Singer 17U123

[Metalhorseman]

Hi everyone, came across this machine Singer 17u123 , just the Head is available, but can’t find out much about it? Looking to purchase but need to find out what and  if needles and bobbins are available . I wanna sew light leather stuff and Canvas with it . Need manual to make sure machines all there. Sorry still struggling with adding pics . Don’t wanna buy another boat anchor. 
   Also only thing comes up for manual is a 17-23 ,, and I can’t retrieve/open to see machine .. very odd .

Thanks for all info .!!. Metalhorseman

Edited 6 hours ago by Metalhorseman

[Constabulary]

The 17U model was made in Japan the 123 subclass has smaller diameter arm compared with other Class 17 machines and it is using Singer 15 type bobbin cases and bobbins. Apart from the hook / bobbin you should be able to use any other 17U model manual you find online. The subclasses usualy just have minor differences but the main machine often is the same.

Check if needle plate and feed dog are present and in good order and see that the machine is complete in the hook area - see parts list for that or post more detailed pictures.

Edited 4 hours ago by Constabulary

[Metalhorseman]

Thanks Constabulary ! Do you know if uses 135x16,135x17 needles ? 
   One of the first things I found said machine uses 16x74 and is a obsolete needle system, then it says 16x2 and 16x1 is the modern equivalent and another AI mode thing said 135x17 is same needle system as 16x2 system ,so that gets me confused . Hope to find manual to study before I drive 50miles to see. Traffic here is no joke 😩

[Constabulary]

Fxck AI - don´t trust it too much. Not sure what needle this subclass is using but you can use different needle systems with the smae shaft diameter but have to alter the needle bar height. That usually it not big deal. Singer 16 (more common is 287 or 1738 as needle system) have a 1.63mm diameter IIRC and 135x17 have 2mm diameter needle shaft. It may work but you have to try it. Or you try to find a needle bar that ex factory is made for 2mm shaft needles. I did that with my old Singer 51w but it using a different needle bar that does not fit the Singer 17. 

EDIT:

oh- BTW I once owned a 34K that ex factory is using a 2mm shaft needle and I had to replace the NB and I took one from a Singer 17 (!!!) and the machine after the NB replacement worked with the 2mm shaft needles but ex factory the NB was made for Singer 16 needles (as yours) so I would just try the needles and adjusts the the NB in height. Worth trying - never say no - just try it. But hand crank the machine before you are using it with a motor.

This was my hunt for a Singer 34K NB 10 yrs ago 😅

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/66729-singer-needle-bar-i-could-use-some-help/

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Constabulary

[friquant]

Some needle bars appear to accept either shank diameter (1.6mm or 2mm) but the hook to needle distance is affected. Also where the needle lands in the throat plate is affected.

When using round shank needles of the wrong diameter, you may be able to make up the geometry difference by rotating the needle bar a certain amount. (Meaning the needle clamp would protrude at some odd angle instead of protruding straight to the right)

At least that was my fix at the time when I thought I had a bent needle bar in my Singer 31-15. Eventually I checked the needle bar on a thick piece of glass and found it to be straight, and ended up determining that the machine actually needed 2.0mm shanked needles for the needle to line up with the throat plate. That was such a happy discovery ⭐