Treadle Singer 201 Machine

[Stephanvee]

Hi there,

So I'm new to the forum and i was just wanting to post some questions about a machine I'm looking at purchasing, and don't want to make a purchase ill regret.

The Singer 201 Treadle machine is the one I've had my eye on, I'm from New Zealand so its not to often you come across a nice one, but i seem to have found one, just wanting to know from some more experienced leather workers if this machine would be suitable for leather sewing, nothing to heavy duty but just wallets and accessories with 4-5oz natural vegetable tanned leather.

Thanks a lot,

Not sure if this link will work but you might be able to find the machine here.

http://www.trademe.c...px?id=633169999

Edited September 7, 2013 by Stephanvee

[CowboyBob]

Those are great machines,but they are better when you sew what they were designed for.Clothes with regular thin thread.If you want a heavy duty type of home machine get a Singer 15 class they have a type of hook in them that will allow you to use #69 nylon & sew 1/4" or so of leather w/o any problems.The 201 has a rotary hook that is for lightweight only.The 201 is a very smooth & sought after machine here in the states for quilters,it seems like there wasn't as many made as the 15 class.

[Stephanvee]

Thanks alot cowboybob that helped alot, I'm still abit ignorant towards the specifics but are you talking about a singer 15k? Is that a treadle machine? How so I know if it has the hook your talking about, there are quite a few machines availible but there details are not listed, how does this machine your talking about look like? Thanks again!

[CowboyBob]

Ok,what you need to look for is to make sure the bobbin goes in underneath from the left side instead of from the top like the 201 .

[cdthayer]

.... are you talking about a singer 15k? Is that a treadle machine? How so I know if it has the hook your talking about, there are quite a few machines availible but there details are not listed, how does this machine your talking about look like?

Look at your photo closely, and you'll see that the upper tension is on the front facing the operator. On a Model 15, it's around on the left end. That's probably the most obvious difference that you can pick out in a photo. The Model 201 and the Model 15 both can be a treadle, but also can be electric gear-driven (201-2 & 15-91), or electric belt-driven, or hand cranks. A 15-(dash) and a 15K with the same sub-numbers (example: 15K88 & 15-88) will be the same machine, it's just that the dash ones were made in America and the K ones were made in Brittan. You'll probably see more K machines in your area.

The 201 has a drop-in horizontal Class 66 bobbin, and the bobbin case is usually only removed for servicing.

The 15K has a vertical Class 15 bobbin, and the bobbin case is removed each time that the bobbin is removed.

CD in Oklahoma

Here are photos: Model 201 Bobbin Case, Model 15-88, Model 15-88 bobbin case.

[thesergeant]

I have a 201-2 (direct drive motor version) and use it everyday. I love it so much that I even have a backup should anything ever happen to my main 201. I have run 69 threads through the 201 without issue. Will the 201 handle 69 & two layers for 4-5 oz ? I don't know but depending on the price it might be worth picking up anyway.

I also have a few 15-91's (class 15 machines) and they're reported to work better with heavier weight thread. With a vertical bobbin case and oscillating hook I can understand why it would be better in theory but I don't personally notice a difference between my 201s and 15-91s

Here's what a Class 15 machine looks like:

[Wizcrafts]

I own a 15-91, which I'm trying to sell from my shop. It simply cannot properly sew with anything thicker than #69 bonded nylon. Also, it lacks the penetrating power to punch holes through more than 3/16 inches of veg-tan belt leather, without me hand-wheeling it to get it started (and keep it sewing slowly). It then becomes a challenge to keep the leather from lifting with the needle.