It's a vintage Singer 31-15 industrial machine. I haven't pulled the serial number yet, but I suspect it's about 1930's or 40's vintage. It looks like it has a new(er) motor assembly. It was owned by the seller's mother and used for all her daily sewing. I think she's in ill health now and has had to move, so the seller just wanted it out of his basement. So my husband and I went down to take a look. It's in beautifully maintained condition and sews like a champ (once I rethreaded it). It's a bit grungy on the outside (mostly dust) and will need a good wipedown. My husband broke it down (love you honey!), we put everything in the back of the car, bungeed the trunk shut and took it home. Quite an adventure.
I really wanted it for free motion quilting. It goes full speed at about 1700-2200 stitches per minute. And it has a huge 11" throat space. And it's within my budget. Table and machine ran me $200. Since the whole setup weighs about 200 lbs (machine alone is 60 and the motor is about the same), it's about $1/lb. Cheaper than grapes at any rate.
This machine also takes standard long shank feet, making a darning foot for FMQ easy to find. It was also produced in such quantities that parts are easy to buy. It also uses a standard class 15 bobbin. So a very easy industrial to maintain.
I'm very excited to get it up and running soon. This is definitely my Whoop Whoop! for the week.
Cheaper than grapes! lol... this is a very good looking machine and it will FMQ??---how terrific!!
ReplyDeleteI have it on good authority that it makes a great FMQ machine. Just like all machines, there's a learning curve and the speed of this machine makes it a bit steeper then your average home machine. I'll probably be doing mostly cheater quilts for charities before attempting anything special on it.
DeleteThat's a lovely machine! I have a fondness for vintage Singers, they're so sturdy and last forever.
ReplyDeleteMy other machine is a vintage Viking and I love it too. It's a tank with a low torque gear that sews through anything. I'm hoping this Singer is as wonderful as most of the other vintage Singers.
DeleteWow, that's a beauty! I've got two industrial machines, a Singer and a Juki, coming to our quilt ministry from a donor and I hope they're as nice as yours!! Definitely worth a whoop whoop or two!!
ReplyDeleteI've heard wonderful things about the Juki industrials. I've tracked them on craigslist around here, and they're out of my price range unfortunately. Can't wait to see yours!
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