Singer Non Leather Machines?

[blue99]

Hey, I need some opinions on getting a Singer machine on a budget to sew leather and fabric to compliment my Singer 29k 71. My local options around here are the 15-91, 201, 306k, and the 15-31.....which are harder to find and in not so good condition. I currently have the Singer 6704.....I stripped the bottom gear to the bobbin shuttle....... Yeah, I should get a real industrial machine ......... but I can't spend the big bucks the do repair work and hobby sewing. Please if you folks here on the forum could make suggestions on machines that you would recommend that would be great......Thanks, John

[Art]

Get a 31-15 or 31-20 until you can get something better. You can get one in reasonable shape with a real motor (most probably a clutch) for $200 or less.

Art

[DoubleC]

I have a 15-91 I use for everything. It's not an 'industrial' machine but no one told it. That potted motor on it makes it a beast. I've rehabbed 4 of them, and can break them apart faster than I can sew with them :-) I wouldn't trade mine for anything, but Art has much more experience with different machines than I do. But I sew leather with mine all the time, just not 8 hours a day every day. That would break down any 'domestic' machine eventually. I'm getting ready to sew a leather strap for a messenger bag I'm making on mine later next week. Hoped to be already doing it but these things have so much you need to do to them, and much more time consuming than I expected. Cheryl (BTW I got mine for $54, with a cabinet but then again I'm a pretty good bargain hunter.)

[KAYAK45]

Hi John:

I'll back up the Art on the31-15/20 idea. This is an industrial machine, with metal gears and body. It was the backup in WII to it's bigger brother, the 111W155. I have both and use them a lot. They both will be sewing long after I'm gone. The Navy Marines, Army all used them. Could our military be wrong? Don't answer that. LOL! Back then it was strength they wanted.

I paid ~ $100 for the head to the 31-15, and about $375 for the head, table and good clutch for the 111w155. Am NOT INTERESTED in selling either one.

Kevin

PS: I also have a cowboy 4500, new they are ~$2600+, Landis 12L, saw one sell recently ~$4,000+ and a seven inch Seiko Post Machine, new advertised for ~$2,800+. Still will not sell my first, the Singers.

[ramrod]

i have a 1-591 that i bought 4 years ago. it is a beast - like doubleC said, no one told it it wasn't a leather machne. it is very capable if not a bit touchy to set up correctly (it's probably just me). i've since been given a 211g155 and i love it.

i'm going to sell the 1591 someday. no need for it.

[Jimbob]

dito.....15-91 for small stuff....30-15 for tuff stuff and 111 for real leather projects!!

Own all of them...good ones !!

[blue99]

Thanks for all your information on the different machines.

I now have a singer 15-91.... It's a fixer upper, but that's okay......part of the fun is getting something to work like it should. My wife does not understand that part (why not buy something that works). Tinkering is part of the hobby. I now have a 29k-71, a 6704, a 717, and the 15-91....... For Christmas I asked for a singer 15-31 project. Thanks again, John.

[Spence]

I have an old, circa 1940, National R-40 (Rotary). It belonged to my mother and she used it rarely.

Is anyone familiar with this one? Can I use it as a hobby machine ?

I think I need a part for it, but not concerned with that yet.

Tks

[CowboyBob]

The rotary machines won't sew as heavy as a oscillating shuttle machine.You MIGHT beable to use #69 thread if you tighten up the tension alot.Parts will be almost impossible to find for this too since it's so old.

HTH

Bob