Cylinder Arm Machines

[dikman]

mmike, if you intend using them for sewing leather then a servo motor is really the only way to go. I have experimented with pulley speed reducers (with clutch motors) on two Singers and a Pfaff 335 and while I could slow them down considerably I just didn't feel that I had the slow speed control I was looking for. A servo gave me that control.

Coluber42, I recently bought a used Pfaff 335 that was fitted out as an edge binder. It's a really nice machine and punches through 1/4" leather with no trouble, but it's cost me just over Au$100 to get the feet and feed dog to convert it to "normal" stitching - and these were generic parts, I've been told not to even consider Pfaff parts ($$$)! As long as I don't break anything it'll be a great machine.

If you want to do both binding and straight sewing you'll be forever swapping the bits back and forth. It's probably not what you want to hear, but eventually you will need a machine set up for each function if you intend to do a fair bit of work.

[Uwe]

If your "new" machine is a clone of an old design, the spare parts problem is exactly the same. The modern day clone makers don't generally make or stock parts, but expect you to rely on the OEM parts supply channels. A few aftermarket makers (e.g Kwok Hing) produce a limited selection of parts like needle bars, etc. Some models are well supplied with aftermarket parts. Check resellers with a good online presence like College Sewing in the UK see if parts exist for the machine you're considering. If they don't carry it, you're likely out of luck elsewhere as well. The local LW vendor may carry or be able to source parts, but some of their websites haven't quite made the transition into this century yet.

As far as "expensive" parts go, an expensive but available part is infinitely more useful than any unavailable part no matter what the price would be.

Durkopp Adler appears to have a very robust spare parts organisation in place for their vintage machines. They also did not go through bankruptcy recently like Pfaff did. Nothing like a good bankruptcy and new owner to change your priorities as to what vintage models you're still interested in supporting.

Most industrial sewing machines were designed to work hard in a factory setting without breaking constantly. If you don't abuse your machine by trying to make it do things it wasn't designed to do, it will work for long time with routine maintenance.

Like a previous poster said, you'll likely end up with one (or more!) dedicated binder machines before too long, especially if you do this for a living or on a regular basis.

My advice would be to get a name brand machine (Singer/Pfaff/Juki/Durkopp Adler, etc.) or a well supported/respected clone in good condition, no more than two decades old, with design specs covering the needle and thread sizes and material thickness you plan to use. Whenever you use a machine outside its design specs, trouble is likely imminent. Quite often the design specs, especially for certain cylinder arm machines, are very narrow (e.g. Needle size 110Nm-140Nm, not much wiggle room there)

For binding operations you described with compound feed and synchronized, vibrating binders, the Pfaff 335 and Adler 69 class of machines are well supported, proven key players in that field, at least from what I can tell.

Edited October 12, 2015 by Uwe

[mmike956]

I'm in this as a hobby and a way to keep me occupied and entertained. I enjoy the mechanical challenge of making these old machines work. I'm not going into business with these Singers but certainly someone will benefit from my efforts to keep them alive. They currently reside in an unused upstairs catch all room. Since there are oak floors underneath the worn out carpet I plan to strip the floor and have a dedicated sewing room reminiscent of an old textile mill. Here are a few pictures to for you to see if I can figure out how to post them here. How do you post pictures here? I have photo bucket but it's been a while since I've used it.

[mmike956]

Here's the 153W102 and 154W101.

Edited October 13, 2015 by mmike956

[mmike956]

1942 31-15 silver with chopping block table with a couple of slats missing

1910 31-20. destined for the linoleum topped table.

Edited October 13, 2015 by mmike956

[mmike956]

Table progress. I'm working on three tables.

[mmike956]

Another top in progress.

[mmike956]

I made this table top then found an entire green industrial table for free at a local alteration shop.

[mmike956]

Here's another view of the 154W101. It's a two needle compound feed machine. I can't wait to get it mounted.

[mmike956]

The 153W102 looks just like the 154 except for the extra thread tensioner and longer cylinder arm. That rounded bed will be real handy!