DavidMillsSaddlery Report post Posted December 6, 2011 I found an old Singer 31-15 today cheap enough! I have some older needles from years ago that are labeled canu 37 : 20KJ nm:140/22 (for thread size) sytstem: 135x16 dia. made by schmetz these are either going to be from my old 31-15, or my old 153w-101... anyone know? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidMillsSaddlery Report post Posted December 6, 2011 picture... it's lost alot of the paint from wear, but for the $160.00 price I'll try it. I found another head I think someone will give me if I ask nice! anyone know about the old looking clutch? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbob Report post Posted December 6, 2011 got my 31-15 for hundred bucks, head only....so you did OK.....if it turns and eventually sews u are in good shape.....they ussually make a nice tight stitch....they are tuff bugggers.....cant do much more then 92 on top, some people run 138 on top?! Been arround for a long time....these 31-15 to my knowledge have been used in the Navy a lot!! NOT a heavy machine, but nice to have for light stuff....get you a roller foot from Toledo Bob....works great! I need to look up my needles....have so many different systems running.....but I think they do 135X16?? not shure... Jimbob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidMillsSaddlery Report post Posted December 6, 2011 I'm sure the above sizes are for the 153w-101 I had. I found a box of needles that the box was labeled 31-15... not sure of the number system yet... I used 138 top and bottom for several hundred pair of rodeo chaps sewing 3 layers of 3-4 oz chap leather for years on my last one I had! the 69 thread just was too danty for my stuff... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anne Bonnys Locker Report post Posted December 6, 2011 According to my Singer needle book the 31-15 uses a 16X1. It is also known as a TF1 and if I remember rightly is essentially the domestic 15X1 with a round shank. I have not played with many US built 31's but it should be possible to retime the machine for the DPX17/DPX16. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted December 6, 2011 According to my Singer needle book the 31-15 uses a 16X1. It is also known as a TF1 and if I remember rightly is essentially the domestic 15X1 with a round shank. I have not played with many US built 31's but it should be possible to retime the machine for the DPX17/DPX16. If you try to make the 135x16 work on a 31-15 you will have to take the needlebar thread guide off & everytime you change needles the needle clamp will fall off,the 135x16 are 13/4" long & the correct needle is 1/1/2" long. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregg From Keystone Sewing Report post Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) Correct needle for Singer 31-15 is system 16X87 (same needle cross references with 71X1, 16X73, or SY1526) This is the system, but you also have to designate the size, so when ordering you would say for example "System 16X87, size 90 (or size 14)' You can us what you want if it works, but my customers count on me to do things 'by the book', and it sure helps when customers show up later to reorder needles! Edited December 6, 2011 by Gregg From Keystone Sewing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted December 6, 2011 Hi Darren, The DBx1 (Organ, Schmetz, and Gros Beckert) is a good fit for the 31-15. Do not use MUVA DBx1 as they are a little bigger in the shaft and don't fit well. The Singer 16x87 is the original needle for the 31-15 and surprisingly, there are a lot of them still around. I don't know if I would go modifying the 31-15 for a 135x16 when you can walk down the street and fall over DBx1s. But, in a pinch in the middle of nowhere, you do what you have to. Art According to my Singer needle book the 31-15 uses a 16X1. It is also known as a TF1 and if I remember rightly is essentially the domestic 15X1 with a round shank. I have not played with many US built 31's but it should be possible to retime the machine for the DPX17/DPX16. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidMillsSaddlery Report post Posted December 6, 2011 I've got some new needles and thread coming for the machine! The old needles (plastic holders) are marked as dpx5 135x5 134R sy6790 on a green plastic holder WITH A 140/22 SIZE second orange holder has TFx2 16x2TW 34LL with various sizes I found various foot attachments and a big wheel roller foot with matching dog feet (might have terms wrong) machiine needs a spool holder, it has a cast Iron base for one. hopefully someone has something to match just to keep it "vintage looking. I like the old motor, and clutch looks, but have not run it enough to know how smooth it will be! Mostly will be used with the roller foot attachment for intricate designs on leather chaps or for Padded seats on saddles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted December 6, 2011 Ok, Those are Pfaff needles. I have heard of them working in the 31, but have never tried them myself. Art I've got some new needles and thread coming for the machine! The old needles (plastic holders) are marked as dpx5 135x5 134R sy6790 on a green plastic holder WITH A 140/22 SIZE second orange holder has TFx2 16x2TW 34LL with various sizes I found various foot attachments and a big wheel roller foot with matching dog feet (might have terms wrong) machiine needs a spool holder, it has a cast Iron base for one. hopefully someone has something to match just to keep it "vintage looking. I like the old motor, and clutch looks, but have not run it enough to know how smooth it will be! Mostly will be used with the roller foot attachment for intricate designs on leather chaps or for Padded seats on saddles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidMillsSaddlery Report post Posted December 6, 2011 It's what I was "sold" from a local place called Sew-Tex years ago... they seemed to work back then? What is the largest size needle available for the 31-15 in a leather point? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted December 6, 2011 22s are available, maybe 24s someplace. DBxF2 for leather point (16x257LR). This guy is as good as any, I've used him. Art It's what I was "sold" from a local place called Sew-Tex years ago... they seemed to work back then? What is the largest size needle available for the 31-15 in a leather point? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anne Bonnys Locker Report post Posted December 7, 2011 Interesting, the Singer needle book lists the 16X1 for the 31-15 and 16X87 for the 31K15. The two needles have identical dimensions but the 16X1 has no scarf. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anne Bonnys Locker Report post Posted December 7, 2011 I have converted some Kilbowie machines to DPX17without problem but they were probably 31K47 (walking foot) versions. If you try to make the 135x16 work on a 31-15 you will have to take the needlebar thread guide off & everytime you change needles the needle clamp will fall off,the 135x16 are 13/4" long & the correct needle is 1/1/2" long. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted December 7, 2011 Hi Darren, I have seen plenty of 31-15s with 34 needles in them, which is a scarfless version. I seldom see the Kilbowie versions here. The scarfless needles (16x1) were probably the originals made by Singer, all the modern needlemakers now make the 34 which is identical. So whomever was the first one to say 16x1 was the most correct. Art Interesting, the Singer needle book lists the 16X1 for the 31-15 and 16X87 for the 31K15. The two needles have identical dimensions but the 16X1 has no scarf. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
