CowboyBob

The 16-188 has a top feed with teeth on the bottom of the feet this along with the teeth that the feed dogs have make it a poor choice for a leather machine,the 111w style of machine will work much better since it has a needle feed,the feed dogs can be smoothed down if needed & it'll still make even stitches. Bob

Singer sure made alot of great machines over the years but I'd have the think the type of belt they made for this one never held up.We all know how leather stretches after you use it..Maybe belting leather will hold up? We do get calls for the belt once in a while & we usually end up" fixing" the machine by selling them a 44 class machine which will fit in their table,sewing thicker & use up to #138 thread since they are like a mini 31-15. Keep us posted if you can make them work & they hold up. Bob

All we have are the feet & hook,needlbar,press bar.We had one a few years ago that we bought a feed dog & plate for $350.00 for them. Bob

They weigh 180-200Lbs it'll depend if the wax pot is still on the arm or not. Parts are very hard to get. They will sew easy 3/4" Price varies from $400.000-800.00

Trox, Those prices don't shock me at all with Pfaff,I called them today & asked what this machine was made for & they said for purses,shoes,pocketbooks & upholstery.The L is for leather & N is the 4.5mm stitch length. But not real heavy leather,maybe they have the feed dogs that way so they don't mark the bottom side. Bob

Trox, I'm almost certain that's a binding machine,that's why the feed dog doesn't go up & down,I've had a few 145 flatbeds Pfaff's like that too. Bob

Yes I've sold the 794S to people w/a 97 but I also tell you that you'll be limited to about 1/2" thickness. Bob

They use a 97x3 Round Point or 97x4 Leather Point one of a kind needle,I bought 300 5 yrs ago but they long gone. They are not being made anymore. I talked to Schmetz & they said if I bought 10,000 they would be happy to make them in one size only,I don 't think I'd ever be able to sell that many in 200yrs. Now if I could find 9 guys that want 1000 ea?? Bob

That's the problem to much play ,so mewhere,If you look at the bottom on the back side where the flat gear comes out of the arm,the slot on the backside that's were you shine a torch into & turn the machine around & look for thre little hole in the gearthat's were the screw is you might have to clean out the hiole to get at it,tighten it & see if that helps.

If you take the bobbincase out how much play to the left & right does the shuttle driver have?Sometimes the little screw in the gear loosens up & needs to be tightened up,or the gears could be worn out. Bob

Yes.it's a good machine for chaps,wallets & etc.It has a walking foot needle feed & no lower feed dogs to mark & it was made to sew leather. Bob

Here's the video: That video is with the old style motor as the motors now have a digital readout & 600Watts of power! Bob

Hey Randy,I just thought I'd mention that maybe you might not attend the shows we do as we go to shows @ Sheridan,Whichita Falls,TX,the Harness Makers & that's about it since Wickenburg(2000 mi) & some the the other shows are just to darn far to go. Maybe we'll get to meet you at one of the above along with some other people from this fine board? Thanks,Bob

It looks like a great job there,better than handcrankin it?Have you ever ran one of those machines much?I've always wondered how they hold up? Bob

Okay, Here's a sample underneath sewn on the same CB 4500 S needle on left & D on right. Bob

Since this is the needle section I frequently ask abiout needle points here is a comparison of the D vs S point of Schmetz #1 being the S point & you can see how much finer the needle hole looks .You can plainly see the larger hole in sample#2 that is because there's a cut on the side the S point only make a cut parallel with the line of stitching with alot smaller hole.These were both done w/#277 thread & #25 needle. Bob

Ricardo, Your very welcome,I always try to do the best I can. And if you ever have any questions please call anytime. Thanks, Bob

We have them along with the matching needle plate & feed dog if needed. Bob

Art, You are correct the Pfaff uses the 134-35 & the 135x17 is like 1 mm different & seem the work as well.NOW what I was refering to is the needle package he shows in the picture is the 134 aka 135x5,135x7 which is 11/2" long are the wrong ones for this machine & I felt that that is the one he's using in his machine(since there in the pic) & it looked like the needlebar almost hits the foot & he should adjust for the longer correct needle. Bob

It will not make a difference on your tension but you are using the wrong needle for this machine if you notice the one pic where the needlebar is almost hitting the foot,well as you sew & go over a heavy seam it will hit & break off your needlebar thread guide.You need to have a 135x17 or 135x16 which is a leather point & the correct needle for this machine which is 1/4" longer & will require theneedlebar to be raised up 1/4" then it won't hit the foot. Bob

If you try to make the 135x16 work on a 31-15 you will have to take the needlebar thread guide off & everytime you change needles the needle clamp will fall off,the 135x16 are 13/4" long & the correct needle is 1/1/2" long. Bob

None of the 7's ever had needle feed,this one has a walking foot,it would probably sew the belts ok but it's a little to big of a machine f/wallets & thinner sewing.

http://parts.singerco.com/IPpartCharts/7-1_to_7-55.pdf

There is alot of different models of the 7 class,probaly close to 80,I don't remember seeing a 7-30,do you have a pic? Bob

It can be tweaked a little & get close to 3/8" footlift but it'll never sew that thick & the largest thread is #138. The is a shortarm version of a 31-15 w/a viabrating foot, Bob