Leather sewing machine neadle

[rebsr52339]

I have a 1939 singer sewing machine. It realy is a beautiful machine. I was told it was a commercial model, that instead of belt driven it is gear driven. For years I could sew anything I wanted to including heavy leather, say around 10 oz or so. Well I broke the needle last week and I bought a set of HD ones and then a set of Tandy Leather ones. The needles work fine. Don't look as HD as the old ones, but as I said they seem to work. I am now having a problem using the same thread as before. It brakes. I've tried all the tension settings and don't understand it. Any body got any ideas? Are there any special commercial needles out there I don't know about? Help.

[amin ledbetter]

How old is the thread?

When is the thread breaking? When the needle passes into the leather, or after it comes out and the piece being sewn is feeding through the machine?

It could be a lot of things that cause this, so it will take some narrowing down of the issues.

[rebsr52339]

Amin, the thread is new, heavy duty stuff. Been using it for years. It brakes when it comes out of the 4th, 5th, or 6th hole. It is very frayed. I can fold up 4 layers of 10 oz cotton duck, run it fast, slow, tight stitch or loose and it works fine. When I try and sew a folded over piece of 4 oz leather all he-- brakes loose. I am really baffled by it and I am willing to bet it is the needle. Perhaps this machine takes a special needle.

[Biscuit Joe]

I would guess the needle isn't the right size for the thread you are using. I have on hand thread from 69- 277 on hand at all times to sew with, as it takes a different size thread for different sized needles, and leather.
What size needle are thread are you trying to use together?

[ChuckBurrows]

Call the folks at Campbell-Bosworth - they can get you the right needle for the size and type thread and machine you are using, especially if you are using linen thread........

[rebsr52339]

Thanks for the input guys and the points to ponder.

Biscuit Joe, when I broke the neadle, I discarded the two parts and then could not identify it. The thread is the same as I always used from Walmart, Coats & Clark outdoor HD polyester. I guess I just hit on a thread neadle combo that worked.

Chuck, I will call them tomorrow morning. I'll skin this cat one way or another.

[outrider]

Rebsr,

I sent you a private message yesterday about this problem you are having.

What is the model number of the Singer that you have?  Is it a 15-91 or maybe a 15-120?  Both of these machines were gear driven and I have both.

[rebsr52339]

Outrider, I sent you a reply with photos etc. I am only including 1 photo. This is the message:


Rich;
  The brass plate on this one is AF823118. A friend of mine, now diseased, looked the machine over when my mother had it in the 50s or 60s, can't remember to well, and said it was a gear driven unit. The motor is directly attached to the unit and drives it with a worm drive. Attached are a couple of photos. I remember my mother getting up tight when ever anyone got near this machine. She got it I believe in 1939 or maybe during the war, that's WWll. It may have even been converted. Who knows? I had not changed the needle in it, then it broke. I have had it for 45 years. I was just wondering if I was not using the correct needle or something. This machine has been a life saver for me. Right now in just a couple of stitches it breaks the thread.

[rebsr52339]

I now understand the AFXXXXX number is the serial # and not the model #. I am trying to get Singer on the phone and get the model #. And I stand corrected, the machine was made in the early 1940s, I believe in 1941.

[outrider]

Jebsr,

According to Singer's serial number list your machine is a class 15 and was allotted on March 18, 1941 and was manufactured at their Elizabethport plant in Elizabeth, N.J.     However...there are several models of class 15...yours has the electric pot motor and is either a 15-91 or a 15-120.  The only difference between the two is that the 15-91 has an oscellating bobbin hook and the 15-120 has a rotary style bobbin hook...if you look at the bobbin case....the oscillating bobbin is placed vertically in the bobbin holder...the 15-120  the bobbin holder is placed horizontally.

Either way  if you email me with you address I will send you a few size 18 needles...which is what you need for size 69 thread on leather....I will also get you the name of my supplier.  The needles that Tandy has are small 14 and 16 size needles....

[rebsr52339]

Thanks Outrider. The bobbin is vertical in the holder, see the photo just in case. I cannot thank you enough. On a side note my mother is still alive and at 94 thinks she is 39. When I told her that somehow I broke the neadle, I got a look which would put terror in my brother and I. Well she said, after 65 years I guess we got good use out of it. 

Dick Bernier
6319 N. NC Hwy 49
Mebane NC 27302

[rebsr52339]

Outrider, got the envelope. I cannot thank you enough. Ordered some thread today and will let you know how it went. BTW, my mom said, "You are a good Boy".