Omega sewing machine question

[Desircustoms]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a walking foot machine and stumbled upon an Omega sewing machine online, but the pictures are low quality and the seller says he can't take more pictures because its sitting inside his dark shed.

He says its for leather and furs, and he has been using it for furs. I asked him for a serial number or some more info to find out if it actually has a walking foot, and he gave me "135x17" as a serial number the next day.

So I'm assuming it uses 135x17 needles, and from my research most walking foot machines use these needles, so I'm asking you guys what do you think?

Does some non walking foot machines use 135x17 needles also or they're exclusively made for walking foot machines?

The machine is 3hrs away, so I'm trying my luck here, before I plan the trip.

Thanks

[Wizcrafts]

19 minutes ago, Desircustoms said:

I'm looking for a walking foot machine and stumbled upon an Omega sewing machine online, but the pictures are low quality and the seller says he can't take more pictures because its sitting inside his dark shed

Does some non walking foot machines use 135x17 needles also or they're exclusively made for walking foot machines?

I've never heard of or seen an Omega sewing machine.

Other machines can use the same needle system. Additionally, there are different types of walking foot machines. Some are top and bottom feed and others have compound feed. There is a world of difference between those, even though they use the same needles. You really need close up photos of the head showing the left side of the head. This is where the crank shafts come out that power the feet. If you can obtain good sharp pix of that end and post them here, we can tell you what type of walking foot machine it is.

Note, this is really important if you plan to sew leather, especially any leather that remembers marks. The dual feed machines have teeth on the feet and very few, if any alternate foot options. The top foot pulls the material in sync with the feed dog. Triple feed machines have all manner of feet available, cheaply, most of which are smooth. Teeth aren't needed because the needle, inside foot and feed dog all move in sync.

There are ancient dual feed machines that are bottom driven but have a spring loaded outside foot that follows the material back as it stitches then lifts and springs forward for the next stitch. I have a Singer 42-5 that uses that system. Singer walking foot machines from the 1910s through 1940s used this feed. With the advent of the Singer 111w103, 153 and 155, they switched to the triple feed system that persists to this day. There are even some specialized walking foot machines that have a needle feed and jumping foot.

If you will be sewing cloth, webbing and vinyl, any type of feed will do.

Note #2: System 135x17 is a round point needle for cloth and woven materials, but not leather. Leather points are called System 135x16 and come in a multitude of point shapes.

[Desircustoms]

40 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

I've never heard of or seen an Omega sewing machine.

Other machines can use the same needle system. Additionally, there are different types of walking foot machines. Some are top and bottom feed and others have compound feed. There is a world of difference between those, even though they use the same needles. You really need close up photos of the head showing the left side of the head. This is where the crank shafts come out that power the feet. If you can obtain good sharp pix of that end and post them here, we can tell you what type of walking foot machine it is.

Note, this is really important if you plan to sew leather, especially any leather that remembers marks. The dual feed machines have teeth on the feet and very few, if any alternate foot options. The top foot pulls the material in sync with the feed dog. Triple feed machines have all manner of feet available, cheaply, most of which are smooth. Teeth aren't needed because the needle, inside foot and feed dog all move in sync.

There are ancient dual feed machines that are bottom driven but have a spring loaded outside foot that follows the material back as it stitches then lifts and springs forward for the next stitch. I have a Singer 42-5 that uses that system. Singer walking foot machines from the 1910s through 1940s used this feed. With the advent of the Singer 111w103, 153 and 155, they switched to the triple feed system that persists to this day. There are even some specialized walking foot machines that have a needle feed and jumping foot.

If you will be sewing cloth, webbing and vinyl, any type of feed will do.

Note #2: System 135x17 is a round point needle for cloth and woven materials, but not leather. Leather points are called System 135x16 and come in a multitude of point shapes.

Thanks for the information. I think it may be like the singer 42-5.

Here's the best picture of the head.

 

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Desircustoms said:

Thanks for the information. I think it may be like the singer 42-5.

