Singer 112W Gauge Sets

[Texas Heritage Woodworks]

I just purchased a Singer 112W double needle machine to use mainly for stitching canvas and occasionally lightweight leather. It came with needles spaced 3/8" apart. I would prefer spacing closer to 1/4" or 3/16 for the type of work I do. I've found different ones on eBay, but they all seem fairly generic. They all specify that they are for light use as well. Are there any other sources for quality gauge sets? Thanks in advance!

[Gump]

On some of those machines you could adjust the hooks closer and just replace the needle bar for the gauge you wanted. I doubt you could go down to 3/16, but you may get down to 1/4, as that is only 1/16 adjustment per hook. Check with an expert, but I have a 145 singer that has quite a range of adjustment on its hooks, and is a similar design to your machine. Gump.

[gottaknow]

The 112's will take a 3/16" gauge set, as well as a 1/4" and several wider sets. You must change the needle holder, presser foot, feed dogs, and throat plate. You then have to have the ability to re-time the machine because you'll have to move the hook saddles. I always check the latch opener adjustment on both hooks as well since you'll be changing the throat plate (the latch opener adjustment should be set anytime a throat plate is changed, even in the same gauge). I would assume some or all of our machine dealer sponsors here could help with a parts order. If not, Universal Sewing Supply carries the complete sets.

Regards, Eric

[Texas Heritage Woodworks]

The 112's will take a 3/16" gauge set, as well as a 1/4" and several wider sets. You must change the needle holder, presser foot, feed dogs, and throat plate. You then have to have the ability to re-time the machine because you'll have to move the hook saddles. I always check the latch opener adjustment on both hooks as well since you'll be changing the throat plate (the latch opener adjustment should be set anytime a throat plate is changed, even in the same gauge). I would assume some or all of our machine dealer sponsors here could help with a parts order. If not, Universal Sewing Supply carries the complete sets.

Regards, Eric

Thanks Eric.

I'm getting it serviced right now to make sure everything is in proper working order. Should be getting it back this week sometime. I've been a master BMW tech for years, so I feel competent timing the machine once I change out the gauge sets. Thanks for the help!

[gottaknow]

Good deal. If you have any questions let me know. Keep in mind the hook on the left side rotates opposite the right and will have a tendency to untwist your left twist thread. I deal with this by setting the timing different on the left hook. This is common to all double needle lockstitch machines. I still use 112's and 212 Singers, as well as Juki's, Consews, Brothers, Pfaffs, and Mitsubishi. The Juki's will actually do an 1/8" gauge set. I think at last count I was using a combo of about 25 of these for production with 1/4" being the most common. My Consew 327RB's have a split needle bar so you can raise either of the independent needle bars and turn a corner.

Regards, Eric

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

Everything is on point here gottaknow. One more thing I can add, some folks like to use a right twist thread in the left side hook, this should give the same performance as the left twist in the right needle. Not everyone has that stuff laying around, but if the top thread is heavy bonded, it should work well.

[gottaknow]

I've seen some high dollar leather car seats done with left twist on both needles and I could tell the difference. I also know some upholsterers who always use right twist on the left needle. In the factory, we seldom use thread larger than Tex80 poly/cotton, so you never see the difference. As for timing, I usually retard the timing on the left hook ever so slightly and rotate the needle just a hair towards the incoming hook. I also keep the hooks really sharp. A dull hook on the left side is almost always going either fray or break thread, especially when you're using as much Tex 40 and 60 as we do.

Regards, Eric

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

Roger that. In case some folks care to know more about this, check out this page from Groz-Beckert attached.

Groz-Beckert_Needles_Page7_doubleNeedle.pdf

[Texas Heritage Woodworks]

Thanks so much for all of the great info! What a great forum