BrownChicken Report post Posted December 1, 2016 I just bought a 31-20 and its got the original motor by singer. No way this motor is still good for sewing? I mean it seems ok but no way. I also really am worried about the end of the motor that's open and just spins wildly. My cat is going to rip her leg off if I forget to put her up! I kind of dislike when I start to stitch it takes a while for the belt to engage because it slips too. So I need a new motor right? Also seems to have the original switch or what not. I've replaced the switch on my overlock just fine but I'm not sure what I'm going to run into replacing the switch box with this crazy old wiring! I have a LOVELY Wilcox and Gibbs 5 thread overlock it looks brand new and I got it for $400 also have a sailrite portable zig zag it's okay. I don't recommend anyone getting a sailrite portable zig zag save a few hundred bucks and buy the reliable. I bought this pos (but lovely looking machine) just because it had such a long arm and I needed more room for sewing canvas! I sew light leather on my sailrite fine but now I have a beautiful machine and table! i couldn't figure out the answer to my question from the older posts so please help! Also anything I can do to close off the spinning disc? Is light leather really okay for this machine? With the older motor and slippery belt? Thanks so much Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrownChicken Report post Posted December 1, 2016 That is the listing photo the belt is tighter now but maybe not tight enough since it takes a bit to get it started and catch? Also the scary part of the motor that's going to rip off my cats peg leg: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrownChicken Report post Posted December 1, 2016 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brmax Report post Posted December 1, 2016 It is a nice looking machine. I need to re read the post a bit more and respectfully without crackin up, so one thing at a time. But no doubt 1 peg leg is enough for the cat, and that pulley has to do its thing so if you decide another motor is the ticket. Well it may be just what someone is looking for to be original or whatever. Most servo motors ordered come with a switch on the front and some may have another box for the switch and mountable a bit closer. Floyd Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted December 1, 2016 That is a really cool, original setup and looks almost new. It is from the days before safety standards however so there is no guard and fitting one will be hard i suspect. Do us all a favor and keep it complete. Compared to machines, there are VERY few original table setups around and would be desirable to a collector. Your machine is also basically unused and would be more valuable with the original table and motor to a collector i imagine. Good news is, you can just take out the motor, clutch, switch and wiring and replace with a new servo motor. Any of the vendors at the top of the screen can hook you up. May need to do some figuring for the pedal linkage, again the dealers on this site will likely know exactly what needs to be done. Best part is, they only make noise while sewing, and stop running when the needle stops unlike that noisy clutch motor you have right now. As to yer belt, leather belts stretch, especially if they are left under tension for 30 years without use. In the picture, the staple looks half out as well. The ends of the belt should be touching. New round leather belt is available though the one that is on it likely will be fine if you shorten it a bit. You can also get modern synthetic round belting from mcmaster-carr. Not sure if you have this but as singer manual scans go, this is a gem. You can actually see the pictures. Most of them look like they were scanned with a usb hairdryer... http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/ff071da0793d2bb38d46f9052d2c69bc15cff672.pdf It says your machine is made for canvas which can get up there in thickness and sewing difficulty. It takes up to a 22 needle, which is the size for 138 thread so needle and thread wise it should be fine with lighter leather (provided the tensioners and bobbins will also run 138, this i don't know). Not a compound feed so you may have issues with material feeding and backside marking to watch out for. The issue will be speed, It also says max speed is 2200spm which is way faster than most leather people sew at. When buying the servo, get the smallest pully possible and talk to the dealer about possible speed reduction devices. It cane make a huge difference in punching power Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
