Old Singer machines suitable for leatherworking?

[Redbeeerd]

Hey all!

I'm a beginner and I'm not looking to spend much as I have a tendency to go overboard a bit when digging into new things... 

Initially I see myself doing belts, gun slings, shaving kits, maybe gloves, eventually a pair of boots (I have a fixation with making myself a pair of boots before I die)

Are there any particular old Singer machines that are suitable for leatherworking? Preferably not electric since that is an area I'm not comfortable in exploring. I live in Sweden and there are tons of Singers being sold for next to nothing (30-40 bucks) but I have no clue what to look for. Anyone have an idea or two?

 

EDIT: nevermind, electric are of interest as well

Edited December 30, 2022 by Redbeeerd

[Constabulary]

"Old Singers" can means everything and nothing . Singer made hundreds of different industrial and domestic machines and made dozens of leather sewing machines for different kind of leather work. I`m using vintage Singer sewing machines only (nothing else). So it depends on what kind of leather products you want to make and what Singer sewing machine models you are talking about. If you mean the small domestic machine with treadle base - well you may be able to sew some garment type leather with them with thin thread but sewing belts, boots, holsters or bridles is not possible.

Maybe this thread helps to narrow downs what type of machine could suit your needs

 

[Redbeeerd]

Thanks for that link, it gives me a lot of information I definitely need.

You're spot on with the problem I'm trying to solve: Singer has produced an insane amount of models and it is next to impossible for me to condense all the info on them down to something useful. I know a few have been mentioned like 111w155 and 31-150, but looking at Blocket (our Craigslist) I have counted at least 50 models the last two weeks alone.

I'll dig in and read som more but if someone has more advice if be happy!

[CowboyBob]

36 minutes ago, Redbeeerd said:

Thanks for that link, it gives me a lot of information I definitely need.

You're spot on with the problem I'm trying to solve: Singer has produced an insane amount of models and it is next to impossible for me to condense all the info on them down to something useful. I know a few have been mentioned like 111w155 and 31-150, but looking at Blocket (our Craigslist) I have counted at least 50 models the last two weeks alone.

I'll dig in and read som more but if someone has more advice if be happy!

The 111w155 will sew up to 20 oz.or 5/16" or 8mm thickness.With the walking foot,needle feed system it has it's great for even real thin wallets & etc.

Edited December 31, 2022 by CowboyBob

[Redbeeerd]

I will definitely look for one of those!

I have been offered a 29K(?) of some kind for 40 bucks. I've read it's not ideal but is it good enough to start out with?

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Redbeeerd said:

I have been offered a 29K(?) of some kind for 40 bucks. I've read it's not ideal but is it good enough to start out with?

The Singer 29 series are shoe and boot patchers. I use mine to sew embroidered patches onto vests and jackets. It is also good for getting into tight places like the sides of purses to sew on new strap tabs. In other words, this is a machine for repairing leather or patching leather goods. It is not for producing them, but can get you through until something better comes along.

The reason I don't recommend using a patcher as a production machine is because the small bobbin version has an absolutely tiny bobbin, with a quarter (1/4th) the capacity of a Singer 111. The large bobbin model has half the capacity of a Singer 111, or 211 walking foot machine. The drive is top only via teeth on the foot. The teeth will leave marks on the top of veg-tan leather. It can sew approximately 6mm to 7mm thickness. The stitches get very small at that thickness. The thread must be very thin to go any distance, so most patcher users run them with T70 in the bobbin for a small bobbin or T90 for the large bobbin models. This size thread is good for wallets and patches, or fixing loose seams in shoes or boots, but not so much for thick leather.

[Redbeeerd]

7 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

The Singer 29 series are shoe and boot patchers. I use mine to sew embroidered patches onto vests and jackets. It is also good for getting into tight places like the sides of purses to sew on new strap tabs. In other words, this is a machine for repairing leather or patching leather goods. It is not for producing them, but can get you through until something better comes along.

The reason I don't recommend using a patcher as a production machine is because the small bobbin version has an absolutely tiny bobbin, with a quarter (1/4th) the capacity of a Singer 111. The large bobbin model has half the capacity of a Singer 111, or 211 walking foot machine. The drive is top only via teeth on the foot. The teeth will leave marks on the top of veg-tan leather. It can sew approximately 6mm to 7mm thickness. The stitches get very small at that thickness. The thread must be very thin to go any distance, so most patcher users run them with T70 in the bobbin for a small bobbin or T90 for the large bobbin models. This size thread is good for wallets and patches, or fixing loose seams in shoes or boots, but not so much for thick leather.

Perfect answer, thank you!

[Klara]

Is what is shown in the picture all that is being sold? Because I'd only buy a complete machine, with table/treadle. 

I'm not denying the usefulness of a sewing machine, but you do know that you don't need one for leather work, don't you? I'm asking because people often react with "you must have a powerful sewing machine" to my "I made it myself" and are rather surprised when I answer "oh no, it's sewn by hand".

 

[Constabulary]

To be honest - for 40 bucks I would buy this machine in a heartbeat. You do not need a treadle to run it. The short arm patchers are great for mounting on a board and hand crank them. It seems to be a 29K51 and the outer condition seems to be very good. Patchers are very versatile (I have the later 29K71) but as WIZ said they are not really machines for producing things. Anyway - great useful machines especially at that price. Just from the picture looks like the nuts for the tension units are missing (still available) and I´m not sure about the bobbin winder. The critical parts on this machine are the pinions in the gear box, they are special (fine teeth) and they are obsolete but considering the outer condition I would assume the pinions are still good cause the machine does not show much outer wear. If it was me I would buy it.

Edited January 1, 2023 by Constabulary

[kgg]

20 hours ago, Redbeeerd said:

I have been offered a 29K(?) of some kind for 40 bucks. I've read it's not ideal but is it good enough to start out with?

This maybe not the ideal machine to start out with but for $40 dollars I can't see how you could go wrong buying it. At some point you will find a need for a patcher. These are pretty versatile machines as they can be can be mounted to any flat table surface and hand cranked or mounted to a proper treadle base. Some of these machine were even driven with a domestic style motor mounted to the rear of the base.

kgg