Singer 7-31

[simran]

I bought this old machine a few weeks ago. Just got the head & motor for it.

I had an original Singer 1/3hp 1750 rpm motor/clutch from another purchase some time back.

I ended up with,what looks like, a table from a surger I think.

The plan is to set the #7 down in the table flush with the center of the deck on the head itself.

These pics are from a phone and aren't so good

I've got it this far and took the table to have brackets made so it has something to set on inside the table after the hole is cut.

I've also got the clutch/ motor mounted under the table (no pic yet

Edited May 4, 2011 by simran

[Happy Hooligan]

that thing is huge! What does it weigh? I love it by the way.... how thick of a material can that sew through?

[simran]

that thing is huge! What does it weigh? I love it by the way.... how thick of a material can that sew through?

I've heard the head alone is 160+ I know it's a handful alone.

There are those out there that can pipe in here that are more familiar than I with this machine; but I think the foot lift is around 3/4".

I've heard it will stitch through 9/16" of material maybe a little more.

That said' I've heard they can be modified to stitch much heavier material by advancing the foot lift to over an inch somehow.

I know it will sew through the Sunday addition of the newspaper folded over but the needle gets pretty warm as it has

a needle point needle in it rather than a chisel point.

I need it to finish the packs I make from canvas & leather. By the time I fold over a pocket lid trimmed in leather so I can

stitch it on it is more than my current machine can handle.

I also wanted the ability to work on horse tack & harness.

This should do nicely; especially for what I paid for it.

A hobby guy can't afford to spend thousands on a machine.

Edited May 4, 2011 by simran

[lazyd]

There must be a surplus of class 7 machines in SD. I also picked one up a while back . It should work good for your canvas bags, from the info I have gathered , that is what they were used for. Mine is a 7-5. I wonder what the difference is ? I'm guessing mine is older ??? My wife printed off an instruction manual for a class 7 for me , let me know if you need it and i'll find the web site for you. I have been looking for a lift arm for mine as it is missing. so I can't use it . Know of any parts machines ??? I'm in eastern SD , Where are you ? -------------------Bill

[simran]

There must be a surplus of class 7 machines in SD. I also picked one up a while back . It should work good for your canvas bags, from the info I have gathered , that is what they were used for. Mine is a 7-5. I wonder what the difference is ? I'm guessing mine is older ??? My wife printed off an instruction manual for a class 7 for me , let me know if you need it and i'll find the web site for you. I have been looking for a lift arm for mine as it is missing. so I can't use it . Know of any parts machines ??? I'm in eastern SD , Where are you ? -------------------Bill

Bill,

This machine came from Wisconsin. I've been working there since before Christmas.

As for the difference between the two machines I can't say. I know that the 7-31 is identical to the 7-33 excepting the drive is different. The 7-31 was built with a clutch on the machine head to accommodate being powered by an overhead - flat belt - system. Mine, however has been converted to a table powered model but does still have remnants of the old clutch plate still attached to the balance wheel. It has a v belt pulley on it now.

Don't quote me on this but I think the 7-4 was a book binding machine. The book I looked at had references to the 7-5 as sewing canvas & leather. Maybe the difference is as simple as the foot lifting higher. Some of the models were built to accommodate thicker material.

What is the foot lift on your machine?

As far as parts I have none but you may want to PM Sewmun on this forum. I've read posts of his on another site. He knows a great deal about these old monster flat beds. He may have some parts machines around as well.

I PMed you about my location. We may have to get together some time.

[catskin]

It looks nearly identical to my Adler 20-2. I've been told that there is a Singer that is virtually identical so I am hoping one of the experts will tell me if this is it. With a bit of tinkering I have my 20-2 sewing 7/8 inchsof harness leather.

I bought this old machine a few weeks ago. Just got the head & motor for it.

I had an original Singer 1/3hp 1750 rpm motor/clutch from another purchase some time back.

I ended up with,what looks like, a table from a surger I think.

The plan is to set the #7 down in the table flush with the center of the deck on the head itself.

These pics are from a phone and aren't so good

I've got it this far and took the table to have brackets made so it has something to set on inside the table after the hole is cut.

I've also got the clutch/ motor mounted under the table (no pic yet

[lazyd]

The foot lifts about an inch , but it is hard to tell because there is no lift lever (it is missing ) Mine has also been converted to a table. --------------------------Bill

Bill,

This machine came from Wisconsin. I've been working there since before Christmas.

As for the difference between the two machines I can't say. I know that the 7-31 is identical to the 7-33 excepting the drive is different. The 7-31 was built with a clutch on the machine head to accommodate being powered by an overhead - flat belt - system. Mine, however has been converted to a table powered model but does still have remnants of the old clutch plate still attached to the balance wheel. It has a v belt pulley on it now.

Don't quote me on this but I think the 7-4 was a book binding machine. The book I looked at had references to the 7-5 as sewing canvas & leather. Maybe the difference is as simple as the foot lifting higher. Some of the models were built to accommodate thicker material.

What is the foot lift on your machine?

As far as parts I have none but you may want to PM Sewmun on this forum. I've read posts of his on another site. He knows a great deal about these old monster flat beds. He may have some parts machines around as well.

I PMed you about my location. We may have to get together some time.

[ryano]

You must be talking about the knee lift, because the machine does have the hand lever on it. It is the lever on top of the machine above the presser bar, not behind the machine like the smaller machines. I have the cylinder arm version of this machine, 11-29. It would sew thru 5/8 easily and 3/4 if you turn the machine by hand. My motor was a little to fast for going thru real heavy leather.

The foot lifts about an inch , but it is hard to tell because there is no lift lever (it is missing ) Mine has also been converted to a table. --------------------------Bill

[Trox]

Hi Catskin,

Your Adler 20-2 is normal lift version sewing up to 16 mm. with needle 794 u. The Adler 20 subclasses; 20-6a, A 20-7 (7a), A 20-8a has a lift on 40 mm, using the Schmetz 1000 H needle system.

The successor the class 120 in now again made by a German company; SL-Spezialnaehmaschinenbau Limbach GmbH & Co. KG. On license from Dürkopp Adler, together with the famous Adler class 30 shoe repair machine. The Adler 120-30 is a real monster machine, sewing up to 26 mm thick. However, it cost more than a new Mercedes Benz.

http://www.sl-spezial.de/sl/index.php/company.html

Watch and enjoy.

Trox

It looks nearly identical to my Adler 20-2. I've been told that there is a Singer that is virtually identical so I am hoping one of the experts will tell me if this is it. With a bit of tinkering I have my 20-2 sewing 7/8 inchsof harness leather.

[catskin]

Thanks Trox.

This one tough old machine I replaced the leather belt drive with a chain by doing a little machineing to mount sprockets and made a speed reducer now it wil start off through 7/8 inch hard leather like its not there. No belt slipping like there was.

Hi Catskin,

Your Adler 20-2 is normal lift version sewing up to 16 mm. with needle 794 u. The Adler 20 subclasses; 20-6a, A 20-7 (7a), A 20-8a has a lift on 40 mm, using the Schmetz 1000 H needle system.

The successor the class 120 in now again made by a German company; SL-Spezialnaehmaschinenbau Limbach GmbH & Co. KG. On license from Dürkopp Adler, together with the famous Adler class 30 shoe repair machine. The Adler 120-30 is a real monster machine, sewing up to 26 mm thick. However, it cost more than a new Mercedes Benz.

http://www.sl-spezia...hp/company.html

Watch and enjoy.

Trox