31-15 Users: Do You Use A Motor Or The Treadle? And How About Needles?

[SantaFeMarie]

I know there are a few 31-15 users out there. I'd like to know: are you using the treadle? Or a motor? Do you need the added oomph of a motor?

Also, what's the largest needle/thread size that you are using?

[amuckart]

31-15s with intact treadle bases are somewhat uncommon. Most machines lost the treadle drive wheel when they were converted to motor driven.

I have a treadle one that had been converted but still had its treadle wheel. I replaced the pitman rod with one from a 29k stand and removed the motor, which pretty much halved the weight of the whole thing.

I haven't found anything that the 31-15 will sew that the treadle won't power through.

Learning to treadle does take practice, especially with the industrial stands but it works well in my experience. I do end up handling the hand wheel a lot more than I would with a motor driven machine though.

[Wizcrafts]

I have a servo motor powering my 1920s Singer 31-15. It uses the stock 16x257, aka: 1738 needles. I have a variety of presser feet and feed dogs, including a complete roller foot conversion kit. I typically run it at about 15 to 20 stitches per second, but can slow it down to 1 per second if needed. This is a tailoring machine.

As for needle sizes, I use whatever the job calls for. Right now it has a #12 needle and common 50 weight household thread that was used to hem a shirt. When I sew zippers with it, I switch to a #18 needle and use #69 bonded nylon thread. The smallest needle I have used in it is a #10, but it can take smaller. The largest is a #19 or #20. My machine doesn't like any thread larger than bonded #69. Some 31-15 owners have more modern hooks and shuttles that can manage #92 thread. Not mine ;-(

The only time this machine sews leather is zipper replacements on lightweight leather coats. However, it can be used to sew patches onto biker vests, using the roller foot conversion. Again, it is a tailoring machine for garments.

[amuckart]

Thanks Wiz. Do you know what the structural differences were between the 31 class machines billed as tailor's machines like the -15 and the ones designed for leather, other than the roller pressed feet?

The 31-15 was definitely a tailor's machine originally, but it seems to be very popular was a machine for leather garments and cowboy boot tops.

Thanks.

[cdthayer]

I still am unable to quote previous posts, but to answer the question posed by SantaFeMarie, my main 1939 Singer 31-15 is in a modified industrial treadle. Basically, it’s a regular-sized industrial treadle with the top shortened to trim it down for storage and transport.

I use Tex90 bonded polyester thread with a size 18 16x87 universal needle. It is fitted with the #12263 small roller foot, feed dog, and needle plate set. I don’t ever change thread size or the presser foot, only thread colors. I use the machine for repairs and small projects made of vinyl, thin billboard vinyl, canvas, and thin leather or imitation leather. I also use it to recycle used billboard vinyl into fitted outdoor equipment covers. The repairs usually require a lot of hand-wheeling, but I get to use the treadle for the long runs of seams and hems on the billboard vinyl equipment covers.

I have a 1951 Singer 31-15 that I’ve experimented a little with, rigged with an earlier style handwheel (largest) and a steering wheel spinner knob acting as a handcrank. I use the same thread and needle combination, but it has a standard presser foot, NP, and FD set on it. It’s more “portable” than the treadle, but I still have to use an old wheel chair to pack it around. I haven’t gotten to use it much yet.

I haven’t ever used either of my 31-15 machines in a power stand.

CD in Oklahoma

[leecopp]

I am currently running all of my industrial machines on foot powered treadles, Singer 31-15, 42-5, 21W180, 20U, 16-33, Davis Mfg A.

I run most of my industrial heads on a White Sit Straight domestic treadle. It is wide enough for an industrial head and the smaller domestic drive wheel gives you a bit more power than the Industrial treadle. The White treadle is somewhat more available than an intact Singer Industrial treadle down here in Florida.

http://i.imgur.com/y6Ocq.jpg White Sit Straight Treadle. I have another one with an industrial top which I use for various industrial machines.

It is possible to convert some motorized Singer Industrial treadles back to treadle power by using a drive wheel from a domestic treadle and cobbling together a pitman arm to fit.

http://i.imgur.com/mpHIiZC.jpg Old Singer Industrial treadle converted back to foot power.

Treadles are a lot of fun (and a lot easier to control than a clutch motor for us tyros)

Lee in Florida

[SantaFeMarie]

Wow - how great is that!!! Are you using the 42-5 with leather?

Edited April 7, 2015 by SantaFeMarie

[Cascabel]

Wow - how great is that!!! Are you using the 42-5 with leather?

Not wanting to hijack this thread, but I have a 42-5 that I use for pretty near everything, including leather up to a maximum of 3/8 of an inch, plus heavy upholstery fabric and canvas. Mine has a clutch motor, which is easy for me to control using a couple of "tecniques".

[SantaFeMarie]

Thanks for the info. Is it a "walking foot"?

[cdthayer]

Do you have a treadle Singer 31-15 SantaFeMarie?

CD in Oklahoma

[SantaFeMarie]

No, but I think I would like to get one.

[Cascabel]

Thanks for the info. Is it a "walking foot"?

The 42-5 has a type of walking foot. It is a spring loaded secondary foot that moves with the feed dog, and snaps forward as it raises up to get another "bite" on the fabric. There are two feet that move up and down alternately. One simply moves up and down, and the other which is spring loaded moves back with the feed dog, and snaps forward when it raises up, which happens when the other foot is down. I hope I explained the operation in an understandable fashion !! Take a look at Wizcraft's informative thread at the top of the page about the type of machines to sew leather. It was originally intended to sew various types of thick materials, but works fine for leather. It will sew as much thickness as you can shove under the foot, because the upper tension does not automatically release when the foot is raised to its limit.

[leecopp]

To augment Cascabel's description, I have some photos and additional notes on my web page at:

https://sites.google.com/site/oldironmachines/home/singer-42-5

It is somewhat interesting that the 42-5 has several physical similarities to the 16-35 including the odd rounded end bed, bed mounted bobbin winder, similar faceplate tension assembly. The 16-35 is a short shanked predecessor to the Singer 31-15.

Lee in Florida