Do These Machines Have Value?

[Constabulary]

If there is an original 45K Manual in the drawer then PLEASE scan it and post the file here.

And in case you don´t need it I´d be interested in buying it

Adler manuals are too big to upload here so here you have the direct download links, just click on them and the download will start automatically. The machines may look a bit different but the instructions are the same.

Manual Adler 30-1

Mechanics Manual Adler 30-1

For the 45K I only have this:

45Kmanual.pdf

Edited September 26, 2014 by Constabulary

[Evo160K]

Thank you Constabulary, thank you very much. Those manuals are going to help tremendously.

If the gentleman lets me take the handbook before I buy the machines, I will definitely scan and post it. If not and we make a deal, of course, I'll scan and post it. I'll be seeing the machines again this afternoon.

[Evo160K]

Constabulary,

Turns out the handbook in the Adler drawer is for a Singer 29K60. That sort of makes sense, since the 29K model looks similar to the Adler 30-15, perhaps some of the parts and instructions are similar. I'm sure you know the answer to that.

I'm told the Adler is working and sews, I didn't try it, because I didn't want to take a chance of damaging it. In the drawer were several packages of small parts, needles ,small tools, bobbins, several shuttles and I believe a bobbin winder.

I took an electric extension cord with me and plugged in the Singer, the 1/3 hp motor sounds smooth and the clutch must work, because when I pulled the arm on the motor down, the machine ran and the needle moved up/down. Each pulley has several grooves for selecting different speeds. The treadle appears to be disconnected. There were no additional parts or literature around the machine.

Do you happen to know what the A222 on the Singer represents?

Thanks again for posting the manuals.

Edited September 27, 2014 by Evo160K

[Colt W Knight]

@ Evo160K

So your estimated sale price could be about 800 -1100 but then they should be fully functional.

But when you buy them to make some money expect that you probably have to invest some money (in case the bobbin winders are missing and so forth) to put them back into a fully functional condition. Bobbin winders are an easy task - nothing you need special knowledge for.

So if you can get them for about $200 each (or even less) you should be able to make a nice profit.

At the end it is your decision. Keep in mind that you have to find a customer. But If I were you I´d buy them if the price is good.

I think that is a realistic estimate for a running leather machine in the States, especially in areas that don't see a lot of used machines. When I was looking for a used machines, most of the ones I found were damn near retail for a new machine of similar capabilities. I talked to a lot of older leather workers and saddle repair guys, and most of them would tell me I had to buy an older machine to get one that would stand up to leather work. I know that isn't true, but that is the perception of a lot of the older generation guys I have talked to.

Edited September 27, 2014 by Colt W Knight

[Evo160K]

Colt W Knight,

Thanks for your estimate and for your thoughts. I feel fairly clear now on how to proceed. As a rule, I don't get involved in things I don't understand, in this case it's not too expensive and it's extremely interesting.

[Constabulary]

Have you bought the 2 machines?

[Evo160K]

Constabulary,

Not yet. I'm having difficulty contacting the actual owner. Hopefully by mid week. Thanks for your help.

[Evo160K]

After almost two months, I make contact with the owner of the machines.....turned out he's a good guy, just busy. For nostalgia reasons he wanted to hold on to the Adler 30-15, but I was able to purchase the Singer 45K25. My darling wife and I brought it home yesterday evening, weighs a ton. I'm totally pumped about it. We needed to unscrew the machine from the table top in order to get the two pieces into the car. The steel table top is actually drilled and tapped for the screws, it's definitely a heavy duty table. Btw, the seller promised to give me the first opportunity to purchase the Adler, if he changes his mind.

So this morning while I was cleaning off some of the dust, I noticed one half of the split portion of the stud that holds the tension discs was broken, it fell out as I was unscrewing the round nut. The agent had mentioned previously the machine ran, but didn't sew correctly. He said they couldn't get the tension adjusted. Since that round nut isn't tightening the discs, I'm hoping a new split stud will get the machine going.

I would like to ask you good people a couple of questions on the repair and restoration, so I'll start another topic for that.

Thanks all for your assistance.

[Constabulary]

I may have the tension stud but have to look for it. Which one is broken? The one on the back or the one on the left side (face plate)?

[Evo160K]

Constabulary,

That would be terrific, thank you. I'll cover all costs. It's the tension stud on the left side, on the face plate, and it points to the left. There's something strange about it though, instead of having two tension discs, it has one "pulley" about the size of tension discs sandwiched between the two indexed washers. Frankly, I don't see how to get tension on it, unless maybe by wrapping the thread around it two or three times. If that "pulley" is not supposed to be there and you have a pair of original Singer tension discs, would you please send them. I also need an original Singer end cover and screw if you have it. I'm going to try to stay with genuine Singer parts if I can. I need to find a 45K25 exploded parts diagram and parts list, sooner or later I'm going to need it.

The 45K operators manual that you posted for me was a great help. This evening (the above paragraph was written this morning) I used it to oil and thread the machine, and using the tension discs on the back side, I was able to get the machine sewing pretty well. The only thread I had to go with the huge needle that was in the machine was some 1000 deg. F Continuous Filament Beta (BC) Glass Fiber thread--lol. We used it years ago in our business in the Claes. I'm tremendously enthused and pleased with the machine so far.

Once everything is working properly, I'll totally pull it apart and start the serious cleaning and restoration. Here are some pictures of where I am at the moment. For reference, you can check the pictures in the original post.

Thanks again Constabulary.

Do you know why the long curved piece is on the back side?

Edited November 15, 2014 by Evo160K