Singer 319 - Singer 319W

A Swing Needle Automatic Domestic Sewing Machine - Simple Singer 319 Bobbin Case modification details.

Pictures of Singer Hand Crank Mount

Using Spare motor mount. New 1/14/18

The Hand Crank is oriented on the motor bracket so that the central pivot of the drive "finger" will be directly over the center of the hand wheel hub. This was a spur of the moment project and was very easy and only used a hand drill to drill the mounting hole on the bracket.

The machine was un-modified except for the common addition of a spoked hand wheel (which I had already done for treadle use)

My Singer 319W is the latest of my Craig's List Find.

It is serial number W1617546 and built in Bridgeport Ct at the former Wheeler & Wilson Factory. I am not aware of any SN dating from this factory so the best I can say is it from the later 50s.

It was advertised as a Automatic Swing Needle machine. The head is made of aluminum with a belt driven vertical rotary hook, 5 built-in stitches and reverse feed capability. Needle position can be shifted both sides of center and uses the built in pattern disks for normal zig-zag as well as a nice stepped zig-zag. There were 30 additional stitch pattern disks that came with the machine. Stitches are selected by the "typewriter" keys on top of the arm. There is a metal bail handle attached to the top of the machine for easy handling.

There are many excellent existing references on the web for this machine, so I won't duplicate the fine work found at ..

These machines are quite capable and easily treadle adaptable. The big issue is that these machines were made to use the 206x13 needle. While it is available mail order there are only sizes 12 and 14 available.

The 206x13 needle has the same timing length as the popular 15x1 but is slightly shorter overall. Attempts to use a 15x1 needle in a stock bobbin case will result in a bent needle and bobbin case damage.

But Wait!

Careful examination and testing showed my machine was running a 15x1 needle when I bought it and that it works properly in all respects. This includes sewing full width pattern stitches on an 8 layer stack of #10 canvas.

The "MODIFICATION" to 15x1

The adaptation of the 319 to utilize the ultra-common 15x1 needle is one of the hottest debated ideas that I have found in sewing machine geek circles. There are two routes:

1. Adjust Needlebar, hook and feed dog timing. I found no references which recommended this option and only warnings of poor performance.
2. Increasing the needle clearance to the bobbin case by increasing the depth of the "half moon" cutout on the bobbin case.

- This is easily accomplished with a Dremel type tool with a grinding stone bit.
- There are a number of anecdotal reports of the success even to the extent of using industrial dbx1 needles (same dimension as the 15x1 with a round shank).
- Note: no timing changes are needed for this option.

NOTE: Bobbin modification is not original to me, but I hope to document it a bit better.

I confirmed by direct observation that my vintage bobbin case was probably modified and that modern replacement bobbin cases do not provide the needed needle clearance for the 15x1.

Feed timing issues being caused by the longer needle point of the 15x1 (needle drag) have not been observed in testing. I ran 16 layers of cotton poly twill pant leg material through using V46 thread and a #18 dbx1 needle (these were just close to hand) without issue. I did need to adjust the tension to balance the stitch (grin).

While your experience may vary, for the price of a replacement bobbin case may be able to use the 15x1 needle and extend the functionality of a very capable machine. Remember .. go slow .. pay attention to what is happening. Your experience may vary.

VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL 319 users:

The bobbin case must be firmly snapped into place or even 206x13 needles will hit/damage the bobbin case as it shifts toward the operator!

8/14/2014 (click on photos for full size view).

Needle comparison, left to right.. 206x13, 15x1 and dbx1. Wow, very little difference.

Two Pictures showing the incursion of the needle through the oval window in the top of the bobbin case holder. When the bobbin case is snapped into place, the window keeps the needle confined to the half moon cutout.

319W Manual at the Singer Site

Bobbin cases left to right.. my original, new modified bobbin case (with bobbin installed) and un-modified bobbin case. The half moon cut out is wallowed out to the photo left (machine right). It doesn't take very much.

2 pictures showing ample clearance between the needle and the needle case as the needle swings from left to right.

Note that the needle passes to the operators side of the bobbin (into the half moon cutout). Damage to the outer bobbin case is not possible unless the case is not snapped firmly into place.

Stitch sample w/ 15x1 #12 SP needle and rayon embroidery thread.

Stitch sample w/ DBx1 #18 needle (round shank) and V-46 thread.

I have received a lot of mail on the Singer 319 bobbin case modification subject. Here are my comments to the usual complaints...

Based on the 319W machine sitting on my MUTT#2 treadle in the Florida Room....

