Looking For Larger Hand Wheel For Singer 95-10

[Mike516]

I was going to do this some time ago but have been doing pretty well with my small business so I kind of got sidetracked a little. I had some notes about doing all this but I can't for the life of me find them.

I want to try and use my Singer 95-10 to sew pig skin to 7/8 oz veg. and make some nice dog collars.

As I'm not an expert sewer by any means, I would like to swap out the original hand wheel for a larger one.

Did they make bigger hand wheels for these old machines, and if so what size should I look for and where might I look for one?

While I'm here asking that question, I may as well make sure I'm going to do this right. I'm thinking of using #92 nylon thread with a #20 needle and work from there. Does that sound right?

Thanks!

[Cascabel]

You might check with industrial machine dealers in your area. Many of them have old machines lying around to salvage parts from. I was able to get the huge wheel from a junk Singer 29 for five bucks. If either you or a friend can do lathe work, it is easy to make the necessary modifications or adapter bushings to make the wheel fit. I put the model 29 wheel on a 42-5 machine that was missing its wheel.

Edited May 19, 2015 by Cascabel

[Mike516]

Crap, I didn't want to have to do any modifications like that. So they never made bigger hand wheels for these machines? I guess it makes sense. They wanted them to go faster not slower, so making a larger hand wheels probably defeats the purpose.

[Cascabel]

Personally, I like a large wheel. The inertia of a heavy wheel makes for more power to punch the needle through tough materials while going slow.

[Geneva]

You better buy a sewing machine capable of sewing leather and forget the hand wheel.

You can not use a 92 thread on this machine it will not work. The machine was designed to sew around 3500 stitches per minute on light cloth to medium cloth.

[Mike516]

Ok, I understand.

I also have a Singer 96-10 that might be better suited. But I've never used it, it's been sitting in my garage.

Would I be able to get a bigger hand wheel for that one or should I consider getting a real leather sewing machine?

[CowboyBob]

The 96 is a longer arm version of the 95 so it won't sew any different,like Geneva said they both were made to sew fast & thin materials.

[Mike516]

That is disappointing. I really thought I read somewhere that the 96-10 for sure was made to sew leather. I suppose I'll stick to hand stitching. Leather sewing machines are real expensive and I hate to invest in one without even knowing if I can sew adequately to make use of it. Thanks all.

[Mike516]

What if I invested in something like this: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/consew-CP206R.php ?

Edited May 21, 2015 by Mike516

[Geneva]

You probably did read some where the 95 and 96 will sew leather; on one of those stupid auctions that is listed on ebay. The guys that advertise those machines as being capable of sewing 6 to 8 ounce leather are basically liars.

That machine will not do. It can not stand being run on 7 or 8 ounce material as a steady diet. It is designed to sew canvas not leather.

You need a Singer 111w153, Juki LU-562 or 563 an Adler 67, 167, 267, 467; Phaff 335, Tech Sew makes a good one. They are all walking foot machines and will sew 3/8th of an inch material.

If you want to start a business don't mess around with the houseshold machines they will not work.

Good luck.