Not even close! It would take two of the Omegas to make one Singer 42-5. The machine looks like a Consew 206 clone. Triple feed walking foot, with reverse. I would call it a common upholstery class machine.

[Desircustoms]

16 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

Not even close! It would take two of the Omegas to make one Singer 42-5. The machine looks like a Consew 206 clone. Triple feed walking foot, with reverse. I would call it a common upholstery class machine.

I mentioned the 42-5 because it looks very similar in design from the front.

Good to know you think that it looks like a walking foot. I should be able to sew light to medium weight leather with this right? I'm planning on doing a cowhide jacket.

Thank you for your help!

Edited November 26, 2020 by Desircustoms

[MtlBiker]

2 hours ago, Desircustoms said:

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a walking foot machine and stumbled upon an Omega sewing machine online, but the pictures are low quality and the seller says he can't take more pictures because its sitting inside his dark shed.

He says its for leather and furs, and he has been using it for furs. I asked him for a serial number or some more info to find out if it actually has a walking foot, and he gave me "135x17" as a serial number the next day.

So I'm assuming it uses 135x17 needles, and from my research most walking foot machines use these needles, so I'm asking you guys what do you think?

Does some non walking foot machines use 135x17 needles also or they're exclusively made for walking foot machines?

The machine is 3hrs away, so I'm trying my luck here, before I plan the trip.

Thanks

That looks like quite an old model... Omega has a sort-of cheap clone of Sailrite machines, and when I looked at them, I wasn't too impressed.  Particularly after looking at Sailrite's videos that show the differences between their machines and the clones.

Is the price good?  Probably has a clutch motor rather than servo.  I believe the Canadian source for Omega machines is right here in Quebec... https://walking-foot.com/

You can get a new one for about $600 with warranty.  And the dealer often has ads on Kijiji for demo models for about a hundred bucks less.

I decided not to get one because I really lusted after a genuine Sailrite, but they are just too expensive for me at the moment.  I ended up finding a good deal on a dealer demo Consew RB206-5, which I'm very happy with.

What are you planning to sew?

 

[Desircustoms]

50 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

That looks like quite an old model... Omega has a sort-of cheap clone of Sailrite machines, and when I looked at them, I wasn't too impressed.  Particularly after looking at Sailrite's videos that show the differences between their machines and the clones.

Is the price good?  Probably has a clutch motor rather than servo.  I believe the Canadian source for Omega machines is right here in Quebec... https://walking-foot.com/

You can get a new one for about $600 with warranty.  And the dealer often has ads on Kijiji for demo models for about a hundred bucks less.

I decided not to get one because I really lusted after a genuine Sailrite, but they are just too expensive for me at the moment.  I ended up finding a good deal on a dealer demo Consew RB206-5, which I'm very happy with.

What are you planning to sew?

 

Thank you for your input.

I offered 200 and he accepted, do you think it's too much? I think I'll be going to see it tomorrow.

I did came across both the walking-foot.com and Sailrite websites searching for more information. Will definitely checkout the video showing the differences between the Sailrite and clones, thanks. 

I'm looking forward to sew a medium weight cowhide jacket. I did one by hand 3 years ago but it took me way too much time to finish.

 

Edited November 26, 2020 by Desircustoms

[MtlBiker]

21 minutes ago, Desircustoms said:

Thank you for your input.

I offered 200 and he accepted, do you think it's too much? I think I'll be going to see it tomorrow.

I did came across both the walking-foot.com and Sailrite websites searching for more information. Will definitely checkout the video showing the differences between the Sailrite and clones, thanks. 

I'm looking forward to sew a medium weight cowhide jacket. I did one by hand 3 years ago but it took me way too much time to finish.

 

Sounds like you really can't go far wrong with that!  Except for the driving... you said 3 hours each way? 

You sewed that jacket by hand?  Wow!  It looks amazing!

Best of luck!

