Is there standard for twin needle machines?

[katit]

Stopped by and checked those machines in person. My bad, they looked like walking foot but they are not? 

1. Machine with laaarge post is 138WSV102HP. Seem to be complete and gauge looks right at ~1/3. This one also does look like walking foot.

2. Machine with smaller post is 138W101

3. Machine with single needle all complete/working 17-30

 

#1-2 is of interest to sew French seams in out of shape places, etc. Seems like machines of the same breed, however feet's look different and they are not walking foot.

#3 is interesting because I can really get into any places I want with it. What is stich size and thickness capabilities? Is that a great machine? Guy used to be shoemaker and he really likes machine.

 

Question is: What are those machines capabilities? I need to do about 6-8oz at most (2-3 layers of upholstery leather). Will they do it without walking foot? They look heavy duty but without walking foot, strange?

Another question: Will I be able to get parts for those machines? Like gauge sets? Seconds machine does not have bobbin cover and hook, but those are standard..

Last question: Pretending they all were working when taken out of production and just covered in old dust/grime, what is fair/cheap market value? I want to make sure I can sell it quickly after I'm done.

 

 

 

Edited March 10, 2019 by katit

[Wizcrafts]

The non-walking foot machine was likely used to sew chrome tanned shoe uppers that don't have much drag. The teeth on the bottom really dig into the flesh side. If the original owner used small needles and thread, there wouldn't be much foot pressure required, making easy to feed shoe leather through it.

Machines like the above will not be as good with veg-tan leather and thicker thread/bigger needles. You will be fighting to hold the leather down to avoid skipped stitches. But, if you are sewing seat covers and they aren't grabby on top, you should be good to go, with #92 thread and a #19 or 20 needle. It really depends on how the hooks are built and set from the needles. They may or may not allow #138 thread to pass around them. Plus, the throat plate holes, or feed dog holes must be large enough to clear #23 needles to use #138 thread.

[Wizcrafts]

As for changing the gauges on the Singer post machines, there was a topic about this as recently as March, 2018. Bob Kovar (@CowboyBob) found compatible parts in a catalog for the 138, but it required changing the needle bar before they would go on.

[Wizcrafts]

Here is a link to a pdf for the Singer 138w101 post bed machines.

[katit]

I think machine #1 is walking foot, second picture shows it.. and it’s correct gauge. 

Do you know what WSV in a middle means?

HP at the end looks like “high post”

Do you have any idea what is a good price for such machine will be?

 

thanks a lot for all the info!! I really appreciate it

[shoepatcher]

Ok.  Machine is a walking foot because I see three shafts coming down.  One for needle, one for inner foot, one for outer feet.  It is a 138W102 but the SV means special version.  The HP does stand for high post.   That is a rare machine.  Never seen one.  The feet changing would probably not be a problem.   I had a double needle version of the 111 which was a 111W139 and the feet look the same.  The throat plate and feed dog is another story.  I think Consew makes a double needle walking foot post that might fit your throat plate and feed dog.  We need to see pics of the feed dog out of the machine and the throat plate.  what is the gauge spacing on this machine?  Should be a number on the feet like 5/16",3/8".,  you get the idea.  As Greg stated, the most normal gauge spacing is 1/4" in apparel, 3/8" in upholstery.  If you ever find prices for the different parts like the feed dog, outer foot, etc.,  the 1/4" is usually the cheapest because it was the most popular in a lot of fields.

What are they selling it for?  $500.00 would be a good price if it works in my opinion because of the rarity.   Love to see more pics of the machine especially from the front and back.

glenn

[katit]

39 minutes ago, shoepatcher said:

Ok.  Machine is a walking foot because I see three shafts coming down.  One for needle, one for inner foot, one for outer feet.  It is a 138W102 but the SV means special version.  The HP does stand for high post.   That is a rare machine.  Never seen one.  The feet changing would probably not be a problem.   I had a double needle version of the 111 which was a 111W139 and the feet look the same.  The throat plate and feed dog is another story.  I think Consew makes a double needle walking foot post that might fit your throat plate and feed dog.  We need to see pics of the feed dog out of the machine and the throat plate.  what is the gauge spacing on this machine?  Should be a number on the feet like 5/16",3/8".,  you get the idea.  As Greg stated, the most normal gauge spacing is 1/4" in apparel, 3/8" in upholstery.  If you ever find prices for the different parts like the feed dog, outer foot, etc.,  the 1/4" is usually the cheapest because it was the most popular in a lot of fields.

What are they selling it for?  $500.00 would be a good price if it works in my opinion because of the rarity.   Love to see more pics of the machine especially from the front and back.

glenn

 

Glenn,

Thanks for feedback! It does look like 3/8 spacing but I didn't see it better. Also I measured spacing in car(s) seats that I like and it's 7-8mm which is slightly less. I'm pretty sure machine works, but there will be no way to test it. It turns, it's even threaded. But years and years of grime. No rust though from what I can tell. From what I know it was taken off the factory all working.

So, SV (special version) can mean anything I guess? I only see top of the post rounded and I guess this part is special. What kind of other "special" stuff they did?

I am guessing I can get it for 100-200 as is. Wanted to make sure I can get little more after it's cleaned/adjusted and working if I decide to get rid of it.

 

Adding larger pic of the post..

 

 

 

Edited March 12, 2019 by katit

[shoepatcher]

I would buy it just because of the rarity and the $100.00-200.00 price

glenn

[katit]

Purchased manual before machine. Anyway, not sure what it means. 102 is not for heavy thread? What is heavy in w103 would mean? I don’t need more than 138 on top...

[katit]

I got my answer. 103 is definitely heavy duty and not what I need. Judging by needle size 102 is just perfect for upholstery. Need to figure out where to get 126x10 needles..