Darren Brosowski

Serial numbers. Singer issued serial numbers of batches so they do not specify the build date. The machine was built sometime between when the batch was issued and the next batch for that machine type. Usually batches for common machine types such as the 31 would have covered multiple versions as the serial number is just for the class. Every now and then there are batches of serial numbers for 10 or 20 machines and these could represent SV's or a special rush order from sales - we will never know.

I have had a few SV machines over the years and most were early versions of machines that later became standard while others were standard machines with a special attachment. 24KSV - I have it around somewhere - is a standard industrial 24k with an attachment to sew circles. The attachment was designed to sew Powder Puffs.I am going to dig this baby out as a close friend has a design that involves making circles 96KSV7 - 96k with reverse, replaced by the 96k41 133KSV12 - darning machine. Quite common in Australia as they were used to repair wool packs. Later formalised as, I think, the 133k19

Not sure what you mean by the 31-15 "not being designed for" a roller foot. Most machines take any standard high shank foot which includes the roller foot. The special presser bar is the style used on the 31 class roller foot, roller feed machines and while not necessary is more solid than the screw on version

These patchers were built by a number of companies in Europe, mostly Germany but Bradbury built them in the UK as well as companies in Italy, Switzerland and elsewhere. The "ABLE290" I sell is a Chinese interpretation of a portable version.

Leather belts can stretch a bit over time. It needs to be pretty tight. A 29 should turn over very easily and if it is tight then there may be an issue with the machine.

Could also be as simple as the thread not coming off the top spool evenly

It amazes me that people think a sewing machine that makes an income is too expensive when they are happy to borrow $35k or more to buy a car that looks pretty and does nothing but lose value and provide no income

The original machine in this thread reminds me more of a carpet sewing machine than anything else but the fact that it obviously clamps to a bench ruins that theory

Love the colour of the patcher. I usually repaint them black but a dark red colour could be on the way!!

Not being a sponsor of the site I will not do that but I do not mind mentioning if I have a product that nobody else seems to sell

The feet remind me of the set I sell to do outsole seaming with the CB4500

The bottom shaft is driven by a geared shaft and there are caps over the hears themselves top and bottom. Pull them off, bottom first and look at the grease. It can get so hard that it will jam up the gears. Please do not swear at me too much when you put the top set back together

GrayWolf, not every needle type is available in every size. I sell the 15X2 in 16 and 18g because I need to buy 1000 packs of each at a time to get a good price. The supplier makes a 21 but not 22g. Even if they made 22g I would not stock in quantity because I would be wary about advertising them as they should only be used in an oscillating shuttle cast iron machine.

To save $US7k most people will handwheel through and use the presser foot lift if they have to.

I am not sure if the mounting holes on the Cobra head are done in China or the USA but they are not standard on the 441. Both types of guides have their pluses and minuses but I prefer the bed mounted one as it has a thicker roller.

The material is a bastard to sew regardless of the machine. In theory a compound feed machine when well set up should be perfect in both directions but it does not a;ways work in reality/

Biggest problem with horizontal hook machines is that people do not always pull the new bobbin thread through the shuttle spring

Would not have guessed on this one. I have supplied blanket stitch machines but they look more like an overlocker

In terms of build quality I am happy to state that these are the roughest machines ever built. Virtually every part is modified to fit the frame so that the machine will work. On the other hand the bloody things are almost indestructible once they are set up properly. Recently someone asked me to fix one of the machines I sold 6 years ago - they bought it at an auction. Once I cleaned the wasp nests out of the needle bar it worked perfectly

Sorry to hear that Doc. A sewing machine is just another lump of metal unless you use it for its intended purpous..

Just to complicate things there is the 7205BV which is an entirely different machine...

MADMAX22 There are three different external bobbin winders on the market and the one pictured is the mid range version. The gold coloured type is the simpler and, naturally, cheaper version. Top of the line is the ADLER type that has a worm driven arm that run the thread across the bobbin.

Could be as simple as the feed dog rubbing on the needle plate. Check that the spring on the stitch lever is secure and not floating around

The worldwide market for 441 machines is 2-3000 per year and by Chinese standards this is tiny. Several companies might assemble the parts but when you consider that the moulds for the casting cost $US50,000 there is only on company that is casting the bodies. The forge tooling for the two conrods is probably another $US10,000 so there is only one supplier. The important thing is who sets the machine up before it is delivered. Some work beautifully out of the box but others take a lot of work to get running.

If the picture is the top then I agree with SARK that it could be the take up spring. The inner grooving foot should not cause a problem unless there is a burr on it somewhere so check that first. If the foot is clean an smooth then check the take up spring. There are two springs and it could be as simple as the spring you see on the outside is not locked into the primary spring. The loop on the primary spring can break off and the secondary spring just flops around