1938 Singer 31-15 - Sold, but there is some good info here

The Really Short Story: Verified working Singer 31-15 industrial sewing machine with working power stand and accessories $250 cash. Local Delivery may be possible.

I bought this machine untested. I had fun cleaning, adjusting and playing with it and I am ready to re-home it since I have others like it and my garage is full.

This would be a nice machine for garment sewing, quilting, bags or even some seat covers or upholstery. Note: not really an upholstery machine which is usually a walking foot or triple feet machine. It Will not sew heavy leather. It is a great first step up from home machines.

The Not so Short Story:

Singer 31-15 industrial sewing machine with Power Table. Verified sewing well by the Amateur Industrial Sewing Machine King of the Disston Plaza area (me). I am an experienced vintage machine hobbyist. This sale Includes everything needed to start sewing: Sewing Machine, Needles, bobbin case, bobbins, thread stand, thread (old but serviceable), bobbin winder, knee lifter, motor, clutch and power switch. Motor is very quiet and the clutch works well, allowing you to easily vary your sewing speed.

This machine is designed to sew light to medium heavy cloth and light leather. It will not sew saddles. This is the type of machine once typically found in a Tailor Shop.

Price is $250 cash (only). May Include delivery to Southern Pinellas County if location and conditions are reasonable to me. Other locations and conditions subject to further negotiation. Quick setup instruction available upon polite request. Pdf of the manual available via email. Video of operation may be possible .

Warrantee- I warrant that this is an old sewing machine that sewed well under my testing. You can test sew the machine at my place or yours when delivered.

The Longer Story (you have been warned):

This offering is a Singer 31-15 industrial sewing machine. These machines were typically sold to small shops which didn't have a sewing machine mechanic and so were very robust and simple to maintain . Usual maintenance was simple oiling. They were used extensively during WWII by the military.

Records show that this class machine was first manufactured around 1900 and the last batch was made around 1958. There were few changes in this model which means that accessories and parts are readily available and cheap.

This machine uses the standard 31-15 bobbin case and the class 15 bobbins used in many home machines. The needlebar height was tweaked to use the very common dbx1 industrial needle. So there is no problems with consumables for this class of machine.

These machines were designed for garment sewing and are often used for heavier work including garment leather. Decorated leather cowboy boot tops are often sewn with a 31-15.

Needles sizes 9 (fine thread size 21, around 1+ pound breaking strength) to size 18 (medium heavy thread size 69, around 11 pound breaking strength, like jean top stitch thread) are available and appropriate for this machine. The stitch length is adjustable from crazy small to about 5 stitches per inch.

This 1938 machine , serial number AE969864, came from a local estate sale via Craigs List. It is reported that the previous owner, an ex-navy man, use the machine for canvas work. The base has some fair size ball bearing wheels attached to the frame which allowed him to roll the machine out to the large deck area adjacent to his apartment to work on larger projects.

The machine sewed pretty well on arrival. The needlebar was a little high and the presser foot a little crooked, but both are 1 screw adjustments .. Fixed. No lint monsters found, just the usual brown varnish residue from years of oiling. No rust. A good solid machine. The tension release works well when the presser foot is raised.

The table is the usual 4' width, but is only 16" deep instead of the usual 20". I think this is the reason that the motor was mounted at midline instead of toward the back (it does make the table more balanced for rolling about). The all wood deck was what initially attracted me, it is sound and reflects a machine well used. There is an unusual add on drawer that is bigger than usual (and a little cheesy). The knee lift for the presser foot is crazy strong and works very well. Looks like someone was a machinist.

The belt driven bobbin winder may be newer, but seems to be good quality. I have added a thread stand from my stash since the original had been jury-rigged.

Test sewing with the clutch motor showed the motor to be fairly quiet and the clutch allows easy speed control. This was a very pleasant surprise.

This would be a nice machine for garment sewing, quilting, bags or even some seat covers or upholstery. Note: not really an upholstery machine which is usually a walking foot or triple feet machine. It Will not sew heavy leather. It is a great first step up from home machines.