Elmore Report post Posted December 16, 2014 So I recently came by a Singer 111W155 that was used in a production environment. This is my venture into the world of industrial sewing machines and know very little about them. That being said, I’m pretty excited to get this machine back up and running. It did not come with a table, motor, bobbin winder, pedal, presser foot lever, and I’m sure several other things I’m overlooking. The presser foot lever has been removed and there seems to be some type of compressed air system in place. I’m not sure if there’s a way to manually lift the foot via a screwdriver but I would like to restore that functionality. If possible, add the knee presser lever I’ve seen on a few tables too. I’m guessing getting it cleaned up is the first step. I was thinking I would give it a kerosene bath followed by some copious oiling. Is there a specific oil these old Singer machines like? Then I need to look into a servo motor, table, and all the missing attachments. Looks like there are a few service manuals floating around the internet. Should go a long ways in helping me understand just what I'm looking at. http://navyaviation.tpub.com/14218/index.htm Here are some pictures: Front of Machine Model + Serial Number Presser Foot Back of Machine & Cut Wires Gearing + Timing Belt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted December 17, 2014 This is the hand lifting lever you need: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SINGER-111W-FOOT-BAR-LIFTER-PART-202554-/300720931297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46045d41e1 Check is the small screw for it is still in the machine. It goes in from the right when you look from the backside. This one is the left part of the foot lifter and mounts about the the cylinder is mounted: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SINGER-111W-FOOT-LIFTER-CONN-LEVER-PART-240067-/290723338650?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b076199a But you need a screw for mounting it to the machine (have not found it) This is the connection bar to the under table knee lifter: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SINGER-111W-LIFTER-CONN-LEVER-LIFTING-ROD-PART-223684-/290723338702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b07619ce This one goes on the above bar: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SINGER-111W-SPRING-COLLAR-PART-227227-/120926471491?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c27c78543 This spring goes on the bar: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SINGER-111W-LIFTER-CONN-LVR-LIFTING-ROD-SPRING-206628-/290723353123?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b0765223 This is a counter spring you need otherwise the lifter is rattling when swing: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SINGER-111W-FOOT-LIFTER-LIFTING-LEVER-SPRING-227561-/290723353122?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b0765222 This is the under table knee lifter: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/KNEE-LIFT-LIFTER-ASSEMBLY-COMPLETE-228368-10735-SINGER-111W-CONSEW-225-226-JUKI-/121303884752?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item1c3e4663d0 Before you buy these parts - check with a 111w155 parts list - I hope I have not chosen the wrong parts but I´m positive. You can download one here: https://www.universalsewing.com/images2/parts_lists/all/qkrecfbe.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elmore Report post Posted December 17, 2014 Wow Constabulary, that was beyond helpful! I will check the parts list to make sure the parts fit and get them ordered tonight. Thank you for the help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted December 17, 2014 You are welcome - I was in about the same situation last year when I restore my 111G156 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vpd66 Report post Posted December 19, 2014 I have the same machine and was in the same boat a few years ago. Mine was used in a production shoe shop but it didn't have any modifications done to it. These are very simple to work on once you get associated with it. The manuals are kind of hard to follow has they are 50-60 years old. Some of the newer Consew manuals are better has these sewing machines are direct copies. I don't know your sewing experience but I had very little sewing experience when I got mine and most of the problem I had were not the machines fault but me. I went through my machine and got it sewing but had problems with start ups. I took my machine to a mechanic and he checked it over and said there was nothing wrong with it. I talked with him for a while and figured it was just the way I was locking my stitches on my starts that was giving me problems. I started doing it the way he told me and I'm having alot less problems. Also simple things like putting the needle in correctly can make a world of difference (don't ask how I know! LOL). I lube mine with TriFlow. Thats what the sewing shop told me to use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tejas Report post Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) Chapter 4 of this manual might be helpful. The manual states: "Your shop may have the Consew Model 225, the Juki LU-562, or the Singer Model 111 W 155 sewing machine. These three sewing machines are essentially identical, and all specifications and instructions are the same for all three sewing machines. For simplicity we will use the Singer 111 W 155 as a model for all three sewing machines." http://militarynewbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/NAVEDTRA-14217-Aircrew-Survival-Equipmentman-1-C.pdf Edited December 19, 2014 by Tejas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonywinsew Report post Posted December 20, 2014 I have a 2 hour full service video for a Juki LU-563 which was patterned after a Singer 111w-155 except it has reverse and a larger bobbin. To see an excerpt go to www.windhamcub.com and click on facebook. Tony Luberto I have a 2 hour full service video for a Juki LU-563 which was patterned after a Singer 111w-155 except it has reverse and a larger bobbin. To see an excerpt go to www.windhamcub.com and click on facebook. Tony Luberto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vpd66 Report post Posted December 20, 2014 Also check out Youtube. There are some helpful videos. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elmore Report post Posted January 28, 2015 I'm working on disassembling and cleaning the sewing machine, but cannot figure out how to remove the presser bar (E.) and vibrating presser bar (H.). I was able to remove the presser bar position guide (A.) by removing the set screw holding it in place. This freed up the presser bar position guide lever (B.) to move freely up and down the presser bar. The lifting bracket (C.) can move as well, but seems confined to the channel where the hand lever normally is. The presser bar bracket (D.) is free to move as well. Looking at the parts list PDF, I'm guessing all these components must slide off once the presser bar has been removed. There are two other set screws at the top and bottom of the presser bar that go to the presser bar bushings that I loosened, but the bushings remained firmly in place. Not sure where to go from here! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tejas Report post Posted January 28, 2015 The most detailed service manual I am aware of for the Singer 111W155 is TM 10-3530-202-24. I bought a copy via ebay. Here is a link quite readable online copy. https://archive.org/stream/TM10-3530-202-24#page/n1/mode/2up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elmore Report post Posted January 28, 2015 Tejas, thank you for providing that link! That is by far the most readable one I've seen, and it looks like a very complete service manual. I'll add that to my growing collection of 111W manuals and leaf through it this evening and see what I can learn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted January 29, 2015 I would not rip apart the entire machine, this will probably cause a lot of timing problems. I would thoroughly clean and oil it ad give it a new paint job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tramps Leatherworking Report post Posted January 29, 2015 I concur with Constabulary, unless there is a mechanical issue, I would not disassemble the machine any farther than is necessary to give it a thorough cleaning... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elmore Report post Posted January 29, 2015 I've been carefully marking the default positions of pieces so that reassembly should be easy, but I wasn't sure how far into disassembly I could go before I started to affect something like the timing. I will probably not take it apart any further than where it's at currently. Constabulary, I'm pretty sure this photo is of your very clean looking machine. This was the goal I was working towards in terms of cleanliness. Were you able to get it as spotless without removing a lot of the pieces? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted January 29, 2015 My "secret weapon" is paint thinner or in particular cellulose thinner but I´m not sure if it is technically the same "stuff" that I use. This is what I use: http://www.ebay.de/itm/5-Liter-Waschverduennung-Verduennung-von-Recolor-fuer-Autolack-Reiniger-E0075-/201025074668?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 It is quite aggressive and resolves the paint but in case of repainting the machine this effect can be helpful. This really removes all the old grease and oil but I´m sure you have something similar in the US. I´m no chemist I just know that it works very well. BTW if you want to repaint it with wrinkle paint I heard that the VHT wrinkle spray paint is good. I have a few cans but never have used it. Maybe it will try it on my next project. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
