blue99

Thanks for the information....I have been using recoil starter rope.... with a piece of bailing wire for a staple. I guess i will invest in a couple of leather belts. Thanks again, John, blue99.

I need information or should I ask for opinions on leather treadle belt or o-thane (rounthane) belt. I have a Singer 31-15 and a Singer 29k71 and I need to replace the treadle belts on both. The Singer 31-15, I have to take the belt off and tilt the head to change the bobbin. Then again where can a person by the synthetic belts? Thanks, John.

Thanks Cowboy Bob, That's what I needed to know. Now I can order some supplies.

Hi, I recently bought a 111w151 and I am searching for maximum thread and needle sizes. I'm having a tough time finding much information on this machine. Thanks for any info you might have.

Thanks for your replies, I got my machine to work like the former champ that it was .......not really sure what was wrong but now I feel that I understand the 31-15 pretty well......I also never thought to look at sister machine manuals for information. That was a great idea. Thanks again. blue99, John.

The same thing happen to my Singer 31-15 when I decided to change the feed dogs to the heavier style........Loops on the bottom side of the fabric. I am using a 18 needle with 69 bonded thread sewing two layers of cotton ticking. I have the thread tension set almost to the maximum, would that be correct? that is the only way I get a good stitch with a long stitch. I have timed the dogs and the needle to the shuttle and even compaired the 31-15 strokes to a 15-91 they seem to be identical. The thread tension is so high that it doesn't seem right. I pulled the tensioner all apart and cleaned everything........I don't understand what John did the 30-40 degrees......I've done everything by the manuals..... this is an old tailoring machine, so why the high tension? Thanks for any help, Sincerely, blue99, John.

Thanks Eric, I went to see if I could adjust the foot down farther, but the foot just seems to skim across the top of the arm plate......Then when I put in about an 1/8 inch thickness of leather it sews the longest stitch shy of 1/16 inch stitches. The machine is set to sew at 5 stitches per inch. Sewing just fine if I help by lightly pulling the leather through. I took the head apart and did a wipe down of the parts that effect the stitch length and the ring slide bar seems good. No wearing on the slide, but I don't know about the ring. The bell crank lever had pretty good flat spots on the lever....... not round anymore. The stitch regulator was pretty worn on the opposite of the screw side.......that I brazed some brass into.......the worn area and then filed it back to flat and notched the lower side......made no difference to the stitch length.........Still wondering .....Sincerely, John.

Hi, I'm back fishing for more answers on my Singer 29k71....... I am finally going to fix the short stitch length. First the foot that I have on the machine, I think is worn, as I can slide a peice of folded paper under the foot when it is down. Is the foot suppose to rest on the arm? Now to get the stitch length back, what part should I replace first. I thought to replace the bell crank first. Then other parts if that doesn't work out.....as the round part is pretty worn. Can you please point me to the right direction.Thanks, John, Blue99.

Hey, I want to thank everyone on the Leatherworkers.net. I live in northern Minnesota on the shores of Lake Superior..... love the outdoors...... With that said, I like to make my own items for kayaking, hunting, etc.... everyone here has helped my hobby as far as what machines,types of thread, and needles.......Did not know much about sewing anything , leather or fabric. I am learning...... The other hobby that the members have helped with are machines. The older Singer machines are great...these are my machines the forum has helped me with:

Thanks for all your information on the different machines. I now have a singer 15-91.... It's a fixer upper, but that's okay......part of the fun is getting something to work like it should. My wife does not understand that part (why not buy something that works). Tinkering is part of the hobby. I now have a 29k-71, a 6704, a 717, and the 15-91....... For Christmas I asked for a singer 15-31 project. Thanks again, John.

Hey, I need some opinions on getting a Singer machine on a budget to sew leather and fabric to compliment my Singer 29k 71. My local options around here are the 15-91, 201, 306k, and the 15-31.....which are harder to find and in not so good condition. I currently have the Singer 6704.....I stripped the bottom gear to the bobbin shuttle....... Yeah, I should get a real industrial machine ......... but I can't spend the big bucks the do repair work and hobby sewing. Please if you folks here on the forum could make suggestions on machines that you would recommend that would be great......Thanks, John

Hey Leatherworkers, I need some information on needles for a Durkopp cl17.1.0 sewing machine. I only have one needle for the machine and all I can see on the needle shank is HK885. The top of the needle has been snapped off. I have a 29k71 and the needle I have is still much longer than a 29x4. I have searched the web for a couple of hours and I can find any information for needles. Can anyone help on the needle sizes? Thank you, John.