Sewing machine question

M

MBurks

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Mar 21, 2016
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I know this should probably be in sheaths and such but I'm not real familiar with everyone over there. I may not post a lot here but I do value the opinions here.

I may be able to buy an old singer sewing machine for cheap, I haven't seen it yet but a fellow I work with got it for free just to move it.

It is supposed to be for leather, and was so heavy they removed the motor to load it in the truck.

Currently I am waiting to hear back from him he was going to put the motor back on and try it.

I'm thinking an old machine like this would be worth a little bit of a gamble but was hoping for some opinions.

Like I said I haven't even seen it yet but I should know more in a few days.
 
Get the model # if you can. Then you'll get better advice. Singer made many different models suitable for leather, but only some are able to deal with the thick heavy weight leather used in sheaths, like the #7 for example. There are many more of the Singers suitable for upholstery or boot tops out in the world than there are machines for heavy duty leather. Singers are built like tanks, and parts are still available. If you are near a good sewing machine mechanic, unless the machine is rusted solid it will be a pretty sure bet.
 
Thanks, i will see what I can dig up. I do have a friend that does upholstery I may be able to get him to take a look at it if I need help.
 
I have a singer 29-4 (I think that's the model #). It's called a "patcher". It will see leather but it makes tracks on the surface, the good side. It's going up for sale😜 It's made to reach into a boot and patch it. It has a long thin arm that holds the bobbin. You turn the presser foot so you can sew in circles without moving your work piece. Because of that, it has to advance the leather from the top. Oily boot leather don't show the little teeth like veg tan does, apparently.
 
I haven't found much info but one guy posted on a hot rodders forum it would see 8 layers of marine vinyl, I'm not sure how that compares to leather though.
 
That is an upholstery Singer, somewhat similar to a Consew. It will sew garment leather, a forge apron, and canvas ... but not even the lightest weight sheath.

The foot/knee bar on the "J" arm engages the clutch. The motor runs all the time as long as the power switch/pedal is ON.

Unless you are interested in sail making, or making leather vests, it won't do you much good.
 
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Thanks Stacy, it would have sucked to buy something that took up that much space and not be able to use it. I am going to check with a buddy that does upholstery and see if he knows anyone who needs one.
 
Nope, not a shoemaker's machine.The cobbler machine have a long arm base. The lower arm is thin and sticks out over an open throat. The machine MBurks is looking at has a flat table for sewing sheet materials. Using it for a shoe would make sewing a sole to the upper impossible. The other type used for upholstery and shoes is a high post unit. They raise the bobbin and foot straight up six to 10 inches. Some will do bags and light weight shoes stitching, but most still won't do a sheath in 8-10 oz leather.

Here is the sewing machine style for shoes:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SINGER-29K-...730588?hash=item1a0d9fde1c:g:zZsAAOSwFMZWtbbs

Here is a high post unit:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Industrial-...752155?hash=item1ebf6f291b:g:M5cAAOSwnHZYdasL

I did a little research, and the machine shown by MBurk is a Singer model 211W146 heavy duty upholstery unit. It has bottom feed. The bigger ones also have a top roller feed.
Here is a top roller modle of the same machine:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SINGER-211W...565833?hash=item360fef2909:g:lzoAAOSwxKtX~rKc
 
I know the machines.
(the first one is actualy a shoe repair machine)
I should have been clearer.
We use machines like that to construct the upper leather of shoes before the upper leather and the soles are put together to be a shoe
(stitching flat pieces of leather together to make a "shaft")
OT not very usefull for sheets
 
I have a chance to get a SINGER SEWING MACHINE 191
Is this a leather sewing machine? or an upholstery one as mentioned earlier

thanks
 
google gives me this one
009.jpg


it won't take the thick thread you want for a sheath and won't go throug several layers of thicker leather
 
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