Singer 16k33 Industrial

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11/28/14

Now that's a balance wheel!

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/images0-99/16K33.jpg

I got this machine from a friend up in Spring Hill Florida. If I remember the story correctly it was part of a private sewing machine museum in Texas and got moved to Florida after the proprietor passed.

It is a 1901 Singer 16k33 .. basically an industrial version of the Singer 15 domestic. It seems to be rated for general cloth work and has a vertical, left facing hook. The opening to the right of the needle is approximately 10.25" wide by 6" high.

According to information at "The Needlebar"

The Class 16 is of the Singer New Family/ Class 15/ Improved Manufacturing lineage.

Needlebar Improved Manufacturing and Class 16 Link

There is a copy of the manual for a later model at:

Singer Class 16 manual

This example has a low shank style presser foot and accepts a standard class 15 bobbin case and bobbin.

The manual seems to call for a 16x73 needle and this example readily accepts the modern DBx1 needle (which is equivalent in timing to the 15x1 - Surprise!?)

It came on an Industrial treadle with what I understand is called a "Tailor's Top" (includes side and rear table extensions). The treadle has flat feet on the left side and wheels on the right side.

With normal quilting weight thread I got stitches from about 5.5 to 50 stitches per inch (those were crazy small). With only 3/8" of clearance under the foot I won't be doing any heavy work here.

Model 16k33 was made in the Kilbowe Scotland factory and is different from the the 16-33 (it does not have vibrating pressers)

P490401 - Part of a spring 1901 allotment of 35,000 machines at Kilbowe factory in Scotland.

Thread path .. no surprises here.

High shank Industrial Foot, 16k33 foot and modern low shank domestic foot.

Singer 31-15, 16k33 and modern class 15 bobbin cases. The class 15 bobbin case works fine.

No knee lifter on this example. Hinge pins displayed, they do not pop out of the hinge plate like later industrials.

Bigger base plate than "standard" Singer Industrials .. 18.75" x 8.75" opening. The machine deck measure 18.75" x 8.625"

There is a pivot bar that swings under the arm that would make it impossible to remove the top when locked.