New (old) Singer machine.

[Freddy261]

Hello folks,

I'm a newbie to leather work and have made a handful of hand-stitched items.  However, I quite fancied machine sewing.

I have recently bought an old Singer; I think it is a 15k, but I'm not sure which variant or whether it is suitable for leather. I won't be sewing anything heavy yet, just up to 2mm leather - probably chrome tanned.

Do you know how to find the version of the machine I have?

Many thanks!

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by Freddy261
Text update

[AlZilla]

Well, the first half of 1907, anyway. No indication of the subclass. 

https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-s-series-serial-numbers.html

Doesn't really matter anyway. That machine should do 2mm garment leather, unless you get into too many layers. Get leather needles. Your thread will probably top out at v69.

Lube it well and listen to it. If it sounds like it's hammering, you're overtaxing it.

[Freddy261]

3 hours ago, AlZilla said:

Well, the first half of 1907, anyway. No indication of the subclass. 

https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-s-series-serial-numbers.html

Doesn't really matter anyway. That machine should do 2mm garment leather, unless you get into too many layers. Get leather needles. Your thread will probably top out at v69.

Lube it well and listen to it. If it sounds like it's hammering, you're overtaxing it.

Thank you. Leather needles are on order.

[fredk]

Whilst I found that my 15K would put a #16 needle through 1.5 -2mm upholstery grade chrome tan it could not advance it. I had to get a 'roller' foot attachment

[Wizcrafts]

The 15 class machines are bottom fed only. The presser foot's job is to hold down the material as the needle ascends. The feed dogs come up from the bottom and push the material backwards; away from you. If the material is heavy, as is leather, the feed dog teeth might slip due to the pressure exerted on top by the presser foot. This causes the stitch length to vary, or be unpredictable. You might thing that you'll just back off the pressure screw on top to make it easier to feed the leather. That might help to a certain point, which is reached when the leather starts lifting with the ascending needle. This causes skipped stitches, and, possibly, even a broken or bent needle.

In order to overcome the feeding problems of bottom fed machines, some people equip their sewing machines with roller feet. and a matching inline feed dog and throat plate.

All of this will be moot if the tiny motor is unable to power the machine as it tries to penetrate and feed the leather. It was this problem that led to the development of the class 15 industrial swing machines. These machines came out in the early 20th Century. The Singer 31-15 was popular with tailor shops, alterationists, costume makers, and garment factories..

If you bought this domestic machine with the intention of sewing leather, I recommend that you read my pinned topic about the type of sewing machine you need to sew leather.

[Freddy261]

Many thanks for the info and tips regarding feet.

I am in the process of sewing a bag for my daughter from 2mm chrome leather and am already thinking that the motor is struggling; I have replaced the old, slightly saggy, belt for a minor improvement.  Is there a slightly 'beefier' motor available as a straight bolt on?

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Freddy261 said:

Many thanks for the info and tips regarding feet.

I am in the process of sewing a bag for my daughter from 2mm chrome leather and am already thinking that the motor is struggling; I have replaced the old, slightly saggy, belt for a minor improvement.  Is there a slightly 'beefier' motor available as a straight bolt on?

There are newer mini motors that have at least twice the power of the originals from yesteryear. They should be paired with a new electronically controlled speed pedal. You'll have all new wiring that shouldn't overheat and burn up like the old wiring tends to do after 50 or more years. You can find combos of a high power motor and matching control pedal on eBay and Amazon. Look for one compatible with your Singer 15k. Or, PM me if you need help finding the proper pedal. Your wall connector will be different that ours in the USA.

[Freddy261]

On 1/3/2025 at 4:54 PM, Wizcrafts said:

There are newer mini motors that have at least twice the power of the originals from yesteryear. They should be paired with a new electronically controlled speed pedal. You'll have all new wiring that shouldn't overheat and burn up like the old wiring tends to do after 50 or more years. You can find combos of a high power motor and matching control pedal on eBay and Amazon. Look for one compatible with your Singer 15k. Or, PM me if you need help finding the proper pedal. Your wall connector will be different that ours in the USA.

Good morning Wiz.

Thank you for the information, very helpful!

Unfortunately, I am struggling to find a suitable motor - I don't want something quick, just with more torque and modern (safe) wiring.  The closest I have come is a unit from the YDK brand, like this:  https://coulingsewingmachines.co.uk/sewing-machine-motor-foot-control-kit-ydk-with-belt-and-bracket/

I have looked at some Chinese options from AliExpress and Temu but am unclear which ones are suitable.

Finances are tight, so keeping the costs down is paramount.  

[AlZilla]

How about this one, 180 watt:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176452435645

Or this 250 watt:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333634374457

If you're mechanically inclined at all, I'd think you could engineer a little pulley reduction setup to increase torque even more without too much expense.

Like so:

 

Edited 5 hours ago by AlZilla

[nejcek74]

As I don't trust Aliexpress too much, I bough this one from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canilla-Machine-8-000RPM-Controller-Accessories/dp/B07SDP5FHB?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

I run some small industrial machines with it: a Merrow butt-stitcher,  a Yamato over-stitcher and a Dearborn blind-stitcher. Frankly I don't know if they are any different than usual ebay/aliexpress motors, but at least you know whom to complain.