Need Help! Heading Up To Look At Singer Machines. What Are They?

[Ian1783]

Just posted on local CL. Nice guy got back to me with these numbers:

Singer 144WSV36

Singer 132K6

May need parts (bobbin area for 144W). 220v three phase. I'd swap to servo.

Pics show Union Specials, etc. Many look very old, though not abused. Lots of them. Well, looks like he may have as many as ten or more machines. He's hoping for $150 for some (each?)

I'm thinking of the 132K6 if it's working, or can be made to work easily enough. Maybe the 144WSV (Special Version?). I'm looking for a walking foot for upholstery-weight leather. I intend to sew pillows, stash bags, etc.

I'm heading out to see these in a few minutes (some miles away). Does this look like a treasure trove or a wild goose chase? Hope to hear from someone before I jet.

Ian

SF Bay Area

http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

[Ian1783]

An update: I checked out the machines. I'm mostly interested in a Singer 153 W 103. But it needs parts in the bobbin area, which are quite expensive, from what the owner told me. Though, as he's letting them go for good prices, and this one looks to be in great condition otherwise, I may just pull the trigger and worry about figuring things out later.

The other machines, while quite interesting, look to be far too much for what I'd use themr. Monsters! These were a Singer 144WSV36, a Singer 132K6, and at least one Union Special double-needle chain-stitch machine that looked like two sewing machines side by side; one fed the material, the other did the stitching. No bobbins. Upper and lower threads all fed from a spool tree. Very interesting.

Anyway. Any thoughts on that Singer 153W103? It needs parts in the Bobbin area. Owner took off the sleeve (it's a cylinder machine) and pointed to a hole in the end of the arm and said " broken parts in there..."

Ian

SF Bay Area

http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

[gottaknow]

The 153's are good machines. By "bobbin area" did he perhaps mean the two gears that drive the hook? Parts are available and prices aren't really that bad, depending on what it needs. They are a bit trickier to work on that a conventional flatbed with a verticle hook. They are basically a Singer 211. Many parts interchange.

Regards, Eric

[Ian1783]

Good for what I'm hoping to do? Small bags and pillows (and other things, no doubt, once I get my feet wet).

I'm familiar with many aspects of domestic machines, and I don't scare easily (anymore), so maybe I can make this happen.

The seller just said "bobbin area" and pointed to that area. Did take off the cover, or "cuff", but what I saw was still a pretty solid cover. He pointed to the hole in the end. I'll have to Google images of these to see how they work.

I think I'll buy. Or at least offer to buy - they may be gone.

Ian

SF Bay Area

http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/