Singer 111G156 saved from landfill

[johnnysingerfan]

Hello everyone. This is John from Norfolk England. I've just bought this rather sad looking Singer 111G156. It was from a house clearance company who sold it to me on ebay. As you can see it is rather rusty and dirty.

I already have a new Hightex cylinder arm machine, I was looking for an old Singer flatbed to compliment the cylinder arm, especially when working on larger items like car interiors etc.

I am relatively new to leather sewing and it is my hobby, not my job. I have used your site a lot for hints and tips. So I thought I would share my sewing machine rebuild in case it helps someone else like me in the future. My machine is finished now and I just have the table edge to complete next. 

I'll see if I can post some more photographs of the build. I replaced the hook, the timing belt, the motor was seized, so I now have a new servo motor. Everything was out of adjustment and needed lots of cleaning and polishing. The final machine has been sprayed with 2k epoxy paint, so it should be quite hardwearing for many years to come. 

The original serial number has been ground off and was painted over with the original grey paint, so it must have happened when the machine was made? It means I can't possibly date this machine but never mind. All the parts were original Simanco numbered parts, I don't think it had had much service history! It's been a fun project, as I'm more used to working on old cars, or making high tech parts for industry. 

[johnnysingerfan]

As you can see it hadn't been used for a very long time.....

[johnnysingerfan]

It didn't look too bad on the ebay photo. Note that the material under the foot is covering up the rust. 

The next photograph shows the machine ready to be sprayed

[johnnysingerfan]

So here is the singer and parts in 2k epoxy primer ready for the colour coats......

[johnnysingerfan]

Ok, so not original colours I know.........

I thought that as the machine was pretty much a lost cause, it wouldn't hurt to spray it a different colour. After all the machine is for me and not to sell on.

The machine has been slowed down to 1 stitch per second using homemade speed reducer pulleys and a servo motor. I added a synchroniser.

The singer logo was made from the photographs of what was left on the machine, it was supposed to be gold but turned almost black when applied to the red paint, so I won't worry about that.

As for sewing, I have been through 4mm thick veg tan using 20tkt thread without a problem. 

Next up is to replace the edge of the sewing table (wish I had an original Singer industrial table but never mind!) and to start using it in the evenings.

Good luck with all your sewing projects, I hope my little rebuild pics might inspire someone else to save a machine from the skip.

[kgg]

1 hour ago, johnnysingerfan said:

Ok, so not original colours I know.........

Very nice rebuild.

kgg

[ksteers]

Noice!

[dikman]

Very good job on the rebuild. Yeah, the colour's a bit "in your face" but hey, as you said it's your machine to do with as you wish.

Given the rust on it I'm surprised the table top hadn't suffered water damage.

[Wizcrafts]

There are aftermarket reproductions of Singer decals. I've seen them and they look as good as the originals.

[Handstitched]

19 hours ago, johnnysingerfan said:

Ok, so not original colours I know..

You're a bloody legend    I'm of the " restore , rebuild ,  fix up & re-use, make the old work again " ilk .   I quite like the red , it really is quite good  ( even when blue is my fave colour) 

Hope you have so much joy from it !!! 

HS