Singer 96-10 Vs. 31-15

[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