Singer thread tension slide - part #264527

[dikman]

Can't find one. I just spent the better part of a day trying to get my 111W117 thread tension disc to release - the 117 doesn't come with a "normal" tension setup as it has an "automatic tension release" (whatever that is). I fitted a standard tension assembly but after fitting a suitable pin I found that every time the foot lifted during normal operation it released the tension disc!! Eventually, after viewing one of Uwe's excellent videos I realised this part was missing - 'cos it isn't fitted on this model!!

Anyone know of a source (preferably cheap) for this part? If not I'll have to make one, I guess.

Other than this bit the rest of it appears to be in pretty good condition and looks like it's basically an early version of a 111W152/153.

[Constabulary]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Singer-153W-Tension-Release-Slide-New-Part-264527-/112044515054

[dikman]

Saw that one, unfortunately he (she?) doesn't ship to Australia!

[Yetibelle]

This guy has everything, plus some stuff I have never seen before - worth a shot.  I have just looked at his pictures never contacted him.

Steve's Industrial Leather Sewing Machines 126 Booloongie Road,, 4670 Gooburrum, Australia +61 419 393 750

 

[Yetibelle]

Ok I grabbed some screen pics of these machines - what a great collection - This is the only Class 8-8 I know of.  I think you don't even bother to tan the leather you just roll the whole cow right through those rollers and a saddle comes out the other side. HAHA

 

 

[mikesc]

Is it possible that is singermania's place ?

[dikman]

I think it is, I'll send him an email.

[sandyt]

9 hours ago, Yetibelle said:

Ok I grabbed some screen pics of these machines - what a great collection - This is the only Class 8-8 I know of.  I think you don't even bother to tan the leather you just roll the whole cow right through those rollers and a saddle comes out the other side. HAHA

 

 

Is this what heaven looks like?? Then I am not afraid anymore......

[kellyblues]

Have it sent to me and I will send it anywhere you need it to go. 

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

OK, now my interest perked up.  Few things.  Number one, are you sure this part is going to work in conjunction with this machine?  

Second, make sure (SURE) if you do go with this part, use a good quality item; a good quality tension release slide will break like glass; poor quality will bend like a paper clip.

I've got more than one of these 111W117s here, and now I have to see for myself what is going on.  I'll report back.

 

Edited March 16, 2017 by Gregg From Keystone Sewing

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

OK, here we go.

Let me preface that this post comes with some emotional turmoil; Seeing the Abco SOS tag make me feel like "If you can't find anything to do, don't do it here!" "Get back to work!"  Thanks for that, Dad.  Abco was formerly who we are now.  Abco was chosen so we would be listed at least near the top of the list, close to first  listed sewing machine dealer in the Philadelphia telephone book.  Today, of course people don't think like that any longer.  For some younger folks, this is why you see so many names like AAA, A-1, or the like.  My mom got tired of spelling Abco for people all day.  This was between 1977 through 1980 before we moved into the building we are in now.  Small window into my mind, thanks for giving me at outlet to share!

  Anyways, let get on with it if your still reading up to this point.

I think the machine in question is missing some parts, and this is how the tension release works, very different than just about any other machine I can think of, but very few have an edge chopper.  BTW, the chopper arc is missing on these two, I've got one more with it not pictured.  Between all three, we may have one complete machine.

Check the pics, think this is going to provide the best visual explanation I can give.  There are no internal sewing parts that are going to release the tension, as setup from the factory.  

 

 

Edited March 16, 2017 by Gregg From Keystone Sewing

[dikman]

Gregg, thanks for doing the detective work! I knew this particular model has an "automatic tension release", but couldn't figure out how it worked ('cos mine's missing the factory one but had a homemade version fitted). I also wondered about that big arm coming down from the top, now I know what it's for and how it worked! An unusual machine, to say the least. As for the internal release parts, I had already noticed, in the parts list, that these parts aren't fitted to the 117 but are fitted to the 116. I'm making an assumption here that being a 111 class machine there is going to be a commonality of design and parts fitting in many cases. I've already removed all the presser foot pieces and from what I can tell that missing piece should just drop straight in. At the moment the only way to release the thread tension is to push down on the arm at the back that goes to the knee lift linkage.

Kellyblues, thanks for the kind offer, I'll keep it as a last resort (my past experience at doing it that way has had "difficulties").

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

Glad to help!  It's always fun to share, and I've learned a quite a bit here too, as usual.  Sharing here is ALWAYS a two way street.

[kellyblues]

So that's what that is.....I have a couple...few 111's and one of them has that. I was after one machine but had to buy the group, I came out okay. The rest have been stacked out of the way since. I plan on keeping at least one because I have a near perfect treadle base with all that mess. I was after a Landis super E. Sold the super E for twice what I paid for the group the next day. Only thing I've used from that particular herd is one of the  Singer 29's. Thanks for the explanation and pics.

[dikman]

You reckon you've got a W117 in your group? Quite a coincidence, as until I asked about it I couldn't find any mention of that model on the forum. They would appear to be somewhat uncommon, and, in my opinion, pretty useless as they come in standard form!!

[kellyblues]

7 hours ago, dikman said:

You reckon you've got a W117 in your group? Quite a coincidence, as until I asked about it I couldn't find any mention of that model on the forum. They would appear to be somewhat uncommon, and, in my opinion, pretty useless as they come in standard form!!

I didn't recognize it. I glanced at the thread and thought you needed help getting something so I offered to help. I have a bunch of machines and couldn't begin to to profess what they all are. Heck, I haven't seen many of them in a long time. I've purchased a good number of groups of sewing machines and set aside the ones I have no use for. There was a factory close to me that made jeans for years. When it shut down the building and everything thing in it sat dormant for about 30 years. When the contents sold I purchased the bulk of the sewing machines. Nobody around here knew a thing about sewing machines and I knew I could sell the super E really quite. The man that started and owned that factory was a cobbler at one time and had all the machines to perform those tasks. I sold the vast majority of that stuff to the same person. I pulled one of the 29's to use for myself and stashed the rest and haven't even looked at the rest of them in years. Apparently one of the machines I thought was a 111 I have now learned with this conversation is a 117. I would go look but it would take me a week to get to them and I'm not that interested .

[dikman]

An interesting story, must have been quite a collection you ended up with. I guess if you ever get bored then sorting and selling them will give you something to do .

I should clarify regarding your offer to help me. I've found in the past that some places in the US aren't interested in shipping to Aus, some won't take an Aus credit card (even to ship within the US) and many put ridiculous shipping prices on, presumably to deter buyers. This is why I buy much of my stuff out of China and Hong Kong - prices are good, they take Paypal and Aus credit cards and shipping is generally included, just makes my life easier.

This, by the way, is how I got into leatherwork. I needed a particular holster, and I had so much trouble trying to get what I wanted out of the US that I decided to make my own - and now this leatherwork thing is all getting a bit out-of-control!!

[dikman]

Lots of time on Google has come up with several part numbers for the same thing.

Singer 264527 - fits my 117 and 153W103

Singer 240500 - fits 111W154/155

Consew/Seiko 10546 - 206B

Juki B-1461-053-0A0 - Lu 562/563

Hopefully the industrial machine place in town can get one of them!

[dikman]

Got one from the sewing place (part #240500, the number I first quoted is defunct). Naturally, it didn't quite line up and needed some judicious bending and re-shaping, but I now have a working tension release! Another functioning machine to add to my (growing) collection.

Now for the 31K20.....

Edited March 25, 2017 by dikman