JimTimber Report post Posted February 10, 2017 Hi guys, I've become the new owner of a very well used Singer 211G256 and have some questions about it. First off, I want to thank everyone here for being so willing to share their knowledge and experience. I've learned a great deal from you before ever deciding to participate. This quest started about 3 weeks ago when I had to over-pay for some webbing stitches and finally decided it was time I seek my own means. I've made 2 leather holsters (wet formed, boned, and contract sewn) 6 years ago, and enjoyed the process but was always wanting to do the sewing myself. To make matters worse, my good contract seamster (the one who's seams didn't look drunk) retired and moved away. So I used all your posts when evaluating the various options and went from seriously considering a Chinese cobbler clone to buying the Singer when it popped up on CL last Sunday. Yesterday was the first time I've used a sewing machine in 27 years. :D The previous owner had printouts from other model manuals, but not the 256. Is this such an odd variant? It's not mentioned on the Singer collector's site master list. How is it different? While I know these are the machines that many other's have cloned, what feet and dawgs are interchangeable with my 211G? I've already got friends asking about zippers and I would like to be able to do piping when I get more proficient. The Mrs. won't let me touch her Bernina and she just got a Brother XR3240 that's never come out of the box for that matter. I got the Singer thinking it would be good for both of us, but for now she's happy I'm left to my own devices and not using hers - which is a win either way. So now I'm anxiously awaiting a couple things - my order of thread and smaller needles (I have 50 140/22's that came with it), and my Goldstar 600W servo motor. I thought about a smaller pulley to make the throttle more controllable, but the ability to cover ground at the current running speed will be useful when I'm doing nylon and canvas, which made the servo the obvious choice. I've got a 4' work light over the machine now, which makes it plenty bright to use. This pic was taken with just the ceiling light in my basement and that wasn't going to cut it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimTimber Report post Posted February 10, 2017 Here's the first holster I did. Vacuum forming with leaky plastic isn't a good idea. My second one worked out much better. Finished product: I still carry this holster almost every day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yetibelle Report post Posted February 10, 2017 Looks like a nice machine. I found the parts PDF for that machine or close enough. I'm not sure what sets the 256 apart from the others? The Servo motor will help with the speed and control, start with that first. Then if its still not slow enough you can add the smaller speed reducer pulley. There are feet for these machines, I assume it came with a standard foot, but you can get a edge-guide foot or a piping foot. 211G256_Parts_293nn2e2.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted February 10, 2017 (edited) Not sure about that model, I have a 211g155. You lucked out with the reverse however, that is nice. You can see if the serial number is listed on the database http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-sewing-machine-serial-number-database.html which will narrow down the date. With that emblem it should be post 50s Its not really meant as a holster machine, primarily a good upholstery type machine. Dont get me wrong it can handle leather fine, it is just meant for upholstery weight leather, canvas, things of that nature. Unless I am mistaken its pretty similar to the 211g156 (211g155 but with reverse). The feet and feed dogs and what not should be the same as the 111w which are used on probably half the sewing machines available (ok maybe not half but a lot). They are nice machines IMHO and even better with the reverse. Edited February 10, 2017 by MADMAX22 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted February 10, 2017 reg. age - The late 1950´s models with this "colorful" Singer tag had a black flat bed. I´d say yours is early 1960´s onward. But not sure when exactly the switched from 2 tone to 1 tone machines Maybe the attached manual will help you a bit. Service Manual Singer 221G155_211G156.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimTimber Report post Posted February 10, 2017 She purrs like kitten when running, just goes a bit too quick for my noobieness. Previous owner knocked it out of time and had Creative Sewing's tech (a local store) put it back and lube/service it in October. He was trying to sew 3 layers of heavy veg tan over a sandwich of canvas for Duluth style packs, and ended up riveting them anyway after breaking a 140/22 needle. I don't plan on doing anything of that nature, or heavy leather in general for that matter. Canvas, ballistic nylon, webbing, maybe a leather accent or base for durability - that's really where my focus is. I actually need a bunch of high quality tarps by summer time. I know it's not a saddle maker, and don't intend on beating it up with things like that. I'm also not getting into doing holsters for more than myself and maybe the Mrs. if she ever gets around to getting her permit. I brought a scrap of my heaviest veg tan to demo the machine and he just laughed when he saw it. Folded it in half and launched the piece through it full speed. Needless to say, I pulled out my money after that. I paid 400 for the whole thing, which I thought was a great deal even with having to swap motors. Icing on the cake was that it was only about 5 miles from my house and he helped load it into my truck. Never even ran it myself until I brought it home. I'll have to look for the serial number. I got a 3 ring binder with a printout of the .pdf manual(s) for a 155 and something else that he thought was close. I'm just not sure what's different, and if it matters? In watching the videos leading up to my decision to take the leap, I discovered the high desirability of the reverse. I wouldn't have bought a machine without it, even for nothing more than terminating stitches. Doing lap joints (not sure what you guys call the "X" stitching on webbing), being able to back up instead of having to turn the piece is a huge timesaver. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yetibelle Report post Posted February 10, 2017 The X box on webbing is just that; the machine is just for making a box with an X in the middle, but that is all it does. This is a special machine for binding the webbing. I sometimes do miss having reverse, but they are great machines, you will enjoy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimTimber Report post Posted February 10, 2017 I can't see a serial number on the machine. Here's some other pics I just took. It looks just like any other 211 with reverse to me, but then I'm the last person you'd want to ask about sewing machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted February 10, 2017 Look on the flat bed just below the label that says 211g256, thats where the serial number is on mine however dont be surprised if its not on that list my 211 isnt. Yours almost looks like the bed was painted at some time (weird to have the paint worn off but stop right at the flat portion) so they may have painted over the numbers but you should still be able to read them maybe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimTimber Report post Posted February 10, 2017 There's nothing there. If it was engraved, it's been filled. If it was on a plate, that wasn't riveted or the holes were filled. The base certainly does look like someone repainted it since the color tone doesn't match the top casting. There's a lot of splayed screw heads on it, which is what told me it's seen a lot of service. The colors being off, or gone, doesn't bother me. My metal lathe was made the year before I was born, and it's at least 10 years newer than my knee mill. I have a love for industrial machinery - it's made to be used and machines that look used work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted February 11, 2017 (edited) I forgot on these that some dont have the normal recessed serial number area. The numbers are basically stamped on almost looks like by hand like what you would do at home with a set of metal stamps. A layer or two of paint would have no problem covering them up. Edited February 11, 2017 by MADMAX22 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mixmkr Report post Posted February 11, 2017 Nice machine. I use its' grandchild, a Juki LU 562. It's good your tech lubed it up, but consider that you'll want to also do so in a semi regular basis as well. One drop at the metal to metal moving places and a bunch of those little holes located thruout the machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimTimber Report post Posted February 11, 2017 Thanks! I tried putting a 2" pulley on it, but the keyway in the new pulley is too small and the belt ends up being much too long (no more adjustment on the rod either) - I was fine with a sacrificial pulley for the week, but I don't want to source a belt that'll get tossed too. Looks like I'm stuck trying to learn the foot throttle until Thursday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brmax Report post Posted February 11, 2017 Nice machine, always was looking for one of them, somehow they got the smooth running really! dialed in. Maybe because they made a bazillion machines for us. Keep us posted on the fun Floyd Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimTimber Report post Posted February 12, 2017 Yeah, this one is a sweet sewer when you're not going too fast. I didn't even adjust the tension from the larger thread the previous owner had used and it was making nice stitches with my tiny thread. Just found out the Mrs.' new Brother will do lettering, so I need to figure that one out too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
