Constabulary

Honestly - If I were you I would go for the Pfaff 138. Put a servo motor on it and start practicing. In my opinion it is a really good machine to start with. 80€ is a very good price and you can sell it with profit (I would even pay you 10€ for them small lamp that comes with it - I really mean that, I´m looking for one). If I was in Belgium today I would buy it - 80€ is a bargain and it comes with a lot of accessories you normal have to buy as extras.

ouch - the feet look as if someone welted or soldered them. I think the former owner really messed with the machine. Probably because he had no manual for it. I always wonder where all the original manuals are gone? There are thousands of machines around but where are all the manuals that came with the machines? I always download manuals when I find them. I have about 100 manuals (PDF´s) for machines I have never owned - you never know.

Today was a lucky day - I had an amazing find of accessories + attachments for the Adler 104 /105. Yet I have not identified all of them but I never expected to see these EVER! I will pots pictures tomorrow.

Picture is of my 111G156, its the only Singer I have. I also noticed that part 264527 Tension Disc Slide is not mentioned in the 111G156 parts list. But I think this little parts would solve the problem that your pin is not coming out of the housing. I have no other explanation. I just took a close look at one of the pictures - your machine seem to have 2 washers (or what is it) instead of the Tension Disc Slide.

lets see if I can attach some PDF files 111w155 Parts List.pdf Singer 111G156 Parts List.pdf

I see... Then it is probably the Tension "Dics Release Lever Slide" (what a word) that is worn. It pushes the pin against the Tension Disc assembly when you lift the lever. BTW - I have a parts list for the 111G156 but it has no pictures and I have a parts list for the 111W155 with pictures. If you are interested I can post them here or send them by Email.

I`m not exactly sure but I think I had a similar problem. Maybe this helps. In the tension post of the tension assembly is a small pin that pushes the lever of the tension assembly against the pin that comes out of the housing. And there is also a disc with a small bar in the middle that fits into the gap of the tension post which sits in front of the tension disc plates. I gave bar in the middle of the disc a small punch so that is pushes the small pin in the assembly a bit more towards the lever and that solved my problem. Not sure if I described it good enough. But then you take off the screw and the spring of the assembly you will see the small disc with the bar in the middle.... maybe the pictures help

I don´t know the machines but I think the 195 has triple feed but is a post sewing machine (471 is post machine as well). If I had to choose from the 4 mentioned machines I think I would probably take the 195. But you probably have to make your self a table to convert it to a kind of flat bed. But look at them first, there are to many classes and sub classes but I think the 195 could be an option but again - it is a post sewing machine! For just learning + practicing the 138 + a Servomotor would also be nice and is probably the cheapest option. It finally is up to you. Take some of the fabric with you which you want to sew and find out whats the best machine for your projects.

1/2" leather - WOW! Seems I have to make some adjustments again ;-)

I personally cannot use a 2 needle machine as I have no such work. But it "could be" useful for the car upholstery. I think 2 needle machines are not very popular as most people thing they have to sew with 2 needles all the time. However, I have never sewn with 2 needles. So I don´t know how the "sew-feeling" is. I´d pay not more than 350€ for it but it may go for less due to the 2 needle system. Here is an additional nice Video you probably can learn more about the Pfaff 145 / 545 (The 545 has some different features but does the same work)

This could be interesting fro you - still a way do travel but it could be worth it. Its a 2-needle walking foot machine. But it can run it with 1 need as well. But 2-needles may be good for some upholstery work or decorative stitches. http://cgi.ebay.de/181231388865 At www.sieck.de they sell the machine for 1050€

I use NATO S-761 weapons oil for lubricating my machines. I used it a lot in the arms room when I was in Service (German Army). I think what is good for weapons can´t be wrong for sewing machines. I use it fore all light lubricating purposes all over the house, car, mountain bike.... For more info on the S-761 oil check this: http://www.milispec.com/eng/products/weapon.php

I don´t know! Maybe the housing of the early West German Singers were delivered from the US and later on they produced the housings in Germany. I only noticed one part on the entire machine that is marked with SINGER GERMANY and that is the small curved metal part that holds the bobbin case in the hook. Everything else has no evidences of "Made in Germany". Most parts are marked with SIMANCO. I oiled the machine over and over again until only clean oil drips out of it. BTW - has some one an extra drip pan for the 111W / 111G? Mine had no pan.

agree!

I´m wondering why you bought the 45K when you want to sew garment leather.

don´t forget to watch the video in the thread I have linked above, that may help you too.

I´m also using a 111G156 - its nice machine but 3/8" is quite thick! I´m not sewing 3/8" material but I just tried to get 3/8" canvas straps under the foot of mine. Its to thick for my machine! Take a piece of 3/8 leather with you when you are visiting the seller and try it. I think 5/16 is the thickest the machine man handle. I think you probably need something in the class of Adler 4 / 104 / 204 or Singer 45K or one of their clones.

last post for today ;-) You found the ucansew2.blogspot.be already Look at the Pfaff 145 and Singer 111w155 - this is what you want!

the 138 has no triple feed. Triple feed machines have 3 bars when you look from the left side, one for the needle one for the walking foot and one presser foot. So when it looks like this (see picture) it has a triple feed. Look at this video and watch the Video in this thread http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=49979

BTW the small oval shaped metal part above the leather belt on picture 1 it for coupling the leather drive belt. The belt should have 1 small holes on either end. Through these holes goes the oval thing. If one hole it ripped, take a hammer and a 3mm nail with you and punch new hole into the belt about 5mm from its end. The 138 also sews zig tag and can sew on button with the correct presser foot. I really loved the 138 but it was not strong enough for me.

either machine would cots me about 200€ but not set up for what I`m thinking of. I would like to sew 16mm wide tacks with 2.5mm hight with about 52-56 stitches. I don´t want to spend toooo much money as It more a hobby that a job. How much would it be to put a new cam into the Juki?

80€ is a very good price. This also was my 1st machine but I quickly learned it is not "strong" enough for me. The Pfaff 138 is a very good machine but has its limits, it is not made for sewing heavier materials. Its a Tailor machine for sewing garments and not really made for car upholstery but it is a good machine to start with / to learn with. It may have its problems with thick upholstery threads too. You can sew a few layers of soft garment leather but thats it. And as it is foot operated you will have problems with the torque when sewing thick materials real slow. You should add a Servomotor. Or has it a motor - but I can´t see one. The thick leather lace is the drive belt so it is not missing. In case you will sell it again you should be able to get 250€ for it. I would buy it for 80€ no matter if it works for you or not. I´m sure this will not be your last machine especially when it comes to car upholstery.

Also, would be nice to know if it is possible to change the patterns at a Juki LK-980 :-)

I need some help with a Singer 269W bar tacker. I´m able to get one for a good price but it does not sew the pattern I need. Is there a way to convert it to a different tack patterns? I assume they work with some kind of replaceable pattern plates (or how are they called), right?

seems we are on the same track