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Buying used singer sewing machine

HugeBull

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2020
Messages
46
Gents,

I am looking for a new to me sewing machine. Many of you have posted your advice, which I have tried to consolidate to a shorter note . . . In the end, I have concluded that a Singer 15-91 is an excellent choice for my needs, but several other Singer models may be nearly as good. I have found some 15-91s on-line but asking prices are higher than many of you have scored. I am also finding some other Singer models in similar price ranges, $100-300. Unfortunately, many of these machines are more than 150 miles from my home, so the cost of traveling to the seller and back is high, and all of this is lost if you don't buy the machine. One can easily imagine that traveling 100+ miles for a $100 sewing machine that turns out to be a rusty POS and having to do it more than once is not a road that any of us really want to travel.

All of this leads me to conclude that I am best limiting my shopping to closer to home, but a smaller shopping radius means fewer machines. All of the 15-91s are out of range, and only one Singer remains on my list. There is one "clone" close to home too. Neither of these latter sewing machines are identified by model number. Fortunately, I did find the link to "A Visual Guide to Identifying Singers from Crappy Craigslist Photos." So, I will attempt to figure this out about the local models.

This brings me to my questions:
1) What models of Singer sewing machines or clones are worth the investment for sewing saddles and other webbing projects?
2) How do you identify the above models and differentiate one from another?
3) What features are associated with these machines that make one worth more than another?

Maybe a 15-91 is not the gold standard, but it is an excellent choice. However, if a 201, 211, 66, or 99 are all very good for this task, should I expect to pay just as much for these machines as a 15-91. Heck, other Singer models have been hailed as even better than a 15-91, such as the 11W155, and guys have scored these for "a couple hundred bucks." If I can find any old Singer or good clone for $50, am I really just as well off as if I wait for a model machine that someone else has praised?

For the record, I inherited a Singer 301A when my mom passed away and have found that it is fine on fabric but fails on thick webbing. I have heard that this is in part because its needle is slanted rather than upright. So, I assume that I need to be sure to find a machine with a needle perpendicular to the bed. I know that the bobbin mechanism in a 301 is the same as in a Featherweight, so I am guessing that it too is off my list.

I appreciate any help. Thanks.

Hugh
 
Yes, I have been through most of that one. That's how I got most of the info above... If I could find a Singer 15-91, 201, 211, 66, or 99 near me for less than $100, I'd have already bought it. What I am trying to figure is, what other models should I consider and how much should I pay for one. If you guys are getting these excellent machines for less than $50, I don't want to get ripped paying $50 or more for a lesser machine . . .
 
… This brings me to my questions:
1) What models of Singer sewing machines or clones are worth the investment for sewing saddles and other webbing projects?
2) How do you identify the above models and differentiate one from another?
3) What features are associated with these machines that make one worth more than another?

1. 15-91, 15-90 or a 15-90 clone. I got a 15-90 clone for free. Many 15-90 clones are available. For all mentioned, the upper tension knob is on the left of the machine when you are facing the machine in sewing position. 15-91 has a potted motor and no belt. Others have a belt.

I must warn you, the 15-90, 15-91 or any other vintage domestic machine is a gateway drug to an eventual vintage used industrial upholstery class machine. Once you start running past the capabilities of the 15-91, you would either limit your designs to what the 15-91 is capable of or you will be on the lookout for a used upholstery class industrial machine.

I started with a 15-91 and now have a plethora of vintage domestics that mostly sit idle while my industrial class machines are used.

2. Google search singer 15-90 clone or singer 15-91
You can also look at this thread
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/singer-15-91-vs-singer-15-90-power.38239/
Where I shared a pic of my free 15-90 clone.

3. [mention]jhunter13 [/mention] is the expert on 15-91’s. Even though he has multiple industrials now, he still keeps his 15-91. That said, vintage is all metal and has more “punching power”, 5-91 has potted motor and power is transmitted with gears instead of a belt. Supposedly more powerful than belt driven.

I think that a straight needle, (Not slanted), is better. Singer 15-91 maxes out at a larger needle. Besides a singer 237, the vintage domestics I have seen max out at size 18 needle.


You did not mention where you are located, but you should check face book market place and Craig’s List. That is how I found my machines.

Good luck on your search.
 
1. 15-91, 15-90 or a 15-90 clone. I got a 15-90 clone for free. Many 15-90 clones are available. For all mentioned, the upper tension knob is on the left of the machine when you are facing the machine in sewing position. 15-91 has a potted motor and no belt. Others have a belt.

I must warn you, the 15-90, 15-91 or any other vintage domestic machine is a gateway drug to an eventual vintage used industrial upholstery class machine. Once you start running past the capabilities of the 15-91, you would either limit your designs to what the 15-91 is capable of or you will be on the lookout for a used upholstery class industrial machine.

I started with a 15-91 and now have a plethora of vintage domestics that mostly sit idle while my industrial class machines are used.

2. Google search singer 15-90 clone or singer 15-91
You can also look at this thread
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/singer-15-91-vs-singer-15-90-power.38239/
Where I shared a pic of my free 15-90 clone.

3. [mention]jhunter13 [/mention] is the expert on 15-91’s. Even though he has multiple industrials now, he still keeps his 15-91. That said, vintage is all metal and has more “punching power”, 5-91 has potted motor and power is transmitted with gears instead of a belt. Supposedly more powerful than belt driven.

I think that a straight needle, (Not slanted), is better. Singer 15-91 maxes out at a larger needle. Besides a singer 237, the vintage domestics I have seen max out at size 18 needle.


You did not mention where you are located, but you should check face book market place and Craig’s List. That is how I found my machines.

Good luck on your search.
@sojourner you're correct. Even with multiple industrials, the 15-91 is still a great machine to have handy, especially considering they can sew T90 (V92) .
 
What I did was hit up every antique store in a 40 mile radius. I first tried to call them and see if they had machines on hand. Then I went and looked at them in person. I found a great 15-91 at an antique store about 40 miles away for about $45.00 if memory serves. This was about a year ago. The online listings were high, and the shipping was ridiculous.
 
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