Vintage Singer question

[jaye_p]

I'm looking for a sewing machine (sorry guys, I'm female and a longtime sewer, thread injectors are sewing machines to me ) and have decided to look for a vintage Singer. I called our local Singer repair shop and was informed by the owner that the only Singer that would serve my purposes (sewing everything from silnylon to double layers of nylon webbing) would be the 15-91, which is, of course, one of the most highly sought-after Singer models and available only on ebay. But I seem to recall seeing other vintage Singers in the "show me your thread injector" thread that have apparently been used with no problem for diy projects. So, my question:

What model of vintage Singer do you own, and how well does it work for myog projects? Would you recommend the model you have? What are its strengths/weaknesses?

Thanks in advance!

[gmcttr]

Singer 15-91, 15-90, 201, 66, 99 hand cranked, 401A, 237 and a few others. Got them all and have sewn 1.1 oz ripstop nylon through 1500 lb webbing with them all. Sewing two layers of standard 1500 lb webbing is not that difficult for a machine. There are a few forms of 1500 lb webbing that have a denser weave and are difficult for most home machines, but most of it stitches easily with an increase in upper thread tension. 2000 lb webbing and up will be dependent on the weave.

The 15-91 was considered as the farmer's wife's machine for it's ability to sew a wider weight range of materials than the 201, but all of these machines will do the job if they are put in good working order.

FWIW...polyester webbing is preferred for tree straps due to a considerably lower amount of stretch compared to nylon webbing.

[Rat]

Don't forget about the 403 and 503s either. I have both and they are great machines for what we need. I LOVE my 503A!

[opie]

Ive got a 223 that has no issues with anything I throw at it. My ONLY gripe is the presser foot doesn't lift very high. Ive also "adjusted" the pedal so the machine starts slow and wont go full speed.

[squidbilly]

Here ya go. https://columbus.craigslist.org/art/4643025292.html
There are several old Singers listed on the Columbus, Oh Craigslist.

Model 15 from 1953 according to: http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...l-numbers.html

[poca]

I recently acquired a 99K-31 and I've tested it with webbing and just finished a 1.1 oz silnylon tarp with it. It had no problems sewing either once I adjusted the timing to be correct. I love this little machine and plan to use it for a long time to come :-)

edit: By the way, the 99K-31 does have the ability to backstitch, which I believe several of the other 99K's do not. It's a 3/4 size straight-stitch machine but I didn't notice any downsides to it not being full size when working with it. Its incredibly simple and easy to adjust/repair. I've found a ton of really helpful guides for restoring that model.

[gmcttr]

...I LOVE my 503A! ...

Yeah...I should have said repackaged 401A's are OK too.

[jaye_p]

Awesome - thanks, everyone! It sounds like I have way more options than the repair shop owner led me to believe.

@Rat - you have a truly gorgeous machine!

@Squidbilly - thanks for the links! The Singer sewing machine serial number database is incredibly helpful, since sellers on Craigslist often don't list (or often know) the model number.

@poca - I'm glad to hear that the 99k works well for you, since there are a few 99s on my local Craigslist. However, it's unclear whether they have the reverse stitch function. I'm waiting to hear back on them.

@gmcttr - the nylon webbing is for the guyline attachments on the cat cut tarp I'll be making once my silnylon arrives, not for tree straps. I'm a noob, so I decided to buy Atlas straps for my first hammock projects. Foolproof seems prudent. Later I can get all wild with whoopie slings and things.

[dperk]

Hello from Northern Ohio!

Here is a 404 that I was looking before, if you want straight stitch only:
https://columbus.craigslist.org/atq/4579353291.html

Then there is also a shop that has lots of stuff:
https://columbus.craigslist.org/for/4564043884.html

Here is a 237:
https://columbus.craigslist.org/app/4630408408.html

I have a mint 237 that injects great! I also have a 401a that is truely awesome. I also have a 247 that is... ok
There are plenty of nice machines near you. I really like the 400 series, but the 237 will easily do all that I ask of it.

Keep us posted on what you pick.

[gmcttr]

... since sellers on Craigslist often don't list (or often know) the model number...

A Visual Guide to Identifying Singers from Crappy Craigslist Photos