Singer 153K103

[Kustom]

Hello all,

Please give me the rundown on the Singer 153k103. Can it take 207 thread? How thick can it sew? Would it be good for wallets, computer bags and other personal items?

Thanks, Steve

[Art]

Hi Steve,

A very good light to medium weight machine. Won't do 207, not at all in my experience. All that I have seen complete run quite fast for leatherwork, the need to be slowed down or hand wheeled for close work. They don't have reverse, and will sew about 5/16" of most anything. Parts may be a little difficult to find.

Art

Hello all,

Please give me the rundown on the Singer 153k103. Can it take 207 thread? How thick can it sew? Would it be good for wallets, computer bags and other personal items?

Thanks, Steve

[Kustom]

Hi Steve,

A very good light to medium weight machine. Won't do 207, not at all in my experience. All that I have seen complete run quite fast for leatherwork, the need to be slowed down or hand wheeled for close work. They don't have reverse, and will sew about 5/16" of most anything. Parts may be a little difficult to find.

Art

Thanks Art. Can you tell me what the letter in the middle means? On singer machines I'll see machines with the same number but a different letter in the middle.

[Cobra Steve]

Kustom, most of the time it means made in different parts of the world. From Canada, to Great Britain to South America etc... Thanks, Steve

[Art]

Hi Steve,

The letter stands for where manufactured; in the case of k, it is Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland, which until 1980 was the largest (and still would be the largest if it was still operating) sewing machine factory in the world. In its heyday, it produced 15,000 machines a week, comprised 46 acres and had a 1 million square foot factory. It was built in about 1878 or so.

A w would stand for Elizabethport, New Jersey U.S.A.

Art

Hello all,

Please give me the rundown on the Singer 153k103. Can it take 207 thread? How thick can it sew? Would it be good for wallets, computer bags and other personal items?

Thanks, Steve

[Kustom]

Thanks for all the info guys. That's very cool.

[SteveBrambley]

Hi Steve,

The letter stands for where manufactured; in the case of k, it is Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland, which until 1980 was the largest (and still would be the largest if it was still operating) sewing machine factory in the world. In its heyday, it produced 15,000 machines a week, comprised 46 acres and had a 1 million square foot factory. It was built in about 1878 or so.

A w would stand for Elizabethport, New Jersey U.S.A.

Art

Art,

I think you will find that the 'W' Singer machines were made at the old 'Wheeler & Wilson' factory. Elizabethport machines seem to have no letter code, just a hyphen.

Steve