Bellflory

The members here also manage to reply to the endless questions without making people feel stupid/foolish for asking.

A huge thanks to Wiz, Constabulary, Matt S and others for all the generous sharing of knowledge. I have the $75 Singer 168W101 fitted with a new servo and speed reducer and OHMYGOD!!! This thing is amazing! It makes the perfect stitch through 2 layers of 2 oz leather all the way up to nearly a half-inch stack of 6 oz. Not just sewing each one, but walking over the thin up onto the half-inch, no need to touch the handwheel at a controllable one stitch per second. Bob Kovar of Toledo industrial was a great resource for belts and reducers etc. and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend purchasing from him. The only downside of this whole thing is the many hours needed to read through all the interesting posts. Every time I think it's time to get busy doing something else, I find another topic packed with info that sucks me back down into my chair. Thanks, guys, you rock! Victoria

Thanks Wiz, I'll look into a speed reducer. I'm not much of a fabricator, so I think I'll call Toledo and see if they have something I can use.

Hey All, I got the 168W disassembled, cleaned and reassembled. It makes a beautiful stitch. My question, I installed a Reliable 6000sm brushless servo and it seems to power the machine pretty well, but I have to hand turn the wheel to get it started. I used to have to do that with my old Consew 18, but it had a loose clutch motor. When I hand-start it with the balance wheel, it sews 3 layers of 5oz leather beautifully. Do you think the servo is underpowered for this beast of a machine, or would that be usual for a machine this heavy? It's just the servo, no speed reducer or synchronizer. Without the motor attached it turns but takes a bit of effort, not as easy as the smaller 18 or singer 17-23. Thanks for all your help!

I dont know if you're interested still, but I have parts list & numbers for this machine. I could send you a copy.

well Matt I got the timing belt on & timed. It wasn't too bad after I got the wheel off. This machine is DIRTY, but so far it's cleaning up nicely. Now on to the front and the post, tensioner and finishing timing.

Belt's installed, it wasn't too bad other than getting the wheel off & tight quarters. Timing was pretty straightforward too. Now to tackle the post, tension and finish timing. Wish me luck!

That's the plan. I'm hoping it's one of those places where small hands are an advantage. I'm gonna get started on it tomorrow. I've had the wheel sitting with Kroil penetrating oil for a couple of days. The belt should be here soon, I got it from Toledo. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks Glenn, did you take the wheel off and if so how difficult was it?

Great idea!

Thanks, I'll look for parts that way too.

I have a parts manual, it's pretty thorough. If I can get the wheel off, I think I can get it changed. The trick will be getting that bad dad loose. Might be worth it to invest in a wheel puller. It's pretty dirty so I pretty much have to go all the way through it anyway.

Thanks Wiz, I will do that.

Thanks for the info Matt. I also bought a Singer 168W101 at the same time. It looks to be complete except for a broken timing belt. The belt is there, so I think I'll try measuring it to find one. SP has one, but it's $100 and that seems a tad expensive. I'm almost done with the 17, then on to the 168. I also have an old Consew 18 that my mom started business with when I was a kid (a LONG time ago). How would I date these machines?

Not sure if you can see it, but a badge has been removed & rivets sanded off. This is the machine where I found it. It cleaned up like a new dime! All is there & tight except for a needle bracket & bobbins. I have to get needles & time it THEN work on the table & mount a servo. I paid $75 and the servo will cost a couple hundred. I'm happy!

Hi all, I have another question about the Singer class 17 I'm working on. I saw that it was rebadged while I was cleaning it. The current badge is a 17-23, but I found an old badge in the drawer that read 17-21. My questions are: why would someone rebadge this machine and what might I look for that would be different between the two? It seems like a lot of effort to remove the old badge and install a new one, so someone felt it necessary. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks Constabulary, that might be why I'm having so much trouble finding them. It didn't occur to me to research the clones, I'll try that. Any idea what a clone of the 168W101 would be? Again, thank you.

Hi guys, I've been a long time lurker but finally got my own membership! I'm hoping you can help me find a service manual for my Singer 17-23. I have an owners manual, and a parts list but am striking out on the service manual. I'd like to do a total tear-down but don't quite have my ducks in a row yet. I also have a Singer 168w101 post machine that needs a new timing belt and thorough cleaning. I have a parts list for it, but a service manual would be sooooo helpful. I sew mostly leather handbags and backpacks and these are a couple of new babies for my growing sewing machine collection. Thanks for all the help I've been sneaking out of you for all these years!