Singer industrial machine model 281-24

[hollyobrien]

I just inherited a Singer industrial sewing machine model number 281-24 with an Alphasew clutch motor.  Would like to replace the motor with a Servo motor.  Does anyone have any recommendations?  I'll be using this machine to make fabric and light weight leather handbags.  Was also wondering if anyone knows how old this machine might be?  Thanks! 

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

That's the one with the factory cloth puller correct?

[hollyobrien]

I'm not sure, it doesn't mention that in the instruction manual. 

[Sam I Am]

You can get a lot of info about your machine here:  http://ismacs.net/index.html

[Uwe]

The Singer 281 Service Manual ( Singer 281-5, -6, -20, -22, -23, -24 Service Manual.pdf) was printed in 1964, so your machine is likely from the mid '60s. Singer serial numbers can be used for more precise dating of many Singer models. 

Servo motors are discussed in many topics here on LW. Check one of the recent ones:

 

 

Edited November 30, 2017 by Uwe

[Wizcrafts]

Before you change to a servo motor, you need to know that this machine is meant to be operated at very high speed in order to distribute the oil from the oil pan to the furthest extremities. It also produces very short stitches.

If you intend to sew much slower than its rated 5500 spm, at least get a servo motor than is able to spin up to 4000 rpm, or faster, with the pedal down. You'll want at least a 70mm to 100mm motor pulley, if not larger. Besides the motor's rated top speed, the motor to machine pulley ratio determines the maximum speed. I've seen these machines in garment production shops and the motor pulleys were larger than the balance wheel pulleys on the machines! They were operated at full speed by little old ladies wearing babushkas.

This machine needs to be spun fast (well over 2500 spm) after sitting idle. You can do this with the thread out of the needle and the presser foot up. After spinning it at top speed for at least a half minute, you can re-thread the needle and begin slower sewing. There is an oil inspection port covered in glass that will let you know if there is enough oil being distributed.

If the machine has been unused for a long time, the oil pan may be low or empty. You will need to buy a quart of Juki Defrix or Lily sewing machine oil and fill the oil pan to the marked height. Clean out any lint or dirt from the oil pickup filter before running the machine for the first time. Also, check the cork seal to make sure that there aren't any cork sections missing, which could allow oil leakage.

Use caution if you sew any leather goods with that machine. The longest stitch length is 10 per inch. That could filigree some leather.

[gottaknow]

Aside from all the oiling requirements that Wiz addressed, the 281-24 is primarily for woven fabric. It's a compound feed which means the needle bar moves front to back with the feed dogs to move the material through. It sews flimsy nylon and polyester to medium weights. Wiz is right about the stitch length on leather, you'll likely get tearing. That's not to say the machine isn't useful. We used 100's of the 281 series to sew nylon baffles together to make down jackets and vests. It's best feature is there are two stitch length mechanisms. One is for the needle bar stroke, the second for the feed dogs. You can actually set the feed dogs to move slower than the needle bar in order to prevent ply shift in flimsy material. Really handy for production sewing. They are meant to sew at high speed, and they will fly. It was the first series of machines I worked on back in 1980, so I have a fondness for them.

The 281 class covers a wide array of machines, basically using the same casting. There are some 281's that are drop feed only, the needle bar moves straight up and down and the feed dogs move the material. Not so great on slippery fabric, great on cotton. the 281-30 has a close couple puller that sits directly behind the presser foot. It is really useful for setting binding on lightweight material. It is a drop feed machine so the binding folder can sit really close to the needle. It came standard with a binding foot, feed dog, and a throat plate that included the folder mount. Keeping with the dual stitch length feature of the 281's, the stitch length adjustment that controls the needle bar actually controls the speed of the puller. Some of the nicest looking lightweight binding I've ever seen came off a 281-30. They are still used to run binding without setting it on material and simply making hangar loops for shirts and jackets.

Regards, Eric

[hollyobrien]

Thank you so much for all of the information, will keep it handy while I refurbish!!