Singer 66 For Leather

[howie696]

I have a 99K it's just a shorter 66K same mechanicals and I'm trying to find leather point needles, without much success :-(

did you find any??

cheers

[Colt W Knight]

I have a 99K it's just a shorter 66K same mechanicals and I'm trying to find leather point needles, without much success :-(

did you find any??

cheers

Yeah, I can go to our local big box store ( JoAnn Fabric and Craft) sewing center and buy them.

Schmetz Leather Machine Needles. They are 5.50$ per 5. I use size #110/18

http://www.joann.com/schmetz-leather-machine-needles-5-pk-size-16-100/1074301.html#q=leather+needles&start=4

Edited March 20, 2014 by Colt W Knight

[howie696]

Thanks I'll have a look

cheers

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

There should be no trouble finding the 15X2 needle.

The 66/99 class is not the SInger Iwould select as the 15 class is better.

If you are going to use a domestic machine then look for a PFAFF 30.

[Ole South]

Re: Edge Guide/Seaming Guide for the straight stitch machines.

I use a hardwood block (closed grain, unvarnished) of maple or such and a rare earth magnet or two salvaged from an old hard drive set flush into the bottom. A thin piece of soft tacky self-stick vinyl (a friend is a sign maker) keeps the diy guide from drifting. It's not really necessary with the approx 1 1/4 x 1/2 inch magnets from the average 3.5" computer hard drive (you'll find 2 in there) but the vinyl also protects the machine's finish if you're worried about things like that.

There are also threaded holes in most old Singers for a slotted "T" guide you can secure with a thumb screw like an inverted router guide. I've not used one yet but you can find them amongst the misc. accessories on Ebay or in your local Singer repair guy's junkbox.

I stole the magnetic block idea from a Sailrite video. Cost = about 20 min cutting the magnet's inset (ie.$0.00 vs the $25.00 5 1/2" Sailrite Mag Guide). Make sure you use one or more ceramic or rare earth magnets to get the holding power you'll need.

It's a cheap and effective way to guide those long straps and edges on a fixed presser foot machine. (Round or taper the end of the guide for any inside curves you may have to sew)

Edited December 20, 2014 by Ole South

[Wishful]

Nice write up

[lowes48]

Yes, nice write up! I'm looking for a cheap route for a machine myself, but as I can see from your posts, the cheap route ends up being expensive and time consuming a lot of the time!

[Tramps Leatherworking]

These old machines sometimes get a bad wrap on here --- I have two 90+ year old Singer 127 treadle machines that I got for free, cleaned them up, replaced the belts and bobbin wheels, put them into use in my shop, and I have made lots of money with them... Do they have their limitations, absolutely, but so do the $2000.00+ machines we buy today...

[catskin]

Here is another suggestion Singer 78-3 if you can find one, mine will zip through 5/16 " of leather like butter, they have walking foot lots of stitch length adjustment but no reverse ( I very rarely use the reverse on my machines that have it )Mine cost me $25.00 for the head in perfect working condition. Then I paid $20.00 for a clutch motor and $20,00 for an industrial table. So all in all very affordable. While I am not doubting what you can do with yours I think this one can all your 66 can plus some more. So worth a look for any one that can find one.

[Ole South]

For those using singer 66's or 99's invest in an old treadle hand wheel. Ten or 15 bucks, the extra ounces of inertia DOES make a difference while sewing leather!

Re:New motors ... they are a nice addition but the foot pedals leave a lot to be desired. Most of the original pedals are single or dual carbon stack varistors. Take them apart, clean each carbon disk or discard it if it's too badly burnt (balance the dual stacks and don't be too picky, the disks don't have to be perfect) Do one stack at a time, there are a TON of disks in each stack. The old pedals are much easier to feather. Lay a paper towel flat on your granite block or any hard true surface, and polish each side of each disk flat on the towel. Keep the disks flat as you'll break more trying to pick them up or turn them over than actually cleaning them.

All that being said, I'll second the previous post; 15-91 is my favorite of all these old Singers when doing leather (the 66 or 201 for cloth). The 201 has a better stitch... but imo the 15-91 out performs all the "home" machines across the spectrum of leathers. Another big plus is both the '-91 and the 201 can backtack the same stitch length as forward.

Catskin, do you know what other walking foot models have compatable foot sets with your 78? I have a Consew 28 and am having trouble finding a less aggressive foot for leatherwork. All I have is a piping/cording set and a (?)zipper set.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Ole South