 

[Desircustoms]

45 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

Sounds like you really can't go far wrong with that!  Except for the driving... you said 3 hours each way? 

You sewed that jacket by hand?  Wow!  It looks amazing!

Best of luck!

 

Ok nice to hear, I'm not looking to spend too much money, as I don't sew that often.

Yes about 6hrs total trip. I hope it'll be worth it.

Yes I did it all with a sewing awl, I used an old nylon jacket as pattern, and kept the old zippers, now I need to change all the zippers.

Thank you for the compliment and your help!

[Wizcrafts]

30 minutes ago, Desircustoms said:

Yes about 6hrs total trip. I hope it'll be worth it.

At least the price of gas is at its lowest in years. You should be able to test the machine when you get there.

[Desircustoms]

On 11/26/2020 at 6:54 PM, Wizcrafts said:

At least the price of gas is at its lowest in years. You should be able to test the machine when you get there.

I finally got it today, thanks for your help! I found a 29k71 not too far from the omega, so I went for both machines today.

300cad for the 29k71, it looks in good shape, seems like the bottom gear parts have been replaced.

I'm not sure how upper threading goes on the Omega,  I just figured it should looked like this from reading different machine's user manuals, and I was able to makes some stitches...

 

[Desircustoms]

[Constabulary]

Good score for 300 CAD, I´d say. The green machine has a driven top feed but no needle feed. It should work well with garment leather. The 29K71 has a broken thread lever (easy to get and to replace.)

Edited November 30, 2020 by Constabulary

[Desircustoms]

11 hours ago, Constabulary said:

Good score for 300 CAD, I´d say. The green machine has a driven top feed but no needle feed. It should work well with garment leather. The 29K71 has a broken thread lever (easy to get and to replace.)

Great to hear that, thanks!

I was going to weld the lever today so I can try it asap, how do i remove it? Its attached with some sort of punch pin, do I just punch it out?

[Constabulary]

The pin is tapered and goes out from back to front. A few gentle hammer taps should drive it out if not rusted in place. Then remove the thumb nut and spring - done.

[Desircustoms]

53 minutes ago, Constabulary said:

The pin is tapered and goes out from back to front. A few gentle hammer taps should drive it out if not rusted in place. Then remove the thumb nut and spring - done.

Ok thanks, I tried hitting the front with a hammer and it didn't move. Just greased it and I'll try again later. I'll heat it up a bit to see if it also helps.

[chrisash]

You can find new parts here and they ship world wide as far as i know https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/parts-by-machine/singer-sewing-machine-parts/singer-29k-71-parts and the take up lever is only £6.90 say $10 us

[CowboyBob]

@Desircustoms Here's a manual for it.

Rex,Chandler 26-188 A@ manual.pdf

[Desircustoms]

3 hours ago, CowboyBob said:

@Desircustoms Here's a manual for it.

Rex,Chandler 26-188 A@ manual.pdf 1.13 MB · 2 downloads

Thanks mate! Exactly what I needed.

[sandmanred]

Your omega looks a lot like a Singer 16 I had for a while.  Your thread up looks right to my memory.  Enjoy!

 

[Desircustoms]

The 29k is working, except there's an issue with the front wheel, it stops engaging when the needle touches the material, maybe some teeth are rounded.

Anyhow I'm satisfied, will order a few parts soon.

Thanks everyone for the help!

 

[Constabulary]

reg. hand wheel engaging - do you have a manual and parts list for the machine?  If not see below link

Most likely the plunger for the hand wheel is stuck or the spring is defective or maybe even missing.

Singer 29K71, 29K72, 29K73.pdf

 

[chrisash]

Is the needle centered in the hole it goes through, if you swivel the plate around there is another hole at the other end that may be larger or smaller

The top screw above the needle holder can adjust the needle either to the left or right to make sure it clears the hole and also picks up the hooks loop

[Constabulary]

also - make sure the gib on the stitch length adjuster &  the adjuster it self are correctly installed if not it may cause shorter stitch length.