What needle size do I need for my Singer 31-15

[Natcamp]

I have a singer 31-15 and am just getting started with leather work. I can't find what size needle I need for my machine. I ordered dpx16 but they seem too big. I had some needles that came with the machine and they say 16x87 but I don't know how to find them. I found somewhere that dpx16 was compatible, but they don't fit my machine. I would like to run size 138 thread on top which takes a size 20-22 hole in the needle for the thread. Thank you for your help. 

[MADMAX22]

What year is your machine? Heard the early ones only run up to 69, mine a later year runs 92 no issue. Need to get some needles myself as using random ones that came with the machine.

 

 

[Natcamp]

1 hour ago, Natcamp said:

 

It is a 1950

[Natcamp]

1 hour ago, MADMAX22 said:

What year is your machine? Heard the early ones only run up to 69, mine a later year runs 92 no issue. Need to get some needles myself as using random ones that came with the machine.

 

 

 

It's a 1950. 

 

[Uwe]

This Ebay seller (Jim Taly) has the needles you need in all sizes: http://r.ebay.com/7z3Umx  I've ordered needles from Jim Taly on several occasions and I've had good experiences buying from him.

I'm sure several of our banner vendors carry them, too.

Your machine may need to be adjusted to make it work with these needles.

Edited February 24, 2017 by Uwe

[Wizcrafts]

The DBx1, 16x257, et al, needles Uwe posted the picture of are the ones I use in my 1921 Singer 31-15. I have them in round and leather points, from sizes 12 through 20. My machine maxes out with #69 bonded, or #80 cotton jeans thread, so a #20 needle is bigger than I will ever need. My machine cannot tension or clear #138 thread on top at all, so there's no need for a #22 needle. Maybe NatCamp's 1950 model has a bigger hook than my 1921 model.

If for some reason the proper needle system doesn't fit his needlebar and clamp, somebody along the way may have installed the wrong needlebar and clamp for that machine and meant it to use a different needle system (unlikely, but possible).

But, if the shank of a DBx1, et al, fits inside the needlebar and clamp but won't pick up the bobbin thread, the bar may have moved from an impact, throwing off the timing. Installing the proper needle system and lowering or raising the needlebar in its clamp inside the faceplate should bring the top of the eye just below the oncoming hook on the upstroke.

Finally, the cutout scarf above the eye must face due right to position the loop properly for the hook to pick it off.

[Natcamp]

10 hours ago, Uwe said:

This Ebay seller (Jim Taly) has the needles you need in all sizes: http://r.ebay.com/7z3Umx  I've ordered needles from Jim Taly on several occasions and I've had good experiences buying from him.

I'm sure several of our banner vendors carry them, too.

Your machine may need to be adjusted to make it work with these needles.

Thank you!  I will give this a try!  I just raised my needle bar as high as it would go for the dbx16 organ needles and it picked up the bobbin thread a couple of times sporadically. 

[Natcamp]

My needles arrived yesterday. I couldn't be happier!  Thank you guys!  I was able to use 207 thread on top. I used 92 in the bobbin, I didn't try to use a bigger thread in the bobbin. I may try 138 in the bobbin and see how it goes. It ran like a dream with the 207 on top and 92 in the bobbin 

[Wizcrafts]

Who woulda thunk it?

2 minutes ago, Natcamp said:

My needles arrived yesterday. I couldn't be happier!  Thank you guys!  I was able to use 207 thread on top. I used 92 in the bobbin, I didn't try to use a bigger thread in the bobbin. I may try 138 in the bobbin and see how it goes. It ran like a dream with the 207 on top and 92 in the bobbin 

 

[Natcamp]

I just tried 138 in the bobbin with 207 on top. It sewed beautifully!  

[Natcamp]

Works beautifully with 277 on top also. Maybe someone has made some modifications to my machine 

[Uwe]

Post some close-up pictures of your machine and some stitch samples when you get a chance. Achievements like that need to be documented! 

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, Uwe said:

Post some close-up pictures of your machine and some stitch samples when you get a chance. Achievements like that need to be documented! 

I especially want to see a close-up or two of the shuttle, race and bobbin case.

[MADMAX22]

Finally got some leather needles for my 1947 machine, tried some 207 top 138 bottom just for fun. It made a stitch and looked good on top but wouldnt pull the knot into the leather. Not saying much as it barely pulls the knot in with 92 top/bottom. Stitch looks great on top though. 

Ofcourse I may need a new tension spring as the one on it is probably original. 

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, MADMAX22 said:

Finally got some leather needles for my 1947 machine, tried some 207 top 138 bottom just for fun. It made a stitch and looked good on top but wouldnt pull the knot into the leather. Not saying much as it barely pulls the knot in with 92 top/bottom. Stitch looks great on top though. 

Ofcourse I may need a new tension spring as the one on it is probably original. 

There are heavy duty beehive tension springs available for most industrial sewing machines. I got one from Bob Kovar for my Singer 31-15. I put it on to sew with bonded nylon and change back to the lighter spring to sew with cotton thread.