Springerpanhead

I recently acquired a Singer class 3W-1 sewing machine. Really didn't need it as I have several other heavy machines in my shop, but I was such a neat piece of gear I couldn't resist. The serial # shows it was built in 1874 and it's complete and operating mechanically. Although I am quite familiar with how to string up complex industrials, this one is so simple it's kind of baffling me. Does anybody know how to string this old machine up? To avoid misunderstanding, this is the old class 3 where the Pittman arm from the treadle connects directly to the main drive gear and not to a belt pulley. Hope someone has a diagram or experience with one of these. In the meantime I will just keep trying combinations and hope I get lucky. I also need to know which hole on the shuttle the bobbin thread comes out of.

Thanks for the tip but I couldn't find it. I understand the the Chineese and Japaneese both make knockoffs of the 7 class Singers and the parts are interchangeable. Don't know if this is true or not. Anybody have any input on this ? Or where to get them if it is so.

Does anyone have a source of presser feet for singer 7-5 machines? I have to sew a lot of webbing straps on horse blankets. They rip them off just about as fast as I can sew them on, and the foot I have works fine on leather but hangs up on the sedges of the webbing. I realize this has nothing to do with leather but if you have one of these machines people are going to bring you horse blankets to fix. This is especially true if you've retired after spending the last 30 years shoeing horses and all your former customers know you have the machine.

When I got my 97-10 it was already set up to use the class 7 needles, because I have a Singer 7-5 machine and had 7x4 needles on hand, that's what I went with. Too dumb to know the difference. Did however notice that there was interference with the needle bar when the foot was fully raised, " shudda beena clue " I haven't measured it, I will today but it seems like there is a hell of a lot more than 1/2 inch under the foot before the interference occurs. Reason I got into this whole 97 thing is because I want to leave the 7-5 set up for webbing, and use the 97 for leather. I rarely ever go over 1/2 inch so the current set up isn't really a problem, just annoys me that the machine can't be used to full capacity in case I need it. I have many friends with heavy horses, having kept Clydes and Shires myself for many years, and if they come dragging in some collars or traces I would like to be able to fix them. Had a Tippman for doing that years ago but gave it to a friend of mine who's retiring from his job and wants to do some leather work. I Like the old Singers cause it's nice to have something hanging around that's older than I am.

Cowboy Bob Yeah, but for THREE BUCKS they come with a lifetime guarantee, unfortunately, it's for the life of the needle.

Good question, just obsessed I guess. I also replaced the capacitor start capacitor run motor that came on the machine with an old repulsion start induction run motor, that really didn't make any sense either, but it sure looks more original to the machine. Anyway the info about Groz Beckert looks like it might pan out. I also went to the Chech site and sure nuff there was the 97-3 posted in clear English, when I tried to pull up info on the 97x4 the whole thing went Chech and that was that. AGAIN THANKS TO EVERBOBY for all the info.

Goldberg Supply in Flushing NY ( bad airport, worse drive ) still has NOS Singer 97x3 s in stock. Their web site still lists 97x4 s but they have been sold out for a long time. The 97x3 is a fabric point needle, the 97x4 is the leather point. In addition to Schmetz and Organ they carry a brand called Orange, don't know where they are located but I will research that soon as I finish this post. I am also going to research the possibility of a small specialty shop to make some of these, there are many shops that produce what are known as " findings " for the plating industry, different product but the same basic machinery to make it. THANKS TO EVERYONE for the information you have provided. Sorry I'm so obsessed with this but my 97-10 rates damn close to my 57 panhead chopper as machines that I'm fond of.

As small item manufacturing goes 10,000 is a small number, I would have expected a minimum order of 5 to 10 x that amount. I certainly don't know the market, but if one were to look outside the leather industry to the rigging and load handling gear manufacturers it shouldn't be too difficult to find commitments to buy some of them in a fairly sizable quantity. They would afterall, keep a machine in service that I'm guessing would cost 8 to 10,000 dollars to replace today. I may be just farting in my hat, but it might be worth looking into. What kind of prices was Schmetz asking? If in the .50 cent range you're only looking at 5,000 bucks, not really a large inventory investment by today's standards. O'course if you're trying to sell replacement machines you ain'ta gonna wanna do that

I haven't yet contacted any needle companies, but generally speaking manufacturers will produce an item of the type they make, made to your specifications providing you meet some minimum order requirement. Admittedly, that amount could be quite high. However, one may be able to get a commitment from several distributors to purchase a certain amount which cumulatively will meet the manufacturers minimum order requirement. Some enterprising youngster could possibly make some money doing this, if not one of us old farts may have to pull the wagon lest we run outta needles. Oh yeah, if you have a sample of what you want made it makes things a lot easier.

Oltoot They were certainly used in making parachutes, specifically the harness straps. Don't know if you've used one of these but the machine more closely resembles a metal punch press than a sewing machine. THANKS FOR THE STORY

If you have a lathe or a friend with one it's real easy to make an adapter to go on the shaft of one of those little hand cranked grinding wheels that clamp on a bench. They make a real fine bobbin winder. Cheap too!

I believe the 97-10 and the the 7-5 use the same needle 7x4 I use mostly 27s orders@allbrands.com has all you want or call them at 1-866-255-2726 or 1-800-739-7374