Old Singer sewing machines

[Risclean]

I'm thinking of getting a sewing machine - I'm after one that can do heavy duty sewing like cordura and webbing etc. I was looking at the machines here http://sewingonline.co.uk/hints7.html
The models I'm looking at are the Singer 99, 99K, 201K and 185K. The prices are £105 - £135, though this does include postage and a 6 month guarantee. What does anyone think of these machines and the price?

 

[Diamond Dave]

201K is you man but use the correct needles.................

 

[queeg9000]

Hello Risclean,

I've got an old Singer, simlilar to the 201, and it'll manage quite thick material, including webbing, as long as the needles are up to the job, as it's a manual you can apply a reasonable amount of pressure too. I've made an under blanket, with webbing tabs and a duvet lining, which all stitched up very well.
Sometimes on long lengths of material, it's handy to have a helper to wind for you, while you guide!

 

[Risclean]

Thanks for the info guys.

An interesting development - today somebody offered me an old manual industrial sewing machine for free. After searching the web I discovered it's a Bradbury A1 Repairer for mending boots and sewing horse harness - made between 1880 and 1920. It'll need some work to get it running, but if it'll go I'll be able to sew anything.

I think I'd still need some sort of domestic machine for light work like making a smock though.

 

[jonny2mad]

old singer manuals are so common in the uk I wouldnt pay more than about £20 for any of the domestic machines the 201 is a great machine if you can and have the space get it in a treadle version .
if you want advice http://www.needlebar.org/ thats one of the best sewing machine collector sites they should be able to tell you where to get needles and spares .
Id look on ebay or carbootsales for machines

 

[Risclean]

Thanks for the link Jonny, that looks like an interesting site. My Bradbury A1 seems to be running fine now I've squirted enough WD40 on it to free the dried up oil and dirt. This is a site with information about Bradbury machines http://website.lineone.net/~bradbury1852/bradburyindex.htm

I've bought a modern domestic machine to complement it (all plasticy and characterless :sulkoff: ) No it's quite a good one really and it has all the modern features, though I don't know how it'll be doing in 50 years http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/home/productzoom.asp?pid=1812

There's not the same access to old sewing machines in this part of the country because of the low population density (same goes for a lot of other things as well)