in a heartbeat.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    buuuuuutt............... if I was setting up my upholstery business again and I had the choise of a $5800 consew K6 clone or an Asian manufactured clone at say $2500 and that came with reverse, cheap spares and great design (its a copy of a great design after all) then I'd probably buy the cheaper machine.... Lets face it I could buy two and set the other one up witha different colour or weight thread, or a welt foot etc. The US and Britain have fantastic heritage in sewing machines, the mighty Singer company spanned pretty much every country in the world, throw a dart at the map of the world and Singer was most likely there. I'm a bit old fashioned, a bit nationalistic and would like to see that heritage continued and even rebuilt. Though I sold my own old upholstery machine recently, it was Japanese, I really didn't give a thought to where it came from whilst I was using it.

    Getting back to the original thread, if I was having a new machine shipped to me, I wouldn't be concerned about setting it up or adjusting it, because I can do that. Would I be worried about the quality??? if I paid half the price of a Consew or Juki (probably made in China anyway) then ...no .... I wouldn't be worried about the quality either. My advice would be to buy whatever machine appeals to you, whatever machine is in your price range, if you don't have skills buy what can be easily maintained, repaired and parts sourced ie a good dealer to back you up. If that's a Highlead, then excellent. If you want to be a bit of a collector like me and like to go out to your building and admire your antiques and tinker with them, then buy an old Singer BUSMC or Adler.

    Whatever machine you have, be proud of it, its taken over a hundred years to produce it, keep it clean, oil it everyday. I've attached some pictures of my latest aquisition, its a Singer 47KSV10 extra long arm walking foot zig zag sail maker's machine with puller. I fell in love with it, these things make a great racket when they run and were really designed for the heavy old canvas days of sailing. I've never seen another, the show off in me thinks it may be the only one in existance, pls let me know if you have any knowledge of them.

    post-19343-073792600 1311895305_thumb.jp

    post-19343-010902200 1311895328_thumb.jp

    post-19343-020060000 1311895345_thumb.jp

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Well nothing is set in stone, things change.... Japan got into manufacturing, the the first wave was cheap and poor, hence the saying "jap crap" , they learned from that and came back with quality. The Chinese or whoever can do the same. My point is that if a machine comes to you as quality, it is quality, if it comes rough then it is rough ... right to the core.... sure you can tinker but the base materials you can't change. Austrailia's economy is pretty much unaffected by the WFC however Europe and the US have taken a punch, if I lived in one of those places I'd be thinking of buying home made.

    I know the original question was about Chinese, however there are other countries that manufacture.... Japan, India, Pakistan and Russia. My rule of thumb is that if it comes to you rough then it is rough.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    HI Guys, I'm hearing a lot of talk about the end result being down to the dealer?? you really think so? Do you really think you are going to make a crocodile handbag out of a pig's ear? Look if the things arrive poorly adjusted, with paint missing, rough castings, moving parts that don't move then that lack of quality is going to carry on thru to the materials. The metal will be poor, the casting weak, crappy bearings. Sure a dab hand might get it going nicely, but will it be around to challenge the big old Singers and Adlers in 50 years time? But if you want a Chinese machine, then go and buy one, stop talking about it, do it. Best Regards Steve

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Bob, thanks for replying, I'm very jealous of your collection. I take it that they are the no 1 and 2 on the forground. I would love to have a full set right up to the big 8 class, so far only a 3, 5 and about eight 7 class. If you ever want to sell any of your treasures or know of any more then pls let me know. Best Regards Steve.

    Bob

  18. Posted · Report reply

    HI Greg,

    You are right I was off thread, I was responding to points being made later in the topic.

    I only ocassionally sell a new machine, sometimes they work straight out of the box sometimes they don't. But that's to do with many factors, like the material and thread that it was originally set up for or not set up at all. Other things happen in transit, I have machines running perfectly here, leave a large piece of cloth stitched half way thru under the foot and it gets to the other end and wont sew... tensions move, things get out of whack...not every time, but just sometimes.... I can't say that one brand or one country of origin is going to do that more or not.

    So sorry to confuse the issue or cast clouds on anyones way of earning a living. My own firm belief is that there are varying qualities of Chinese machines in the same model. Whether they run straight out of the box I can't say. What I can tell you is that I import a good number of used, old, big Singers machines from the UK and USA.... like the 97-10, 144W305, 132K6, 45K, 7 class, 47k1 etc, very often they have material under the foot and thread hanging off them (so the person, me, at the other end knows how to thread it) and I find almost without exception that these machines sew straight out of the crate.

    Does anyone know anything about Singer 3 class machines.??

    Hope that helps, sorry again for getting off topic.

    Best Regards Steve

    I just want to make sure I'munderstanding and reading this thread correctly;

    Outof the box untouched factory direct brand name Chinese equipment is BETTER today than out of the box factory direct Pfaff, Durkopp Adler and Singer? I'm reading comparisons for used German, Japanese & American made equipment vs. new out of the box brand names from China, am I correct?

    The ONLY reason I'm asking this is because I feel the original question of this thread is not being adequately responded to, and that is "What machine new out of the box factory direct is going to work."

    I know a machine is only as strong as who is setting it up (stand included) and supporting it, but that was not the question on the table. Not everybody has a sewing machine dealer who lives on thier block, so I do understand the basis of the question.

    post-19343-030674000 1311742295_thumb.jp

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Lovely machine!!

    Singer lost a lot of the production information so they only have the same data as on the website in terms of serial numbers.

