It followed me home....New to me Singer 111w

[Chayse]

I took a short trip to go and 'test drive' the 2 Singers I had mentioned in my earlier thread. The owner of these machines was maybe 25 and had very little knowledge of either of the Singers. Story has it that the upholstery guy at their shop up and moved, leaving the 2 machines behind. The boss told him to get rid of them...so like any smart person, he took them home. And there they sat in the living room.

I brought a couple of scraps with me from home...the only 3 scraps I had...some 1000D Cordura and some leather. Maybe you all can identify the leather, just a bag of cutoffs that you can buy at your local hobby store. I do not know the differences in leather yet...vegtan, etc. One of the machines was already threaded...not by the owner but the upholstery guy. The 211 had some #92, so I started there. The 211 sewed very nice on both the Cordura and the leather. I will admit that I had a hard time with controlling the clutch motor...a HUGE factory Singer clutch motor! I didn't bother to look at what HP or rpm that thing was ...all I know is that it was FAST!! Everything operated just fine with no issues noted.

So then I moved on to the 111...it was not threaded! I tried my best to remember how to thread this thing...I probably watched 30 videos last night on both of the machines. The 2 threads available on the stand were #92 and # 138, both UVR thread. I started with the 92 and had no issues...except for proper control of the clutch motor!. I forgot to bring one of my dogs squishy balls with me to put under the pedal...ugh! I then removed the 92 and threaded the 138...again..probably wrong! I did notice the tension was off and you can see in the below pics, the top tension is to tight. Overall, other than the tension, the machine had no issues. I will add that I have no idea what thread was on the bobbin of either machine.

I scoured the machine for flaws, wiggled things, moved the needlebar, rocked the handwheel for play...you name it. To a total novice like myself, it seemed fine. I paid the man our agreed price, $280, and he helped me load it. I will include some pictures below...and I am excited to have this machine! It did come with 62 new needles (i counted them..LOL), and 4 bobbins. Looking at the needles, they are marked "Indor 110", I believe they are size 18? For that matter, I do not even know if they a for leather or marine canvas...haven't researched them yet. As of now, the machine is in the garage until I can make a bit of room in the spare bedroom.....

Thanks to everyone for their advice and insight on the two machines, I think I made a good choice but only time will tell.

 

V/r,

 

Chayse

Some more pics...

[Chayse]

And some more....

[Chayse]

Stitches...just short runs on the Cordura and leather.

[Chayse]

Last ones...I promise!

[gottaknow]

Looks like a great find to me! Have fun. 

Regards, Eric 

[CowboyBob]

Good choice & great price.Now the fun begins!

[dikman]

I reckon you did real good! Trust me, you really need to ditch that motor for a servo, that thing is rated at 3500 rpm and even if you fit speed reducing pulleys it will be far too fast for a newbie to try and control. Trust me, I've been there, done that (and mine was rated at 1725 rpm!).

As for the needles, depending what you want to sew they may work fine for you, no harm in experimenting.

[Chayse]

Thanks @gottaknow, @CowboyBob, and @dikman...I am truly excited! If I would have had the funds and space...I would have bought them both! I can't wait to get started with these machines. Unfortunately, seeming that we just bought a house....certain 'honey-do's take precedence over my hobby. The biggest is getting the fence up for my rescue dogs....right now they have a 40ft x 100ft area to run. I have roughly 400 linear feet of fence to put up....and I am really not looking forward to it! But, they deserve the room and space to run...I will kindly take a backseat to them..just due to the fact that with their history, they deserve it.

 

V/r,

 

Chayse

[Yetibelle]

NICE find.  Looks like a good clean machine. 

Here is my advice - Get some eye protection safety glasses, especially while practicing with that clutch motor.  If the needle gets pulled one way or the other it will hit the hook or needle plate and snap, then head right for you eyes. 

I do notice that you have the welt foot on there,  It's harder to sew a flat or straight line with a welt foot (unless your actually using it as a welt foot).  So your going to want to get a some feet for it.  I use the spring loaded edge-guide foot, but some people just like regular feet and a magnet or screw-on guide attachment.  Someone once told me you run one size smaller thread on the bottom than you do on the top, so 92 bottom 138 top, for best results.  Once you get comfortable with the machine you can set it for 138 top and bottom but I have found it also depends on how thick of a project you sewing.  A little trick with the Singer machines is that you hold the top and bottom thread gently so they have a little tension on them as you make the first few stiches. This helps lock the first few stiches in place.  Also if you want to sew by hand turning the wheel with the Clutch motor, (off) you need to press the petal so it opens the clutch and you can then turn the wheel, otherwise it will be hard to turn.  However you will want to replace the motor as soon as you can. 

If the internal timing belt was ever replaced, sometimes the numbers in the window don't line up with the stich-count adjustment, its not a big deal, you just have to be aware of it. 

Needles: The 135X17 are for canvas and fabric --135X16 are for leather they will have a chisel point on them.

Scan of the guide:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B8SsIFb6Bqz7bnNlY2ctcktpWTQ

Enjoy I love my 111

 

 

[dikman]

Sharp eyes, Yetibelle! I ended up with a few welt-type feet, so I ground one set down to give me flat feet. Quicker than waiting for delivery from overseas.