Singer 97-10

[TheDavidLeathermanShow]

Hello all,

I have come across a singer 97–10 for sale locally in a shop sell off. The machine looks like it is in pretty decent shape.

I have seen a lot of topics on issues finding needles and such for this machine back in the early 2000’s but my question is has any of that changed since then? Are parts available for these any more than they were then. It seems extremely heavy duty and the shop made saddles and tack and that’s something I’d like to try my hand at. The machine comes with bobbins, needles, different presser feet, spare parts, and a couple manual/ parts books.

any input is greatly appreciated on this old beast of a machine.

thanks,

dave

[BigSiouxSaddlery]

I don't know much about the 97-10s, but I see a Landis #1 in the background, plus a bobbin winder, that I'd take ahead of the 97-10.  As old and obsolete at the #1 is, I think parts and needles are more easily available. But I could be wrong.

[TheDavidLeathermanShow]

Thanks for the input, honestly I don’t know what they’re worth but I may buy both the 97-10 and the landis

[DrmCa]

Correct me if I am wrong, but the needle system of 97-10 is 7-4. They are about $20-25 a pack and come in 23-25 sizes.

[TheDavidLeathermanShow]

I’m going to look at these machines this evening, I know not a thing about them other than I love old iron and want them haha

[CowboyBob]

12 hours ago, BigSiouxSaddlery said:

I don't know much about the 97-10s, but I see a Landis #1 in the background, plus a bobbin winder, that I'd take ahead of the 97-10.  As old and obsolete at the #1 is, I think parts and needles are more easily available. But I could be wrong.

I'll agree with you,as long as the Landis 1 has a good shuttle and tension spring on it anything else that could be wrong can be fixed easily,the 97 is a different story the parts in it have alot of machining to them & would be hard to make.

[TheDavidLeathermanShow]

Hey Bob,

I am going around 5pm this evening to take a look at these machines and other items in this leather shop liquidation sale.

how does one know if the shuttle is good? And tension spring? What do I look for/at ??

I’ve been into leather working for a few years now but I’m just to the point that hand sewing big projects is for the birds and now am getting into machines. I literally know very little about sewing machines but I do a lot of mechanical work, and without tooting my own horn I am great at taking things apart and repairing them I just need to know what worn parts to look for? 

also the leather shop liquidation sale is due to a local fella passing away about a month ago. So the equipment has been  in a heated shop and used frequently up until about 4 months ago. Although they may be a bit dusty , there’s hardly any corrosion

thanks 

dave

[DrmCa]

2 hours ago, TheDavidLeathermanShow said:

how does one know if the shuttle is good?

If it stitches, then it is good. This is no rocket science. Visually inspect for wear and sew a few leathers.

Hopefully there will be little wear on this slow machine as opposed to high-speed textile machines on which the thread literally grinds groves into parts.

Unfortunately this is not a guarantee against parts breaking down the road, which is possible due to the age.

[TheDavidLeathermanShow]

Thanks drmca 

when bob mentions tension spring, is that referring to the spring on the take up lever?

[CowboyBob]

1 hour ago, TheDavidLeathermanShow said:

Thanks drmca 

when bob mentions tension spring, is that referring to the spring on the take up lever?

Landis 1 has a good shuttle and tension spring on it,it's on the shuttle so when you pull on the thread from the bobbin it should have some tension on it.