Start looking for a Singer Model 66 or 15-91. I'm REALLY impressed with what I'm learning about them. I AM gunna buy one unless the Admiral threatens DEEE-Vorce!!!! The 15-91 (it's a direct drive and supposedly the CADILLAC Model) actually stitches 5 stitches per inch which is almost as good as my walking foot (4 per inch). And both machines will sew Belt thickness Leather. Very impressive machines!!! I really think they're better than the Morse!! And I LOVE my Morse!!!
offer $60 and bring it home!!! That for sure will get the job done. Walking foot would be BETTER but...prolly NOT gunna find a WF for that price. See if they can provide a Serial/Model# and I'll Research the CARP out of it for ya!!!! I've found out that the Singer industrials are TANKS and BULLETPROOF. Clean em, Oil Em and they're good for another 100 years. If I'd know then what I know now, My first machine would have been a Singer!!!!
sphelps, I have been reading your thread, what a cool boat! I appreciate your craftsmanship, and have learned a ton from your thread. My wife had one of those old singers, but I talked her into selling it about 5 years ago (before getting my boat):facepalm:.
Ok, the 31-15 is a 1926 machine. It's an awesome upholstery machine and if this one works and you can get it for $50 -$60 bucks. I'd get it. Short of a Walking Foot it's a Really heavy duty machine. It uses up to #23 needles and will handle the big upholstery thread etc. I found the Instruction Manual PDF online as well. Lot's of people still using it and stating it's a workhorse. I don't think you can go wrong with it. But remember I AM an
My mom had a 25 50 portable in a wooden case, the old JC series, that after she passed, I let my sister take it back to Vegas. It had all kinds of attachments she had gotten with it when she purchased it back in '48 or so.
I seen where one just like it sold 4 years ago for $170.
I know the one we had was bullet proof and would sew 5 layers of heavy denim or canvas duck without any problems.
My grandmother had a stationary about the same age and it went to my cousin. Both my mom and my grandmother had treadle machines and they were pretty good until the belt slips.
BOAT COVER?? Shoot, I thought she had her own room, with a view, and A/C, and a humidifier, and little wanna-be boat builders coming through to drool over her (as long as they don't get too close), and guards to watch over her!!
Sounds like someone's OCD is kicking into high gear...
My 1/2¢ worth...if its just gonna be for storage, grab one of the boat covers that iboats throws on sale...sometimes a good deal can also be had at Bass Pro...
Some of those are even useable for towing...
Then again, if the sewing bug is biting at you, and you just have to have a totally custom fitted cover, then by all means, stitch your own and be sure to show us the process so we can drool and be inspired...:watermelon:
Picked up the old Singer . Real young fellow just starting to sew . Said he could not get the machine to work right . Thread bunching and it would not feed . Needles going up and down and the feed dogs moving . Seems he could not figure out the stitch length and thats why it was not feeding . Little adjustment on that and it started sewing like a Singer !! still need to adjust the tension a little but sewing through 8 layers of heavy denim like butter !
GT , I want to custom fit it for the h/t .. And of course color coordinate .. Besides it's just kinda fun ! :eyebrows:
