sewing machine

[brankulo]

i just got fat bike and want to get into making my gear. i have read threads here, and from what i understand, old metal sewing machines are way to go. now i have searched craigslist in my area, asked friends and such but cant find affordable machine, except the ones saying industrial for couple hundreds. so my question is, are new plastic machines totally out of question? they dont seem that expensive even new. i remember as a kid, when i lived  in europe, my grandma had metal machine, built into table, she was sewing leather working gloves. i wish i could have that machine here.

[Adam Alphabet]

I used the sh*t out of a plastic EuroPro when I was learning and it went through way more than I think it should have. I was able to hand crank through webbing and corduras. I made a tonne of gear on it.

A pic of it here. I'd just be cautious as I'm not sure all plastic machines are built equally. Others will chime in....
https://churningbutter.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/tools-of-the-trade-strike-hobby/

[brankulo]

ok, so friend of mine knows somebody who has this:

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they dont know if its working but are willing to sell it. any opinions about this model?

[12wheels]

That's a Singer model 15, probably a 15-91. It's a classic all metal machine which will handle the webbing, fabric, and heavier threads you'll use making gear.   It's easy to service and replacement parts are available and inexpensive.  Buy it if the price is right, $50-75 for a working machine.

[sebadmz]

Not sure if the same, but the sewing machine i have it´s very simmilar to that one, one hell of a machine, used to be of my grandmother, of course we bought the electric engine and the lamp.
Here are some pictures.
Check out my post about the saddle bag i´m making, it was done with this machine.



50 to 75 $ wow that´s a bargain, if it comes with the table and all that.

[bumbler]

That's a Singer model 15, probably a 15-91. It's a classic all metal machine which will handle the webbing, fabric, and heavier threads you'll use making gear.   It's easy to service and replacement parts are available and inexpensive.  Buy it if the price is right, $50-75 for a working machine.

Yep, that's a 15-91. Grab it. Great machine; very desirable & lots of online maintenance/repair information.

[brankulo]

thanks again guys. i didnt end up getting above pictured machine. it was not working and the owner wanted quite a bit for it. meanwhile this machine popped up on local craigslist. i called the guy, it is working, he wants $80 for it. should i take this one? looks like newer model than the other one. looks like 306.

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[bumbler]

thanks again guys. i didnt end up getting above pictured machine. it was not working and the owner wanted quite a bit for it. meanwhile this machine popped up on local craigslist. i called the guy, it is working, he wants $80 for it. should i take this one? looks like newer model than the other one. looks like 306.

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Machine seems to be in decent condition; cabinet is rough. I'm not familiar with the 306, but did find this page which wasn't very complimentary [1]. Personally I'd probably pass, given the points about availability of needles & bobbins. Might not be a big deal, but could be a deal-breaker. Be patient & keep your eyes open; sooner or later something will come along.

Besides Craigslist, another good source for old machines is estate sales. Most of the machines I have I picked up at estate sales for less than what folks ask on CL.


[1] http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/2009/08/singer-that-should-be-forgotten.html

[brankulo]

ok, i googled some info and find thing on needles and bobbins too. they are available online, quite pricey. looks like i was not using right keywords first as i keep finding quite a bit of machines now just inputing singer keyword. i will keep looking

[brankulo]

thanks everyone. i ended up getting singer 237 at garage sale. it is missing bobbin case and presser foot. i can get both online but not sure what presser foot to use for bike gear purposes. it actually came with plastic one but not sure if it is ok, i always taught foots are metal. any idea on this.

[bumbler]

My machines are all straight-stitch only; I have an assortment of feet for it but almost always just a foot like this (which would also fit your 237):

http://shop.sew-classic.com/Low-Shank-Straight-Stitch-foot-narrow-45321-45321.htm

You may need a different foot in order to do zig-zag.

No affiliation with sew-classic, but I've purchases from them in the past with no complaints.

Good luck with your new machine; be sure to give it a thorough cleaning & oiling.

[brankulo]

great thanks. i cleaned insides yesterday. need to pick up some oil.

[brankulo]

thanks everyone for help. here is what i ended up with. ordered bobbin case and spool pin it was missing, plus couple other accessories as well as fabric for the first project.


upload pics

[brankulo]

ok so i am back seeking some advice. my first sawing attempts are rather frustrating. the machine is not sewing as it should. i had done some research and literally spent several hours adjusting and trying but cant figure out what i am doing wrong. i also had my friends wife (she used to work as a tailor) play with the machine without any luck. just wandering if any of yo guys might share some advice.
the main thing is the stitching is skipping. the slower you sew the more stitches it skips. if i go really slow, it just feeds fabric through and leaves thread loose with just stitch here and there. if i take it faster it would do continuous stitch with some stitches missing. this is very frustrating to me as i like to take it slow. now yesterday i received my fabric order along with nylon thread. with this nylon thread came another problem. as i start to sew the machine literally unbraids top thread or chews on it somehow at needle point. (i am using 100 needle as recommended for the thread). also when sewing fast the thread tends to jump out of the very last wire loop right next to the needle, or just gets wound around it. i am also not sure how to deal with such a large spool of thread on such a small spool pin that comes on this machine.
my conclusions so far: 1. tension assembly is toast. even on 0 setting the tension is rather high, especially when i compare it to bobbin tension. i took it apart and two discs are worn. could this be causing all this mess?
2. bobbin/hook housing. the hook sits rather loose in the housing. is this normal? there is little bit of play in it. can hook be the problem. the bobbin case is brand new.
again, i appreciate any advice.

[bumbler]

Sounds like a tension issue to me. I'd also check that you have it threaded correctly.

If you don't have it, here [1] is a 237 owners' manual; I haven't looked through it but it might show how to disassemble & adjust the tension indicator. If not, some Googling ought to turn up some results.

The spool rattling around on the pin could be a contributing factor as well; a spool stand as discussed in this article [2] might help.

[1] http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/2b978f44b6159571b8168c0410baa128abe9c6e1.pdf

[2] http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/spools-verse-cones/

[brankulo]

thanks bumbler. got it all solved. the problem was needle facing wrong direction. i thought the flat should face bobbin while manual shows opposite. that corrected all the issues. i also created spool stand per your 2nd link.

[bumbler]

Sweet! Thanks for the update.

[Smo]

Another way to remember which way the needle should face on a sewing machine is to look at which side the thread comes down on - the groove in the needle should be on this side, so that the thread can go in the groove.  I always remember things better when I'm thinking about how the function.

[offroute]

Hi threadmasters,

I just acquired a 1958 Singer 185 from Ma. It was serviced ten years ago, and not used heavily since.

Should it be capable of sewing bike bags? Pardon the general nature of the question; I can imagine there are variables. Thanks for your take.

[12wheels]

It's a nice classic straight stitch machine and should be adequate for most of the thread, fabric, and webbing you'll work with.  Read the manual, oil it up, and give it a try.