Constabulary

are you sure its an 31w and not a 31K

yes you can but you cannot use single needle feet. The current setup has to stick with the mounted feet. Just remove 1 needle and if you have to save the and 2nd hook I´d remove the entire hook but leave the gears as is. I think you can convert it to a full single needle 1245 machine but that requires new parts and moving the hook saddle and gears but to be honest I haven´t done this yet but I think it´s possible.

Maybe gummed up screw thread. I´d try to apply some heat with a heat gun or small gas blow torch. Tension maybe loose because lint has accumulated under the tension spring or a spring has a worn grove.

I would look for a used Pfaff 145 / 545 - you get some fair priced after market synchronized binder sets for these machines. You of course may need a different binder depending on your binding tape and material you want to use. Just a quick google search sample: https://www.aliexpress.com/i/33004211228.html Lot at this video from min. 7:10 and onward - they are using a 545 (I guess) with a synchronized binder setup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43gf0EHUU8 There are other machine brands too that can do the same work but finding parts for the Pfaff in terms of synchronized edge binding is easy and fairly cheap.

Are you aware of how patcher machines are working and how they feed the material? Question is is it the right machine for the work you want to do.

I´d grind or file gown the rim of the crew

Have you checked the manual for your machine? At the end there often is a section for mechanics and adjusters. If you don´t have one I have attached it here: Singer 153w 1 54w101.pdf

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Cowboy+Outlaw+site%3Aleatherworker.net%2Fforum

maybe you can explain your problem. Sewing machines often have similarities across the brands so smaller issues often can be solved by "looking over the fence"

most important is what machine are you talking about - so yes, please post as many pictures as possible. Also please post pictures of your top thread path.

I´m not sure if dedicated darning machines have the drive shaft for the feeding mechanism. Maybe you can post some good clear pictures of your machine from all side and with removed shuttle hook and needle plate and from the underside of the machine. So we can try to figure if it is possible at all.

well, usually people are asking for manuals and parts list when they have acquired a sewing machine for the 1st time. You never can have enough information,. Regarding parts - your machines shares a lot (but for sure not all) of parts and accessories with the Singer 211 model (including their clones). F.i. Presser feet, tension unit, bobbins, needle bar, foot bars.... maybe a lot more but these are the most important in daily use. Usually hand wheels on sewing machines are secured by 2 set screws and often one axial screw and the end of the shaft (looks like your is missing - thats why there is a threaded hole I think). So loosen or remove the 2 set screws (axial screw is missing already) on the hand wheel and then you generally can pull off the hand wheel / pulley. I´m not sure if your machine has some specialties (for what ever reason) but thats how it works on the sewing machines I came across so far.

And here is a Singer 211 service manual: Service Manual Singer 221G155_211G156.pdf

I guess the set screws which secure the hand wheel / pulley on the top shaft are loose. If you can remove the hand wheel check the shaft for a grove (usually 1 grove lengthwise). One of the set screw has to be tightened down in this drove. The other one is just for extra security and usually does not sit in a grove. Your machine I guess is a Mitsubishi DU-105 (or similar) clone which itself is a clone of the Singer 211 You can download a parts list here I have attached a basic operators guide for the Singer 211 here - hope it helps Singer 211 Operators Guide-Small.pdf EDIT: or maybe the not fully tightened screw has worn a axial grove in tot shaft. But you have to remove the pulley to figure.

Singer machines from the UK and US and elsewhere were spread worldwide before and after the war (or both wars). I even have found wartime manufactured machines from the UK in Germany but I guess they came here after the war. I think my oldest is the Singer 51w. Unfortunately I cannot look up the serial number. I assume they used left over W&W parts from the transition time when Singer took over W&W. But who knows for sure... https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/86292-singer-51w-sv-2-post-bed-machine-restoration Before I got this one I had a Singer 34K from 1905 or 1910 which ran like a dream. But the 51w is a lot more convenient for me.

The roller foot shown above is good for sewing shoe uppers and making curved seams and the like. If you want to sew straight seams / general sewing work mainly then the foot you have may work fine. Maybe you can post some pictures of what you have. It´s easier to evaluate then.

Try lowering the foot lift on the cam on the rear side a little bit... just an idea... report back please. I think I have seen this binding on a friends 145 long time ago. We lowered the foot lift and binding was gone but I´m not sure if you have the same problem. I don´t think we have been investigating this issue any further so this is / was just a workaround back then.

sorry - was probably my fault... I put the wrong URL into the link I guess (copy paste error) Aven made it right

You have a Singer 111 - right? There are 2 thumb screws. I have set both to very low pressure and only when I feel the rising needle is lifting the material I increase the foot pressure. Lesser foot pressure means fewer foot marks on the leather. But the thicker the material the more friction you have between material and neelde and the more foot pressure you need - basically.

$400? I think the chairs in the background are more valuable. But patchers are more expensive on your side of the pond than on my side but I don´t think I would pay more than $100 max. and keep in mind the machine could be a loss. But decision is your. Beside the price - Patcher machines are relatively easy to restore when all parts are present the the pinions in the gear box are in good condition. The pinions are obsolete. New pinions from later 29K machines (29K51 / 29K71 series) do not fit - don´t even try it. 6 years ago in December I have restored a similar machine but yours even looks a bit worse I´d say. This was mine: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/60554-29k1-pre-christmas-barn-find/ so yes, its possible but the condition of yours really is bad. I think I´d put the whole machine head in a big electrolysis tub for striping the paint and braking the parts loose (I guess they are rusted in place). Could be a good project for the boring Christmas / Pandemic time.

I put the machine outdoors in a rectangular 90 Liter mortar bucket and use one of these spray guns https://www.ebay.de/itm/133551313467 and different brushes with different solvents (often paint thinner) or sometime with just a washing soda solution.

I did not know that - I´m really sorry to hear that! Do you know more about the circumstances? Rest In Peace, Steve!

he is on FB too if that helps: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Professional-Service/Steves-Industrial-Leather-Sewing-Machines-345144232177296/

Guess what I just figured. At least 2 parcel services (GLS & DPD) on my end no longer offer shipping services to the UK. May be different for business customers abut still...

The EU for sure needs reformations. No doubt. Question is what price is the UK (Govt.) willing you pay for this bit of more sovereignty? Meaning what does BREXIT mean for the British people and the British economy. Where do most imports (goods and raw material) to the UK come from and where do most exports from the UK go to? If I´m right more than 40% of UK exports go to the EU and more than 50% of imports come from the EU. So VAT & Import fees makes it more expansive for either side. But since the market in the EU market is a lot larger than the market in the UK the EU companies (not meaning Germany alone) may look for alternative trading partners inside the EU. And the UK may look for alternative goods & trading partners as well but the UK is an island so "alternative" goods from non EU countries have to be flown in or shipped by ferry & vessel or trucks have to cross EU countries and go through the tunnel and after BREXIT EU goods have to pass the customs. Trucks will stand on huge parking lots in Kent waiting for maybe several days or so (we do not know yet) until they have been cleared. Not sure how this will work for EU goods shipped by vessel but I´m sure containers will pile up as well. And all that for sure is a big disadvantage. Not sure if it worth paying that price. May sound like s "rather small price" but I think the Brexiteers have largely underestimated the impacts on trade, economy and jobs. But time will tell...