willn

Hello, guys (and gals). I was hoping someone could chime in on info on a Singer 552 series chainstitcher (not for leather). I really can't seem to find any info on these, and parts seem non-existent. Are they related at all to the venerable 300W? I've got a line one one for $50, but the dearth of information is putting me off....The particular one is a Singer 552x37, and appears to be 1 needle, 2 thread. Thanks! Will

Just a bump for this. I'd love to buy one!

Thanks for the replies, guys. Mark843, regarding warranty and service, I feel comfortable enough in my sewing machine wrenching skills to be able to fix just about any common problem I may encounter (with some help from the LW.net community!), otherwise, this would have never been an option....now if the arm had been broken off, different story. Blue duck, I gave up drinking but this almost made me wish I hadn't! I do miss the Eagle Rare. CowboyBob, I'm sure we'll be doing some business in the future. Any idea if a Singer 111w155 or other main arm shaft will fit a Singer 111w154?? I can't find the part (240502) in any of my usual sources, including the Superior Master Catalog, but there is one PN listed with no model # associated (Singer 240553). I'm eyeing a 111w154 rebuilder with a bent arm shaft. Thanks!!

Good afternoon all. Long time LW.net reader, second time poster. Just wanted to share my story about importing a Chinese clone 441 into the USA (Colorado). I've read lots of talk about these here and one gent's story of importing to New Zealand(?). I've never run across anyone's story regarding a USA import in detail. i'm not much of a leatherworker, but I do a fair amount of hobby sewing/upholstery/duffle bags and such. I plan on adding leather goods to the repertoire with this machine and top stitching canvas items my Juki 563 can't handle. FIRST OFF: i understand the value provided by a local or USA based dealer and I've purchased bits from Keystone Sewing and Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine. Thanks to Greg and Bob there for being great guys, and many thanks to LW.net posters for giving me the knowledge and confidence to rebuild my first industrial sewing machine, a Singer 112W145 2-needle drop feed. This place is an amazing resource. Special thanks to Gottaknow. We never dealt 'personally' but his posts are gold. OK, so I bought a 441 Clone from Taizhou Zuowen Industrial Sewing Machine Co (machine is branded 'MACEE'). IF you're considering this and get stars in your eyes by the $706 base price, get ready. There's a reason these things cost so much from your local dealer, and I'm not talking about base price/quality/get what you pay for. I'd like to share with you all every charge I incurred doing this myself (some are estimates, as I also brought in a 3-needle chainstitch with puller Model 3800-3PL): Base price (head/table/kinda wimpy servo 110VAC) $706 (Alibaba price is useless. $1-$999 is the listed price there. Seller quoted my inquiry) Sea freight + trucking: $556 Customs exam charge: $100 Courier charge: $35 ISF bond: $150 ISF (Filing fee?): $75 Customs clearance: $135 HC(big van rental??) $75 Duty: $319.41 (incl extra needles/feet/bits) Single importer bond purchase $75 Unloading charge: $125 In short: Machine: $706 Freight: $556 Customs/bond/misc handling: $1,089.41. GRAND TOTAL, LANDED COST IN DENVER, CO: $2351.41. I hope this isnt' rambling too much but here is some food for thought: Would I do it again? Not sure. I can't knock the seller for having crummy English. Their English is way better than my Chinese, but that just added to the difficulty of the transaction for a first time buyer. Incoterms, bills of lading, sea freight, warehousing, trucking, customs, purchasing bonds and all kinds of stuff I had no idea about came into play. It's been a great learning experience and I appreciate what people who do this routinely have to go through. Worst part was even the US people (Customs broker and US contact with sea freight company) didn't speak native English. YMMV. Order placed 18-OCT 2019. Hit the water 31-OCT. In California 13 days later. Stuck in customs for 2 weeks awaiting paperwork. Lots of calls from people asking me for things that I didn't even know what they were. More emails to seller (who was VERY helpful btw, even with her limited English). Landed at my work receiving dock 12-DEC in Arvada, CO. I HIGHLY recommend receiving it at your work if you have a dock/forklift/pallet jacks and your boss is cool with it. Saved me another $200 over residential delivery. Be prepared to sign over power of attorney to your broker/trucking company so they can take ownership on your behalf from the sea freight company. This will require a copy of your SSN. It took me an hour to find my card on the day my broker called and needed it THAT DAY or I'd incur late charges. This isn't like buying something and it shows up in your mailbox. You will be involved signing and scanning and emailing documents. You'll be getting calls at work from the sea freight co or trucker or customs broker. Your stuff may get stuck in customs. You'll need to wire money. Alibaba took credit card and has protections but my Customs broker company only takes wire. Be prepared to explain youself to your banker when you make the wire. They are very suspicious you're wiring $$$ to some random person who's scamming you. Look up your customs broker at the US Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP) website and tell your bank that USCBP has licensed this broker. That will make them feel better. First impressions are it's a fine looking, well built machine. Sewed right out of the box and wasn't covered in cosmoline near as bad as I'd thought. Pics later. So, there you have it ladies and gents. Hope this is helpful to someone. Will

Hello, gents (and ladies). Long time reader, first time poster. I hope this is an appropriate place to post looking for machine formation. I'm looking at a Singer 112W117 on ebay to add to the stable and I can't find anything on it. Tried here, college sewing, universal sewing supply, the superior master catalog, Mark Rofini's site, ISMACS...nothing! I did find one tiny blurb at the Smithsonian. Anyway, it looks to be a flatbed double-needle walking foot similar to 112w139, but w/o safety clutch and has the 'old style' stitch length adjuster. I'd really appreciate a parts list and/or user manual if anyone's got one (looking at you, GottaKnow ). You guys inspired me to take on my first industrial rebuild, a 112W145 double needle drop feed only machine. Couldn't say no to $40 LOL. I've also got a Juki 563 for my 'normal' sewing. Thanks to all for inspiration and information! Keystone, Cowboy Bob, GottaKnow, Uwe, Wizcrafts, and countless others. Thanks in advance! Will