1. It is impossible for a deflected needle to hit the top of the bobbin case or inside the bobbin (thread area) if the bobbin case is properly installed. Most people have seen the picture of the "bobbin case damaged by 15x1 needle" like the one at: Ed Lamoureux's blog . The picture shows scratches in the "half moon cutout" caused by the 15x1 needle (typical for an unmodified bobbin cases) and damage to upper shell of the bobbin case that were more likely caused by the bobbin case moving out of the fully latched position.

- System Geometry ...The "window" in the bobbin case holder lines up with the needle hole in the needle plate to assure that the needle passes outside the bobbin and into the region of the half moon cut out.
  - The mechanism was designed to constrain the front-back deflection of a needle.
- I removed the foot and needle plate and tried to probe through the bobbin case holder into the bobbin case shell and the interior of the bobbin with a thin flexible quilting pin..it cannot be done.
- The needle moves into the half moon area of the bobbin case on the down stroke (just a reminder). The bobbin case holder is actually chamfered to guide a deflected needle back forward in to the proper "needle zone" (just a fact). The bobbin case holder is a substantial chunk of metal and is not going to flex or move. This is a really tough area to photograph

- Double click photo for full size.

Myth Busted!

2. It is very possible for a needle to strike and damage the bobbin case shell IF IT IS NOT LATCHED IN PLACE!

- This bobbin case is fairly difficult to align and snap into place.
  - You have to tilt the machine back to install it.
  - the gear drive for the hook is in the way.
  - the alignment bump on the 3 o'clock position of the bobbin case is difficult to align with the notch in the bobbin case holder.
- The bobbin wants to slip out of the bobbin case during installation.

You have to press the bobbin case in firmly until you hear/feel the latch click into place.
- If the bobbin case in not latched in properly it could easily slip forward toward the operator and the needle can impact the bobbin case!
  - The needle can strike an improperly latched bobbin case regardless of the size (206x13, 15x1, dbx1)

IT IS TRUE

3. The 15x1 needle IS longer than the 206x13 and can hit the bobbin case (in the half moon region).

- my 206x13 needle measured 36.98 mm
- my 15x1 needle measured 38.56 mm
- the 15x1 is about 1.58 mm longer (about 6/100 inch)
  - the 15x1 needle hit the unmodified bobbin case in the half moon section and left marks and bent the needle point (confirmed and seen in the picture at Mr. L's site - link above).
- The bobbin modification provides the extra depth needed for longer needle. The half moon opening does not need to be widened (but it does not matter if does).
  - But it you make it a little deeper or wider it will not have any consequences as long is no rough spots are left behind to snag the top thread as it goes by.

IT IS TRUE .. But that is why we modified the bobbin case.

4. The longer 15x1 needle may pierce the cloth while the feed dogs are still moving the cloth.

- On my machine it does not ..
  - I tested with two layers #10 duck .. no problem
  - I tested with about more than 0.3 inches of folded cloth (about 12 layers) .. no problem
    - I had to squeeze the material to fit it under the feed dog.
- If you are running a very thick stack of cloth you might need to switch back to the 206x13 needle for the extra 1.5 mm of clearance.

It did not happen for me, but it might happen for you .. YMMV

5. It is not the needle the machine was designed to use.

- I am not a purist. In my house it has got to sew or it has got to go.
- a 15 cent needle is cheaper than a $1 needle (assuming they both make quality stitches).
- I have several machine which are running using alternate needles (and they are not complaining)
  - singer 31-15 using dbx1 instead of class 16 (weak argument)
  - singer 42-5 using 29x3
  - New Home using 15x1 (slipped down) instead of 20x1 (common solution)
  - Wheeler & Wilson using MY1013 instead of 126-1
  - Davis machines using MY1013 (I think) instead of the Davis long.
  - Jones Family CS DBx1 instead of Jones needle.

If the machine doesn't mind, I don't mind. I am sure she would rather be restored to operation and sewing again instead of the alternatives.

6. NO TIMING or other ADJUSTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE TO THE MACHINE.

7. If it could use the Singer 15x1 needle, Singer would have done it.

- I prefer .."Singer could have designed the machine to use the 15x1 if they wanted to!"
  - Industrial sized bobbins and unique needles had the owners heading into the SINGER Stores with regularity.

Disclaimers:

1. My work is entirely derivative. The internet makes research much easier. My conclusions are based on observations of my machine. Your mileage may vary.

2. I have only respect for those who have made comments to this topic in the various online spaces. Many of you have more experience than I. I find photographic evidence of a machine in my possession to be very compelling.

3. Thanks to those brave souls that left comments on the various message boards that lead me to further investigate the situation

4. Ed Lamoureux has a very informative blog at Lamoureux Blog . My only criticism is his treatment of this topic.

5. I like my BBQ on cheap buns with mayonnaise based coleslaw.

Happy Day

Lee in Hot Humid Florida.

(taking off his lecture hat)

Please contact me with comments or questions at:

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