dikman Report post Posted February 22, 2017 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 . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patria Report post Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted February 22, 2017 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suzelle Report post Posted February 22, 2017 Love it! Looks like lots of work, but I can visualize it all fixed up. Great base! The foot pedal is charming. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregg From Keystone Sewing Report post Posted February 22, 2017 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted February 22, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted February 22, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patria Report post Posted February 25, 2017 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??" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted February 25, 2017 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 . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suzelle Report post Posted March 3, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suzelle Report post Posted March 3, 2017 2 minutes ago, suzelle said: 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. I think I meant 31-15 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted March 3, 2017 At $50 that's a steal, and if he's prepared to drop it further.......I wouldn't hesitate for 1 second if someone offered me that! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) On 22.2.2017 at 4:28 PM, Gregg From Keystone Sewing said: 111W116,W117.pdf Singer Bridgeport Wheeler Wilson 111W Class.pdf and here is mine - finally. Just have scanned it Singer 111w Class Machine Brochure.PDF Edited March 5, 2017 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted March 5, 2017 Excellent, Constabulary, I've added it to the growing list of documents that I have. The pictures explain a couple of things about mine, in particular that the thread tension parts are definitely non-standard. I also note that mine should have 1/2" clearance under the feet, so it would appear to have been re-adjusted 'cos it definitely hasn't got that much clearance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted March 6, 2017 (edited) You never know what Singer "tinkered" for their customers when they needed a machine for a special purpose. Industrial machines always have been "tuned" for some special purposes and you never know what the former owner or a dealer did with it. Thats just part of the "buying used machine game" Edited March 6, 2017 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted March 6, 2017 I doubt it is a Singer mod, it looks a little homemade (even though it's a pretty good job). It's just a really bizarre setup. Anyhow, my replacement tension assembly arrived today from Kunpeng. Very quick service and just bolts straight on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yetibelle Report post Posted March 6, 2017 That Singer base is highly sought-after. They clean up very nice and look great with the old machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted March 6, 2017 Nice! Mine has a single pedal but yep, I don't know where I can use it but I'll definitely clean it up and might even just put a nice table top on it. Whatever happens I'm not getting rid of it!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted March 17, 2017 It's cleaned up fairly well. The gray paint on the base is a fraction lighter in colour but close enough (it came from my modelling stuff - I used to make plastic kits) - and is an old Humbrol paint. My airbrush tip is just a little too fine for something this large but it was better than using a bigger spray gun. The metal plates around the needle area were rubbed down with fine wet and dry paper to remove most of the rust, then rubbed with steel wool and coated with a heavy wax. I figure the chances of getting replacement plates for this slightly weird beastie is probably nil and Buckley's so they'll have to do. Now all I need is the tension release slide mentioned in my other thread. Everything else appears to be in pretty good shape internally. I'm toying with the idea of finding/making a suitable handwheel and fitting a handle to turn it into a handcrank machine. It also looks like it might handle #138 thread - maybe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted March 19, 2017 The previous owner had fitted a wooden handle to the handwheel (handle was too small and a very rough job of fitting it!). I made a bigger handle and used the vertical mill to get the handle to sit square to the wheel. This at least let me try running some thread through it. I had to drop the needle bar so that the hook could grab the bobbin thread but then worked fine and it ran some stitches in a piece of 5 oz. leather. It's going to need some adjusting though as it wasn't happy with a piece of 8 oz. (Using #69 thread and size 19 needle). I'm now thinking that maybe I'll make a small box frame to fit the base (like the old domestic Singer's had). This will make it a "portable" machine, inasmuch as portable means it can be moved - it's still bloody heavy - but I have to get the thread release sorted, it's pretty hopeless without it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted March 19, 2017 (edited) Nicely done. Atleast with old steel you can just add some elbow grease and get looking functional old again. I gotta figure out my knee lift linkage on my 111, where that L bend at the top goes thru the machine mounted linkage it scrapes at the original paint and I find it highly annoying. May have to find a rubber spacer or something to keep it out just a smidgen and off the paint. Edited March 19, 2017 by MADMAX22 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suzelle Report post Posted March 20, 2017 dikman, great little modification you made on the handwheel! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
