Fixing Up A Singer 111W155

[Elmore]

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

[Constabulary]

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

[Elmore]

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!

[Constabulary]

You are welcome - I was in about the same situation last year when I restore my 111G156

[vpd66]

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.

[Tejas]

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

[Tonywinsew]

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

[vpd66]

Also check out Youtube. There are some helpful videos.

[Elmore]

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!

[Tejas]

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