153W102 questions: needle choice, feed reg spindle length

[rlevine]

I've just finished disassembling/reassembling a Singer 153W102 for bag work, and have some some random questions.

First, many thanks to folks here for the snippets of information they've contributed over the years. The forum has been an invaluable source for me, as a newbie, as I've puzzled out how machines should work and how mine do or don't. For the 153W, @Uwe's insights and videos on the 153W102 feed length bits and on Singer safety clutches generally, and Eric/@gottaknow's video on safety clutches and his precise description of setting timing when there's lash in the hook gears all helped me tackle this rehab. (I haven't seen recent postings from Eric; I do hope he's still around and kicking!) 

Three questions:

• Is there any rationale for setting up the machine with 135x17 vs 135x7 needles? This one came with a 135x17, and when I set it up I put it back to the Singer-suggested 135x7, as the nice needle bar engravings were there for the shorter needles. I use both on other machines in the shop, so there's no scarcity argument to be made. The only possible reason I see is that I have one presser foot that has a higher hinge hump, and it'll collide with the needle bar when the foot is lifted and needle bar height is set up for the 135x7.
• Likewise, what's the functional difference between single row and double row feed dogs? I have both, and both plates, but I think the double was the original.
• And last, could anyone with one of the machines that has a functioning stitch length mechanism please measure the length of their feed regulating spindle for me? On mine, the spindle threads are intact, but I think the spindle might have been shortened from its original length. I can get barely get to 3mm (no longer than 9/in) and I'm wondering if the issue is that the spindle doesn't push in far enough to rotate the eccentric past that length. (I know I can lock the eccentric at a longer stitch length, but I'm trying to make it work as intended.) The spindle on mine has just shy of 140mm of shaft exposed past the knob shoulder. Pics attached.

Thanks!

Rick

 

[Gump]

I made the mistake of taking out the rod once. I had to remove the set screw and back off the adjustment screw under the locking set screw, which is inside the head. Then insert the rod and adjust the screw from there to get your stitch length. Others may explain better, but my rod wouldn't go back in to even screw thread depth until I backed off the adjustment screw. The adjustment is on the rod on the crank that goes down to feed assembly.  Gump.

[CowboyBob]

Turn your spindle all the way in ,take out screw BB,turn screw CC all the way in until it stops & re-install screw CC will make your stitch length longer.

If you use the shorter 135x5 needles you won't break as many as the longer 135x17.

If you sewing canvas the double row feed dogs will work better.

[rlevine]

@CowboyBob, thanks for the info, and pointer to the manual. (And apologies it's taken me so long to reply; work on the machine got preempted by life. *sigh*)

Thanks for pointing me back to the manual. I was working on getting the feed dog eccentric in sync, and didn't realize I had undone the spindle position. 

Rick