Singer 31-20`

[bikermutt07]

Thanks a lot. I don't have a machine yet, but ran across this thread when reading another about the 31-20. 

I just realized that some of these old machines can work for light leather.

This gives me a much cheaper option on a first machine. Something for thinner stuff now and later a big machine for the thicker stuff.

Thanks again.

[Wizcrafts]

2 minutes ago, bikermutt07 said:

Thanks a lot. I don't have a machine yet, but ran across this thread when reading another about the 31-20. 

I just realized that some of these old machines can work for light leather.

This gives me a much cheaper option on a first machine. Something for thinner stuff now and later a big machine for the thicker stuff.

Thanks again.

Yes, as long as it is thin, soft temper leather, sewn with thin thread and no larger than a #18 leather point needle. If the top grain happens to have a grabby texture, you will need to change the presser foot to either a roller or Teflon foot.

[mikesc]

A lot of machines will sew chrome tan garment weight leather..with the caveat that they may allow the leather to slide around a bit, or occasionally give uneven stitch length because they are not needle feed or combination feed..
Goat is "grabbier" than lamb, buffalo is "grabbier" than cow or calf..you can also sew through a single layer of tissue paper placed on top of whatever you are sewing ( not the "kleenex" type, the packaging type) or lightweight tracing paper, ( helps to make the top leather surface less "grabby", because it is between it and the foot ) ..tracing paper ( the cheap kind from an office supply shop ) is easier to see through than tissue paper..and if you ever get the chance to pick up a cheap ( like garage sale ) Pfaff select domestic machine ( they have what Pfaff call IDT..which is a synchronised "pulling" top feed foot , behind the normal foot, gives you a top and bottom feed machine that will handle a couple of layers of 1 to 3 oz lambskin, or go over seams consisting of two pieces of 1 to 2 oz lambskin ) ..the same machines are found bearing the name of Gritzner..and also Pfaff sold domestic machines with this extra pulling foot as Pfaff "jeans" machines. they are however domestic electric sewing machines, with motors of only 1.0 to 1.5 amps, so don't expect too much of them if the leather is hard, they will not like even thin veg tan..

Yes they are not designed for leather, and sewing leather will wear them out faster, but, for a beginner, or in a pinch, and if you come across one cheap.

The other "plus" for a beginner working lightweight leather, is these electric domestic machines I mentioned above, won't take off like a bat out of hell clutch driven one, and you can get them for less than a servo, if you are just starting out and want something to make some money to put by to buy a real leather machine from one of the dealers on here.

Edited October 19, 2016 by mikesc

[bikermutt07]

Thanks for that. I would like to eventually get a cowboy 3200. But it's just not possible these days.

[MADMAX22]

Ive got a 31-15 and it will handle the thin stuff just fine.Ya see alot of them  doing nice detail work with alot of curves and what not are being used. I have gotta  get mine set up for sewing wallet liners (gotta get another servo motor). They are beefier then the regular domestics or should I say bigger with a little bigger parts. Not by much.

How much are you looking to spend? Deals pop up on CL from time to time you just gotta be patient and quick to respond. 

[bikermutt07]

Just in the investigating phase for now. Most of the used listings don't list model numbers though. If I bring anything else home anytime soon my wife may flip.

[TinkerTailor]

21 hours ago, Art said:

When originally produced, these machines were designed for tailors.  They are not a heavy duty, or even a medium duty leather machine.  They are primarily used today to decorate boot tops.  That means they sew a 3-4 oz and sometimes a little more veg tan to a 3-4 oz calf liner.  They sew 33 to 46 thread really well and occasionally 69.  They are the heavy duty version of the standard sewing machine.  This machine would work for bags and wallets given that you keep things on the light side.  There is no reverse, you just have to do it "old school".  These puppies can run the gamut from tight like new to having clearances you can measure by sound.  For close-in and delicate leatherwork, a roller foot is a plus.  The modern day equivalent would be something like the Juki 5550.

Art 

Part of a 1939 photo documentary of a texas boot factory:

Edited October 20, 2016 by TinkerTailor

[TinkerTailor]

10 hours ago, bikermutt07 said:

Just in the investigating phase for now. Most of the used listings don't list model numbers though. If I bring anything else home anytime soon my wife may flip.

Part of the trick is finding the poorly listed machines. If it has the model and date on the listing, the person looked it up and knows. They likely will have priced it based on what they found online, ebay pricing that nobody actually paid......With old singers, getting the good deal frequently involves identifying industrial machines in pictures. Some of the industrials look like the size of domestics and can be mistaken. Also, any black singer is a leather machine and an industrial it seems. Don't fall for this one.... Tip: search for "grandpa sewing" "grandfather singer" and such. Grandkids sell off stuff they know nothing about after they inherit it. Frequently they will only list it as a "sewing machine", and post a picture. You don't want gramma Betty's quilting machine, you want grandpa Franks horse stuff sewin machine....

[bikermutt07]

Thanks , Tink.

[bikermutt07]

9 hours ago, TinkerTailor said:

Part of the trick is finding the poorly listed machines. If it has the model and date on the listing, the person looked it up and knows. They likely will have priced it based on what they found online, ebay pricing that nobody actually paid......With old singers, getting the good deal frequently involves identifying industrial machines in pictures. Some of the industrials look like the size of domestics and can be mistaken. Also, any black singer is a leather machine and an industrial it seems. Don't fall for this one.... Tip: search for "grandpa sewing" "grandfather singer" and such. Grandkids sell off stuff they know nothing about after they inherit it. Frequently they will only list it as a "sewing machine", and post a picture. You don't want gramma Betty's quilting machine, you want grandpa Franks horse stuff sewin machine....

Please clarify the part about black singers??? Are black singers all industrial / leather machines?