outcast Report post Posted June 5, 2010 I don't know a thing about these machines except that they run good & are supposed to be able to sew leather. I did see the singer run & sewed through some 6-7 oz folded over...no problem sewing it. I paid $300 for the singer & was given the pfaff, a bench, some spools of thread, a flexible light thing, and a jar full of bobbins for the singer. The pfaff is supposed to be continuous thread whatever that means, and the singer has no reverse. So, I think I made out ok, but would like to more about these machines, what I can use them for, & what they might be worth. Did I do ok, or should I takem to the dump. Any help from you guys would be appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 5, 2010 I don't know a thing about these machines except that they run good & are supposed to be able to sew leather. I did see the singer run & sewed through some 6-7 oz folded over...no problem sewing it. I paid $300 for the singer & was given the pfaff, a bench, some spools of thread, a flexible light thing, and a jar full of bobbins for the singer. The pfaff is supposed to be continuous thread whatever that means, and the singer has no reverse. So, I think I made out ok, but would like to more about these machines, what I can use them for, & what they might be worth. Did I do ok, or should I takem to the dump. Any help from you guys would be appreciated. The Singer is made to topstitch parts on shirts and underwear, while the Pfaff chainstitch machine is designed to sew the inside seams on shirts and underwear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outcast Report post Posted June 5, 2010 The Singer is made to topstitch parts on shirts and underwear, while the Pfaff chainstitch machine is designed to sew the inside seams on shirts and underwear. Hmm, the last thing I want to do is make underwear......you mean leather underwear...thongs? Nah, still don't wanna go there. How versatile are these machines? I got these from a guy who is selling his shoe & leather repair shop. I would like to use one to make some tuck & roll leather motorcycle seats. Ya think an underwear machine can do that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 5, 2010 Hmm, the last thing I want to do is make underwear......you mean leather underwear...thongs? Nah, still don't wanna go there. How versatile are these machines? I got these from a guy who is selling his shoe & leather repair shop. I would like to use one to make some tuck & roll leather motorcycle seats. Ya think an underwear machine can do that? Not really, unless you change the Singer's pressor foot into a roller foot assembly. You will be limited to #69 bonded nylon thread and will probably have to ensure that no folded seams exceed 1/4". Since you already have the machine there is nothing to lose in experimenting with different pressor feet and feed dogs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outcast Report post Posted June 6, 2010 OK I guess I should have looked at the machines a little closer. The guy I bought it from give me a slip of paper with those numbers wrote on it, said it was the model #, but after closer inspection of the machines I found a brass tag on the singer that is stamped 111w101, and the pfaff is stamped 85483-814/01-6/01 X4 8. I'm pretty sure the singer is for leather....not sure about the pfaff...might be for underwear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 6, 2010 OK I guess I should have looked at the machines a little closer. The guy I bought it from give me a slip of paper with those numbers wrote on it, said it was the model #, but after closer inspection of the machines I found a brass tag on the singer that is stamped 111w101, and the pfaff is stamped 85483-814/01-6/01 X4 8. I'm pretty sure the singer is for leather....not sure about the pfaff...might be for underwear. A Singer 111 is a whole nuther story. I couldn't see the pressor foot in your photo, so I went by the model number you gave us. That is one of their first walking foot machines. It can sew a solid 1/4" of belt leather, and maybe a little more. It can handle #138 thread, top and bottom and takes the common 135x16/17 industrial needle system, which tops out with a #25 needle. Parts and accessories are readily available for all of the 111 series machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outcast Report post Posted June 7, 2010 A Singer 111 is a whole nuther story. I couldn't see the pressor foot in your photo, so I went by the model number you gave us. That is one of their first walking foot machines. It can sew a solid 1/4" of belt leather, and maybe a little more. It can handle #138 thread, top and bottom and takes the common 135x16/17 industrial needle system, which tops out with a #25 needle. Parts and accessories are readily available for all of the 111 series machines. Thanks wiz! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 7, 2010 Thanks wiz! You're most welcome! Once you have cleaned and oiled the Singer, you should replace the old clutch motor with a new DC gear reduction servo motor with a 2" pulley. Get a V belt in the length that allows the motor to be in the middle of the adjuster screw range, with normal tightness (1/2" deflection in the middle). Bob Kovar of Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines sells these motors. I have one and like it just fine. It has plenty of startup torque and can be controlled from a few rpm to 1500 rpm. It is a bolt on replacement for a standard clutch motor with a three point mounting bracket. If your motor is mounted differently you will need to drill 3 new bolt holes through the table. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outcast Report post Posted June 8, 2010 You're most welcome! Once you have cleaned and oiled the Singer, you should replace the old clutch motor with a new DC gear reduction servo motor with a 2" pulley. Get a V belt in the length that allows the motor to be in the middle of the adjuster screw range, with normal tightness (1/2" deflection in the middle). Bob Kovar of Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines sells these motors. I have one and like it just fine. It has plenty of startup torque and can be controlled from a few rpm to 1500 rpm. It is a bolt on replacement for a standard clutch motor with a three point mounting bracket. If your motor is mounted differently you will need to drill 3 new bolt holes through the table. Would the new servo motor give me reverse? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
busted Report post Posted June 8, 2010 (edited) I don't know a thing about these machines except that they run good & are supposed to be able to sew leather. I did see the singer run & sewed through some 6-7 oz folded over...no problem sewing it. I paid $300 for the singer & was given the pfaff, a bench, some spools of thread, a flexible light thing, and a jar full of bobbins for the singer. The pfaff is supposed to be continuous thread whatever that means, and the singer has no reverse. So, I think I made out ok, but would like to more about these machines, what I can use them for, & what they might be worth. Did I do ok, or should I takem to the dump. Any help from you guys would be appreciated. http://www.tpub.com/ase1/19.htm This is a web site that has the maintenance manual for your Singer 111. It explains what it will do and what it will not do.I think ya' done good. The singer should sew your seats with no problem. Edited June 8, 2010 by busted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites