Looking for a leather sewing machine, but only have a limited space

[DonInReno]

I really like that little Singer - what a great idea for a table top machine.  

All those 1500 watt motors grabbed my attention - did you get a good deal buying a bunch of them?   

[FellowLeathersmith]

So was I wondering, does the Singer 111w153 sew through leather and what extent would it go? What kind of projects and you see doing with this sewing machine?

[DonInReno]

8 hours ago, FellowLeathersmith said:

So was I wondering, does the Singer 111w153 sew through leather and what extent would it go? What kind of projects and you see doing with this sewing machine?

It’s quite similar to the 111w155.  You might have a hard time telling which is which if you were sewing with a 153 and 155.
 

This is a screen shot from the Singer user manual.

Googling user manuals can be a quick way to learn about a machine - most have a description of the machine early in the manual.

For any singer models, Ismacs has a good (but not perfect) list and brief description.     http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/classes-100-199.html

 

 

[FellowLeathersmith]

So I came across on a Singer 151W1, I dont know much about them nor seen any videos on them. What do you think about this sewing machine?

[chrisash]

151W1

Industrial

One needle and belt-driven rotary sewing hook; lockstitch; space to right of needle 5 3/4". Automatic lubrication of hook race. Unison feed. For use in manufacture of corsets, leather palm gloves, and for stitching close to the edge of collars, cuffs and similar work.

135x1; 135x3 for silk thread.

[FellowLeathersmith]

1 minute ago, chrisash said:

151W1

Industrial

One needle and belt-driven rotary sewing hook; lockstitch; space to right of needle 5 3/4". Automatic lubrication of hook race. Unison feed. For use in manufacture of corsets, leather palm gloves, and for stitching close to the edge of collars, cuffs and similar work.

135x1; 135x3 for silk thread.

So pretty light stuff for this sewing machine?

[FellowLeathersmith]

So I found this Singer 111w153 only the head for $300 total. Is that a good buy or just look around?

[Uwe]

$300 for a Singer 111W153 head seems reasonable to me - if it‘s complete and serviceable. You’ll likely have to learn how to service the machine yourself anyways. It’s a good starter machine in that regard - they’re easy to work on. Common parts are generally still available for these machines and they’re cheap. 

Beware of sellers who have no clue about how to properly package a head for shipping. If you put a 70lbs head into a cardboard box with foam peanuts, you’ll all but guarantee that it’ll get destroyed during shipping. Find a local pick-up deal if at all possible.

Edited March 26, 2021 by Uwe

[chrisash]

On top of that you have the cost of a servo motor and table

[DonInReno]

The way shippers handle heavy packages is horrible - and that’s not only based on the number of damaged items, but the observations of our youngest when he worked part time loading delivery trucks.   Essentially plan on a boxed up sewing machine being dropped on the floor from waste height - that’s simply what’s accepted by all the major carriers now.  I won’t buy and ship from an inexperienced individual outside of eBay because there is an 80% chance of it being damaged.

If something is damaged in shipping and purchased through eBay they have a good system to make sure you get your money back.  
 

Having said that, beware of anyone who wants to shift the burden of shipping onto you - then if it’s damaged in transit it’s your problem.