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Posted

Singer made a bunch of variations on the basic horizontal rotary lockstitch. I'll look it up at work tommorow and see what I can find. The 281 series includes both drop feed and compound feed. They are work horses for medium/duty work. If you can find a 281-22, those are the compound feed ones. They work well with up to size 20 needle and will sew lightweight leather. The tension springs and take-up springs are not heavy enough for larger thread.

Regards, Eric

  • Members
Posted

I had suspected this was the machine head Singer used to produce their 2281F series which featured a crude needle positioner system (photo cells) and underbed trimmer. The head is identical to the D series. I have about 6 of the 2281F's and double checked that they are drop feed machines. Ok for woven goods, but not great for leather.

Regards, Eric

  • Members
Posted

Thx for the reply. I've been looking at several machines. I don't do any leather at the current time but i always consider the "what if" in any machine purchase. A guy has a Singer 111w155 machine not too far away but is selling it as a antique rather than a usable machine. Says it works just doing a lot research before dig my pockets. thx again Jack

  • Members
Posted

The 111 is a workhorse and we still use some of the 112's (a 2 needle version). I own a 111 and it's great. It's a compound feed so it will handle leather up to a point like a champ. I've hemmed my Levi's for years which is 8 layers of heavy denim. I've used up to a 21 needle, but it's really comfortable with size 14-20. For cloth, the 281-22 would be a great find for you. It will sew lightweight fabric with ease and because it's compound feed, lightweight leather. The difference is the 281-22 has a horizontal rotary hook and the 111 and 211's have a verticle hook which will handle more thickness.

Regards, Eric

  • Members
Posted (edited)

Looking for the machine mainly for sewing upholstery pleather but don't want to get myself locked into a machine that wont properly handle 6 layers. I can probably get the 281 for $275-300.

Edited by Rebelwork
  • 3 years later...
  • Members
Posted

I just bought one of these machines, looks exactly like the one in the photo in the first post. I could hardly find any info, but it was too good of a deal to pass up. Looks like it just needs a thorough cleaning/oiling and hopefully not much else. Though I'm having a hard time finding any information about it online, no manuals or even any references to it, just this post. I'd love to know more about them, and also have a basic manual. Does anyone have access to a manual or have an idea of where I could find one? The model # is 2281F362

  • Members
Posted

I have an extensive file on all the 2281's. There are a lot of variations. If you could post some close-up pictures that would help me sort through all the info I have. Also, does this machine have a regular clutch motor?

Regards, Eric

  • Members
Posted

Eric,

Great! Thanks so much! I'll have to wait til I get back to my workshop tomorrow to take some photos. I'm not sure if it's a clutch motor, but I think so? The person I bought it from also didn't know. I know how clutch and servo motors work differently, or at least how they operate, though I'm not sure how to tell the difference without running the machine.

  • Moderator
Posted (edited)

Brandy;

You can tell the difference between a clutch and a servo motor simply be plugging it in and pressing/throwing the power button/switch. A clutch motor will begin spinning with a whine and blow warm air out of the cooling vents as it reaches its rated full speed (either 1725 or 3450 rpm). It will power the machine as you engage the clutch with the floor pedal. The only real control is a large hex head bolt that positions how far the pedal has to move before the brake lets go and the clutch engages. It will also have an adjustable spring that determines how much the control arm hanging down resists the floor pedal's weight.

A servo motor won't make a sound or spin when you simply switch it on. It will only turn over and make a sound when you press the floor pedal to power the motor. It may have lights and buttons, or a rotary knob to limit its speeds.

Both types of motor will also have a threaded bolt, with over and under locknuts, used to control the slack in the drive belt.

Edited by Wizcrafts

Posted IMHO, by Wiz

My current crop of sewing machines:

Cowboy CB4500, Singer 107w3, Singer 139w109, Singer 168G101, Singer 29k71, Singer 31-15, Singer 111w103, Singer 211G156, Adler 30-7 on power stand, Techsew 2700, Fortuna power skiver and a Pfaff 4 thread 2 needle serger.

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