Yep, I bought another one - 111W117

[dikman]

When I first saw this I thought no, table looked shot, rust on the baseplate and the motor was old. No model number listed. After looking at the photo on the sale site (rear only) I thought it looked like a 155. Hmm. So I rang the guy, he didn't know the model number offhand but it belonged to his father-in-law who use to repair sails. Asked him how much he wanted (I pointed out the obvious shortcomings) and we agreed on $100. I couldn't very well say no, could I?

When I got there and saw it was a W117, and not a 115, I figured I might as well take it anyway, even though I don't know anything about the model. As it turned out the rust looks worse than it is and the baseplate should clean up ok, fortunately the rust didn't penetrate underneath. The table is scrap, but the stand looks rather nice and appears to be cast (although non-height adjustable). The motor will be going straight in the garbage. The guy has put a crude wooden handle on the handwheel.

So, out of this I've got a nice old stand, kneelifter, yet another bobbin winder and a few bits and pieces. And the head unit, of course. My intention was to drop it onto one of my existing tables, but the baseplate is longer than all the other Singers I have!!

Information on the 117 appears to be scarce but mine has this peculiar looking (to me) thread tension arrangement - I haven't seen it on any other 117 pics in Google. Also, in the second photo there is a vertical bar behind the plate with the thread guide, this bar moves up and down with the needle. No idea what it's for.

Finally, what's the depression next to the feed dog for?

It's not the heavy duty machine I was hoping for, but maybe it's a candidate for my treadle table (when I get it finished).

Oh, my wife said I'd better stop looking, she's trying to downsize our household but she said I keep bringing more things in .

[patria]

I think its a real bargain for the iron stand alone @dikman , great find

I am myself try to find 1 or 2 old iron stands just like yours, i just think it just looks much cooler on the livingroom 

And just how many machines you have currently if i may ask? 

 

Patria

Indonesia

Edited February 22, 2017 by patria

[Constabulary]

the w117 was a machine with trimmer for sewing sleeves in coats. I have a Singer 111 brochure, I will scan it and post it in the days to come. Brochures say it has an automatic tension adjuster and vertical trimmer

[suzelle]

Love it! Looks like lots of work, but I can visualize it all fixed up. Great base! The foot pedal is charming.

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

We have four or five of these machines, sold one in the past 18 years, and the guy was looking for one and happy to have it.  We were happy to sell it!  

It was with a 1/4" gauge, and I think the knives are available.

Machine has some added stuff on it, like said, not sure at all what that stuff if about.

See attached parts book and sale catalog information.

111W116,W117.pdf

Singer Bridgeport Wheeler Wilson 111W Class.pdf

[MADMAX22]

Didn't you just get a machine like 2 days ago

Looks like it wouldn't be too hard to clean up and other wise looks in decent shape.

[dikman]

Patria, 8 industrial, one Chinese shoe patcher and 2 domestic - a drop in the ocean compered to your horde! I quite like the stand, but I have no chance of putting it in the house!!! In fact, I'm not sure where I'm going to put it.

Gregg, thanks for that brochure, it explains exactly what the mysterious vertically moving piece is for, it moves the cutting/trimming arm (which I don't have) up and down. It also explains another strange bit that came with it that I couldn't figure out, it's the release for the cutter. It looks like the normal thread tensioner is a fairly generic type so I need to look at replacing that peculiar setup on this machine - it obviously works but I don't like it.

Yeah, madmax, I my wife said I'd better stop looking! I've got a bit of work ahead of me, what with restoring that treadle, cleaning up this machine and making a table to suit it.

 

[patria]

I never consider it my horde. 

Its my father's , i sort of borrow it until the business is rolling and i can afford newer/better machines

Just try to figure how many machines that settle you guys that has been in this hobby 

i always get a cynical face around here when i tell them i want a onother sewing machine

"You collect what?? Sewing machines??" 

[dikman]

I know what you mean .

My wife told me I'd better stop looking! The folks at my shooting club didn't believe me when I said I'd just bought two more machines. They can't say too much as I make their gunbelts and holsters .

[suzelle]

A friend of mine just offered me an oldie (full treadle base converted to electric motor) with I think a 39-15 head in it. So it is the bigger treadle base, he wants $50 for it and I'm tempted to get it. But wood table is in bad shape. He said he'd drop the price as he has been sitting on it a while and no space. Yikes! I would buy it just for the base, maybe. LOL. It's a sickness, saving the Singers. : )  Somebody has to do it.