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Sewing machines for DIY

Your 185K is a great machine. Made in Singer's Kilbowie, Scotland, UK plant. It is a 3/4 size, all metal gear, domestic machine that works great for gear making. Good luck with it!
 
J3general said:
Your 185K is a great machine. Made in Singer's Kilbowie, Scotland, UK plant. It is a 3/4 size, all metal gear, domestic machine that works great for gear making. Good luck with it!
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Awesome, thanks!. It's been great so far, chews through webbing and canvas no problem. I might play around with some boat upholstery/cover stuff too after I gain more experience (my other fund sucking hobby).
 
Anybody ever used a heavy duty Arrow?
Apparently it has a all metal drive.
Or a White.
 

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I have been tossing around the idea of getting my old singer up and running. Everyone on here convinced me to do it.
She is a 1951 Singer and she runs well after a little oil and a new belt..
 

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Digger1 said:
Anybody ever used a heavy duty Arrow?
Apparently it has a all metal drive.
Or a White.
Click to expand...
I am not familiar with the Arrow specifically, but it appears to be a Japanese-made zigzag machine from the '60's. The US importer "badged" it with whatever name he thought would sell (lots of different names). Generally speaking, they were well-made, all metal, mechanical machines capable of sewing well. As with all vintage machines, condition is everything; but keep in mind except for expendable parts (needles, Class 15 bobbins, drive belts, and low shank presser feet), maintenance/replacement parts will difficult to find. Max purchase price I would pay is around $25-30.

The White is a little better known name, but it also appears to be made in Japan during the '50's "badged" for White in the US. It is straight stitch only and roughly a copy of the Singer Model 15 technology. Very durable, capable machine. Max purchase price I would pay is around $25. Again, condition is a big part of value.
 
J3general said:
I am not familiar with the Arrow specifically, but it appears to be a Japanese-made zigzag machine from the '60's. The US importer "badged" it with whatever name he thought would sell (lots of different names). Generally speaking, they were well-made, all metal, mechanical machines capable of sewing well. As with all vintage machines, condition is everything; but keep in mind except for expendable parts (needles, Class 15 bobbins, drive belts, and low shank presser feet), maintenance/replacement parts will difficult to find. Max purchase price I would pay is around $25-30.

The White is a little better known name, but it also appears to be made in Japan during the '50's "badged" for White in the US. It is straight stitch only and roughly a copy of the Singer Model 15 technology. Very durable, capable machine. Max purchase price I would pay is around $25. Again, condition is a big part of value.
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Awesome info Thank you for the reply
 
MathewsHoyt said:
I have been tossing around the idea of getting my old singer up and running. Everyone on here convinced me to do it.
She is a 1951 Singer and she runs well after a little oil and a new belt..
Click to expand...
MatthewsHoyt, your photos are of a Singer 66 made around 1951 - Singer's 100th Anniversary. It has the Singer Centennial badge on its pillar showing that. The machine's finish is called the "Godzilla" finish (rough texture) by sm collectors to differentiate it from the more typical, smooth, black japanned, shellac-top coat finish. Some collectors prize slightly higher the Centennial Badge and the Godzilla finish.

Singer's Model 66 was introduced around 1900 and produced until the mid-'50's or so - a pretty good run, millions and millions made, lots of replacement parts. It was a straight stitch only and I think I see that yours is back stitch capable - up through the '40's or so the 66 did not have a reverse stitch capability. (No big deal - just turn your work 180 degrees to back stitch over where you already had sewn.) I have a couple of 66's and find they sew well.

Max purchase price I would pay is around $25-50 depending on condition. It does need a (wooden or plastic) base/cabinet to sit in because the oscillating hook as it is called under the bed will bump the table surface the machine sits on. Just like most home machines, you may have to turn the machine's hand wheel to coax it through multiple layers of webbing.
 
It has the table with it. Thank you for the info. I look forward to trying some DIY items. The knowledge on here is superb.
 
Can anyone tell me if they have any experience with this old girl and if she can inject thread into a couple layers of tubular webbing?
cb0f78c0f913446faa18d946b7bf7afa.jpg


Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk
 
Yooper14 said:
Can anyone tell me if they have any experience with this old girl and if she can inject thread into a couple layers of tubular webbing?
cb0f78c0f913446faa18d946b7bf7afa.jpg


Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk
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In my opinion the '50's, Japanese-made, Singer 15 "clones" (as they are known) are good, strong sm's. This one is a straight stitch only machine, which is main stitch used for gear sewing; and uses a Class 15 bobbin (available at Joann's or Walmart). IMO, it is overpriced a bit at $75. I would offer $30-35: harder to find parts for "off brand" sm - that's my story and I'm sticking to it. It does sound complete if it has the foot controller, hand wheel turns easily, a box of presser feet and bobbins, all the electrical cords, the drive belt in good shape, and the correct operator's manual. Good luck!
 
wayne r said:
can't see why it wouldn't be, looks like a singer clone, with all metal gears, an oil up and a clean should have it running,sweet,regards wayne
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Thanks. I will hunt tomorrow and see if I can pick it up Sunday.
 
I have an old vintage Pfaff 545, it is a beast, if you luck into finding one an aftermarket servo motor will allow you to have amazing control of your stitching. I can slow my servo down to one stitch per second with the servo and I was able to install a needle position indicator, which can make the machine stop needle down when you let off the foot pedal
 
I have not seen a Pfaff 545 in any of the sewing machine blogs I frequent, so I assume it must be an industrial. Please post a photo of it. Thanks.
 
Red... I’m a technology idiot, it keeps saying file is too large. How do I resize the picture?
 
I have a singer touch-tronic 2010 memory machine. I was wondering if I can use it for heavy duty purposes and if anyone has one. I dont have a clue how to use it, please help.lol
 
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