Old Singer Sewing Machine

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I was in Paso Robles this week and saw this machine for sale in a consignment mall. The seller says it will sew leather but he didn't know anything beyond that. It's obviously commercial but don't know if it will sew the kind of stuff we do. Canvass and garment leather is probably a good guess. The guy is asking $450 for it but will take less.

Does anyone know any more about this machine? There was no model number or other data plate on it but the serial number is 112387258

I don't have any place for it but will be glad to furnish the guy's number if any one is interested.

[Good Troy]

Marshall....
Please let me know the contact information for this gentleman.

If I'm doing this right, Singer shows this to be produced in 1892!
http://www.singerco.com/support/machine-serial-numbers/no-letter

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Yeah, Troy. 1892 looks right by that list. I sent you a PM. If you find out more, let us know.

[Trailrider]

These old Singer's are practically indestructable, and depending on what you want to do with it. Until they could no longer get parts for the particular models, some of these old Singers were used at Cape Canaveral to repair and refurbish the nylon ribbon parachutes used to recover the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters! I don't think any of those were quite as old as this one, but they probably dated back to the 1920's or '30's. In case you think repairing nylon chutes was nothing like sewing through leather, let me assure you that the nylon ribbons making up a 136 ft. diameter main parachute were more than 1/4inch thick. (We used surplus ribbons as tow cables for our cars!  ) Can't say just how thick leather that old machine can handle. In point of fact, it is the size of the thread that is a big determinent in what a sewing machine will handle. I can actually punch through about 8-9 oz. of leather with my wife's old Sears machine, cranking it by hand, but it won't handle the 3 and 4-cord thread needed to sew holsters, belts, etc.  My TSC-441, will, of course.

[Good Troy]

I use a domestic model that belonged to my wife's late mother.  It was built in the late 1910's.  It has a motor drive, but I turn the fly wheel by hand, and have sewn through 4 to 6 oz leather.  I use it only for trim/decorative work, as you say, it is limited on thread size, so I don't use it for seams. 

[Kent Shootwell]

I owned one of these in the late 70s and sewed up a tent of heavy canvas, one spot was 7 layers thick. Don't remember it failing to sew any thing I tried on it. Traded it for a double barrel muzzle loading shot gun that I still shoot. Do miss that machine just because it was so fine a machine.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It sounds like someone will end up with a good machine. Thanks for the information, pards.

[greyhawk]

This 'n is commonly called a boot patching machine - I have one in my garage (still searching for parts so this thread may help me with that) the long skinny "free arm" is made so you can do repairs to the uppers of high top boots, gets way down in there easy even right down in the toe , its got a rotating foot so can make it feed in any direction, can use that to do fancy stitching patterns like on toes of cowboy boots etc This machine has a small bobbin and works with fairly light thread so boot upper leather is fine - up to about 3mm hide - not a heavy harness machine - would do canvas repairs ok but for much of that a flat bed machine way better. Singer made a lot of very specialised machines way back - I saw one heavy machine with a special curved bed so you could do repairs to english style saddles. They are a lot like old guns, technology has improved the materials they made from, but the design was functionally perfect at the start.
Greyhawk        

[StrawHat]

Not this machine, but I use a Singer treadle base as the power source for the wheels I use in my sharpening business.  As has been said, old technology with a modern use.

Kevin

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Years ago I set up an old treadle machine with a Singer mechanical slip clutch and a 1/2 horse dryer motor. I don't remember the brand, maybe Standard or something. It would sew through anything. Period. If the needle got off a little, the machine just kept going and the needle turned to fragments. I had to wear safety glasses when I used it. The stitch length was too small for most leather working so I eventually got rid of it.

[Massive]

These are fun machines and they are still made today, though shoe shops seem to be going out of business, so I am not sure why.  Reconditioned singers sold by dealers can get 2K, but there are a fair number being sold for peanuts, so I do not know how good an investment they are.  I bought one fro 75 dollars, and I use it off and on  Very clever mechanism.  It runs on about 69 thread, and 16 needles, though other options are available.  Consumables are easily available on ebay, and parts like feet and bobbins.

They are designed for patching uppers, and other than being a light duty machine they are a walking foot only machine.  Uppers are typically made of synthetics or chrome tanned, all stuff that does not mark, but the only way to move material through this machine is with the foot, and it will mark the top of veg tan easily.  While they are not the right machine for it, I know several folks who turn out beautiful shoes on these things.

The machine will punch through thick leather, possibly in an awl function, but the combination of the feed and the needle size means there is little ability to actually tension even the light weight thread.

I am not a machine collector, but at times I almost wish I could be.  Among the beautiful machines I wish I could own the patchers are the only ones that are reasonably cheap and useful, you can repair your running shoes with these!

Here I am sewing a beak onto a penguin

[Good Troy]

Here's the response I got from Singer on the machine....
I'm going to pass on buying it, though it would be kewl to own.

Thank you for contacting Singer® Customer Care.





Our records show that serial #11288725 belongs to Singer Model U.F.A. (universal Feed ) or 29K machine manufactured on August 25, 1892 in Clydebank, Scotland.

For parts on your older machine, you may contact one of the following locations:

1.  All Country Sew and Vac - Union, New Jersey -  866-281-1220



2.  Singer Service Center - Paramount, California -  562-531-6352

3.  Singer Service Center - Syracuse, New York -  315-433-5215

4.  Jim Sorrell
     www.Sew-Rite.com
     405-382-5925
     9:00 am to 6:00 pm (CST)
     Sewman@sunset.net

5.  Andy Fields
     313 Longview Rd.
     Hutchinson, KS   67501
     620-662-0570

6.  www.antiquesewmachine.com

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Cool research, Troy. Thanks for sharing it.