    HI Darren, thanks for your reply, the pictures are deceiving, its shorter than a 7 class but actually heavier, so rather than around 65kg its more like 75kg. I can lift and carry a 7-31, but this 5-12 is a real back breaker. I'm still hoping someone will read my post and have some info, even just a comment is very welcome. Regards Steve

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Everyone,

    I'm trying to track down some information on the Singer 5 class machines. So far can only find two drawings, one is a 5-3 the other is a 5-7, neither look exactly the same as my 5-12. I bought this machine as a 5-12 but of course it could be somethinge else. It is certainly a Singer, looks like the 5, 6, 7 and 8 class machines and uses the same shuttle as the big 7 class machines. The problem is that the Singer info I have only list up to 5-9. The Smithsonian pictures don't have any of the heavy walking foot and feed roller gear as mine does on the front.

    Also the Singer catalogue says that 5 class machines have a bed of 32 1/2" whilst mine is 21 3/4". Did the later versions have a shorter bed?

    There must be someone in the world that has used these machines and knows something about them they can share. Does anyone have any photos or literature. ??

    I found a Singer phone number that says if you ring it they can give you the model number from the serial number, but it wont work here in Australia.... 1800 474 6437

    The Serial number is 2959803 and under that is 89903. The first number was allocated in 1879.

    I am trying to put together a collection of early industrial Singers from the number 1 to the 8, so far I have a 3, 5 and several 7s, let me know if anyone has the missing machines, dead or alive.post-19343-063794300 1311553834_thumb.jppost-19343-075509600 1311553853_thumb.jp

    Pls get back to me with anything you may have or know.

    regards Steve

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Another question about my machine for people who know more about them than I do.

    On my machine, there is a an open-topped box at the back of the machine with a pipe that goes through a hole in the chassis of the head to the front of the machine (ignore the needle, I poked it in to make sure the hole did go all the way through like I thought).

    post-13283-127871806344_thumb.jpg post-13283-127871806572_thumb.jpg

    On the catalogue page I linked to above, and on this picture from Badger's post about his second machine there is a tube coming off the front of that pipe to a box under the bed where the needle comes down past the shuttle.

    post-13283-127872708275_thumb.jpg

    Here's a picture from my machine showing the needle at the bottom of its stroke protruding into the space where it looks like the box attaches

    post-13283-12787284786_thumb.jpg

    On the catalogue page there's what I'm guessing is a burner under the box too. My guess is that this is the "patent top-waxing apparatus" mentioned in the catalogue, but I am curious as to how it's purpose differs from the top wax pot, and if/where I can get such an apparatus for my machine (Badger, do you use yours?), since if it is what I think it is it might be fiddly and messy but it would be right useful for some of the sewing I plan on doing with my machine.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Guessing you looked at this dealer and they failed to meet your requirments in some way?

    I know that is 16hr trip, still it's closer than Calif.

    Sugar Sewing Machine Ltd

    • 03-341 2157
    • 279 Riccarton Rd Christchurch 8041

    7315978_L.png

    HI, well I'm only a collector and buy and sell a bit to fill a void (and to make space). I decided not to go the importing route of new machines as it meant setting up sales and workshop facilities and being on call 24-7 and I'm just one man. So I buy what appeals to me, restore it and then something else has to go, I am available to help if things go wrong, I find the manuals and spares etc and pass on the info. Sometimes a machine is working perfectly and then I ship it and it wont go at its destination, so even with the best of prepping, things change, tensions alter etc so I have to sort out these things if needed. Best Regards Steve

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Hey Steve, I've seen some of your wonders on the net and must say I drool over most of them. A local boot factory has a BUSM outsole stitcher sitting in their junk pile right now and I am trying to justify approaching them about it - I will certainly try for the Fortuna skiver - as I know I will probably never find a customer for it. Another wonder I saw in my travels was a Japanese built 30" cylinder bed machine loosely based on a Singer 7. So much heavy iron, so little space.

    HI, NIce to hear from you, the book factory junk pile sounds like a very attractive place to a scrounger like me. Even if you have no immed use for a machine just saving it for a later time or generation is worthwhile. I wasn't aware of the Japanese machine, Singer did the 11 class that look like a slim line 7 class in cylinder form. The 11.-24 is pretty long, maybe 30 inches. Best Regards STeve

  25. Posted · Report reply

    HI, I'm another Aussie with a few words to add about the old machines and the new Chinese models. I'm a collector that does a bit of buying and selling and my interest lies in the biggest machines I can find, mostly thats Singer, Adler and BUSMC. I love the old machines, not because they are any better but simply because that's how my mind works. I have a Singer 3-1 harness machine, 5-12 belt stitching machine, a number of Singer 132k6, various 7 class , 27,31,33 and an 11 book binding machine, Singer 11-20 long cylinder walking foot, 47KSV10 very large long arm walking foot zig zag sailmakers machine. There is an old Adler 20-20... looks a bit like a Singer 7 or 8 class and a couple of BUSMC machines (don't tell JIm Beaton) on the way. Can these machines be a bit fussy, yes, are they solid and built of the best metal.. yes. I looked into importing Chinese machines some time back and discovered from the factory salespeople that I could buy the same machine in a number of qualities... for example there is one quality (not so good) that they sell to their home markets, then there is a step up that they sell to Europe, the US and Australasia (under various names) and then there is the top quality (OEM) that they produce to be branded for the likes of Consew, Juki and so on and must meet their requirements. So its not fair to say all Chinese machines have rough castings, poor paint, bearings and tolerances, it just depends on what version you buy, they really can be the best of beasts, as Jim will concur. I love my old machines, I love to go out into my garage and look at them, assuming I can actually get into the garage! and love to search for parts and information, but I would also like to steal the reverse functions off the new machines and some of the other improvements that Jim has been instrumental in making.

    There's room for all of us and all machines, if its beautifully made, is great quality then it will become a classic like the Pilot, the Pearson #6, the Singer 7 class etc.

    Best Regards Steve Bonnett

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