Singer 96-10 Vs. 31-15

[CustomDoug]

I've been keeping my eye open for another Singer 31-15 for scroll work and also for sewing button holes (with attachment) into very thin leather, wool, denim, etc. Wish I'd never let my other go. But anyway today I came across what I thought was a 31-15 but is actually a 96-10 according to the owner over the phone. It includes the working motor, table, lifter, bobbin threader, etc and has a "make an offer price" on it. I'd say if anything if looks a little beefier than the 31-15 but how do they really compare? It's an "industrial" machine (I know that's a silly term, but..). Can a scrolling wheel foot be used and is it considered a "high shank" machine like the 31-15 (so that the buttonhole attachment could be used)? A realistic price to offer? Thanks for ya'll's help. ~ Doug

Edited July 16, 2012 by CustomDoug

[machinehead]

The 96-10 is a rotary hook machine and the 31-15 has an oscillating hook. Some folks claim that they have more thread jams with the rotary hook. The 96-10 is designed for medium to heavy fabric so that makes it a good choice for your projects, but the 31-15 has been a standard among boot makers to sew decorative stitching on the boot shaft. Some have moved on to Singer 111 class machines, but the old 31 is still out there hammering away. Both machines use the same feet , needle plate, and feed dog. Your buttonhole attachment should fit either machine. For the type of work you intend to do the standard practice is to acquire a wheel foot when sewing leather , a single row feed dog, and matching needle plate. When adjusting the distance of the wheel from the needle you usually want it as close as possible. When sewing textiles, a teflon foot would be a good choice.

If you get the 96 Singer in all likelihood you will need to slow it way down with a larger hand wheel pulley, smaller motor pulley, a speed reducer, or some combination. The 96-10 is a high speed machine and sewing leather is a slow speed pursuit.

If the price is right and the machine is in good shape I would probably snag it. But then I am addicted to old machines. It would make a good chap sewing machine I think, but a 111w would be a better choice. As to price I can't say because it can vary by location.

[CustomDoug]

Thanks machinehead, I still have the wheel/single feed dog/needle plate left over from my earlier 31-15... somehow that didn't go with the purchaser (not that she had any interest in leather work). But what's most valuable to me with either the 31 class or 96 class is that they'll do the buttonholes with my highshank attachment, which you've pretty much confirmed. Also the fact that I'll be using other machine(s) for everything else leather related, so these machines are great for other tayloring type stuff when it's needed. Slowing the thing down would be a real consideration though. Would the 111 class machines work with the above items (wheel/feed/buttonhole attachment)? ~ Doug

[Art]

No, the 111 is a walking foot machine,

Art

[machinehead]

Hey,Doug. I meant to say that the 110 class with the roller feed on the bottom instead of feed dogs is a machine that some folks use instead of the 31-15 for decorative top stitching. Instead, I typed class111. Then, later when I was speaking of sewing chaps I named the walking foot class 111 as a better choice than a 96 class. If I could type and / think at the same time I would be dangerous. Sorry for the confusion.

[Art]

If you go hunting down a 110, make sure it is a 110w100, anything else will have various and sundry trimmers that you will have to disable. The stitch spacing is usually fixed (it varies with stitch gear sets) at 12-16 which may limit you to 33 or 46 thread, but it is the exact ticket for boot top decoration.

Art

[CustomDoug]

Thanks ya'll. Unfortunately I've been unable to reconnect with the machine's owner to make an offer. Meanwhile, I see there's a 95 class machine near me too. Any significant difference?

[CowboyBob]

Thanks ya'll. Unfortunately I've been unable to reconnect with the machine's owner to make an offer. Meanwhile, I see there's a 95 class machine near me too. Any significant difference?

The 95 is a shortarm 7" 96

[CustomDoug]

The 95 is a shortarm 7" 96

aw, I see.. I knew it couldn't be much diff.

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

For decorative stitching I would go for the 31-18 which is a roller foot, roller feed machine and very common in the shoe industry. I have nearly finished one as a treadle for a local leather worker.

[CustomDoug]

For decorative stitching I would go for the 31-18 which is a roller foot, roller feed machine and very common in the shoe industry. I have nearly finished one as a treadle for a local leather worker.

I've never seen a 31-18 pop up locally but there is usually a slow trickle stream of 31-15's come along. However, just today a 31-*19* popped up for a descent price and I was really excited until I read up on this model and it turns out to be a Walking Foot model. Normally that would be good when dealing with leather BUT like I mentioned I need to use the buttonhole attachment, which would not work with the walking foot I don't think. Bummer! I figure the 31-18 with the roller foot might not work with the attachment either (unless a normal feed dog can be retrofitted) . BTW, I missed out on the 96-10 someone snatched it up pretty quick. So, the search continues.

Edited July 20, 2012 by CustomDoug

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

Look at it this way - Pick up the first 31 you see at a good price then build up the set. Why not have an 18, 19 and 20 (or 15) as they all fit in the same table and you have three specialised machines only taking up the space of one.

It might be possible but it would be a two hour job to change over the bottom end.

I've never seen a 31-18 pop up locally but there is usually a slow trickle stream of 31-15's come along. However, just today a 31-*19* popped up for a descent price and I was really excited until I read up on this model and it turns out to be a Walking Foot model. Normally that would be good when dealing with leather BUT like I mentioned I need to use the buttonhole attachment, which would not work with the walking foot I don't think. Bummer! I figure the 31-18 with the roller foot might not work with the attachment either (unless a normal feed dog can be retrofitted) . BTW, I missed out on the 96-10 someone snatched it up pretty quick. So, the search continues.

[Jimbob]

Thanks machinehead, I still have the wheel/single feed dog/needle plate left over from my earlier 31-15... somehow that didn't go with the purchaser (not that she had any interest in leather work). But what's most valuable to me with either the 31 class or 96 class is that they'll do the buttonholes with my highshank attachment, which you've pretty much confirmed. Also the fact that I'll be using other machine(s) for everything else leather related, so these machines are great for other tayloring type stuff when it's needed. Slowing the thing down would be a real consideration though. Would the 111 class machines work with the above items (wheel/feed/buttonhole attachment)? ~ Doug

some Singer 111 are NOT walking foot machines t!!

[Art]

When talking 111's for leatherwork the 111w152, 153, 154, and 155 are the predominant ones you will see and the 155 being the best. These machines were used extensively by the U.S. Navy and Air Force for maintenance of cockpit safety equipment. Always check them out thourghly for excessive wear.

Art