yachtyman

I know this topic has been beat to death, but I can't seem to find a decent servo motor in stock anywhere. This is for a singer 144w302 so I would like to find a 750w motor or larger if possible. Thanks!

If I zoom in on the tag I see 7-31

So after cleaning up the machine and doing a bit more research, it looks like the foot lifts about 5/8". I have a machine shop at home and would like to modify the machine if possible, but the needle bar looks like it can go another 3/8" or so higher without hitting the bottom of the casting as it sits. I would love to get a bit more out of the machine. I did some sewing with it by hand and with the needle that came with the machine. It seems to work well, and had no trouble punching right through 3 layers of thick lifting strap. Which brings me to my next question. What size motor is acceptable for a machine of this caliber? The beefy old motor that came on it was 1/2 hp, but it has an internal short and I can't seem to get it to work. Most of the motors I look at look kinda underpowered for something of this size.

Thanks again for all your replies. That ismacs site cleared things up a bit.

lol I apologize if I come off as green, and I appreciate you setting me straight. I am from a world where machines are just called model numbers, and a class would refer to a size or a series, usually in some sort of order. Just seems strange to me that they jump all over the place, instead of class 1, 2, 3, etc. It makes it difficult/impossible to tell anything from the model number, unless you are already familiar with them. I guess I was just confused! Thank you again

I have been cleaning up my new singer 7-9 and it got me thinking about different classes of sewing machines. When I started researching the machine when I got it home, everyone refers to it as a class 7 machine. Yet when I look up classes of sewing machine the only things I get are people holding classes on sewing. Is there a chart or general guidelines for different class of machines? What class would a 111-155 fall under? Why do some machines fall under a class, when other don't? It seems strange that there is no info out there on it. I would love to hear others thoughts

I posted some pics in the gallery section, it would let me upload larger pics there.

Thanks! I am going to take a closer look this weekend and see what I can figure out. From what I have found the 7-34 is the closest brother to the 7-9. I think the 7-34 replaced the 7-9, but I don't know what the differences are. The other issue is the presser foot. All the other pics I find on singer class 7 machines, the foot is double sided. Mine is single sided and doesn't look to be broken. The machine did not come with the original foot and I'm guessing parts for these are not common. Does anyone know where I might be able to locate a foot for this machine? I tried to post some pics but I cannot figure out how to take pics with my new phone in low enough resolution to be under 1.6mb

Thanks for the reply! I don't do much leatherwork, but lately I have been making bags from really heavy materials and using seatbelt material for the banding, and lifting straps for the handles. I made one a few nights ago out of some trampoline material and there were spots that would not fit under the foot of my 111-155. The next morning I was browsing craigslist and saw this machine for next to nothing. I think it will work great for my use if I can get it up and running. It also has about twice the height under the arm, and another 5-6 inches of width

I have been using and enjoying my 111-155, I decided I wanted to look for a machine that could go through some thicker material. I picked up a 7-9 this morning for a song that I was told worked before the previous owner passed a few years ago. The price was so good I just spun it over by hand a few times and loaded her up. The motor is locked up but thats not the end of the world. Once I got into cleaning it I noticed the needle and the presser foot lift quite high, but the inside foot is only lifting about 1/8". I didn't notice many adjustments on this machine and couldn't locate one for the inside foot. Am I doing something wrong? After looking this machine up, I can't seem to find much info on it. I found a manual online but it only tells what the machine is used for, and a parts list. What style of needles does this use? This machine looks a lot more simple than the 111-155. Also I read that they could be altered to sew thicker materials up to 1". I am curious if anyone has any experience with this.

I took apart the tension discs and cleaned them with acetone, then rubbed them on a small sharpening stone. There are some small grooves that show after using the stone but I can't feel them with my fingernail. I reassembled and ran some passes on the same material and now seem to be getting some tension. Yes they are 22/140 needles.

I am using the needles and thread that came with the machine. A new pack of schmetz industrial leather needles 135x16, and the thread is white colored 138 bonded polyester. I will take off the tension discs and post some pics of what I'm working with.Thanks!

Hi there I am just getting into sewing as a hobby and would like to make some bags for my sailboat out of various heavy materials among other small projects. A friend of mine gave me what I believe is a singer 111w155 (the label has been removed). I had to do a bit of research to figure out how to retime the machine, it was 1 tooth off on the timing belt. I set needle height and all that according to the manual, and got it sewing. The problem I am having is I can't seem to get enough top tension, no matter what I do. According what I've been reading, I have too loose top tension or too tight bottom tension. I have tried every combination from having the top tention loose to all the way tight, and same thing with the bottom tension. I tried every combination from tight to loose enough for the spring screw to fall out (luckily I found it in the carpet). I still get the same results. The top stitch looks ok most of the time from above, bottom stitch is loose and can see the top stitch poking through to the bottom. I am new to sewing but I have worked as a machinist for 10 yrs, so not new to precision mechanical stuff. I have checked and rechecked that I'm threading the machine correctly, and using new needles. I have gotten the machine to make a few good looking stitches, but then I change nothing and make another stitch on the same material and it's all screwed up. The material I have been sewing is some pvc coated fabric I used to make covers for my milling machine, it was all I have on hand before I order something else. I have searched a fair amount and cant seem to find anybody else with the same issues. I am guessing I need some new parts, or I'm missing some other adjustment. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks!