Joe New Guy

[lowbudget]

Hi Everyone I finally decided to join the forum after lurking for years. I'm not a professional nor do I want to be one.

I usually just do upholstery for myself but have been conned into doing a couple projects for friends. I have done auto seats, snowmobile seats, motorcycle seats, saddle bags ect..

I have an old Chandler industrial straight stitch machine (non walking foot). I don't remember the model number and I'm at work here in Saudi so I can't even go see what it is. I bought this machine +-25 years ago, ordered a motor and built a stand and my first project was a set of saddle bags. Through the years it has paid for it self on various projects.

A few years ago I picked up a used Thompson Mini Walker dirt cheap. The same machine as a Sailrite. If I remember correctly they are based on a Brother design. I put on a monster wheel with a hand crank on it so I could use it wherever, whenever. I have done 3 snowmobile seats and some other projects with it so it has paid for itself also. The truth be known I didn't want to go out in the cold garage to sew those snowmobile seat covers. It fits in my spare bedroom.

My latest purchase is a Singer 16 188 that appears to be in great shape. The guy wanted $250.00 for it, I asked what his lowest price would be and he said $150.00. I whipped out $100.00 and said it looks pretty old and he took it. He is a car guy like me and said it was his late brother in laws machine. I loaded it up and put it right in my storage shed so I haven't run it yet. I will know more when I get home this days off as I have my boat cover to do as well as a set of bucket seats. I plan on test driving it on them after I do some basic maintenance and playing with it. I did get a big bag of bobbins and some heavy thread with it also.

OK enough about me, now the question part of my post. #1. The Singer takes a 16X63 needle. Is there any needles that are more available that I can use? I read somewhere a 135X17 would work. #2. It has a leather belt with an old clutch style motor. Will a Singer leather treadle belt work? #3. I read somewhere that the bobbin is different on the 16 188. They are angled down towards the outer edge. What is the story behind this? #4 Are parts still available for the 16 188? Are there any welting/piping feet, zipper feet available?

Sorry for the long post but after reading all the posts I thought that were relevant to me from page 113 to page 1 while I was waiting to get accepted into the forum I figured I deserved it. lol  I do feel I got to know some of you a little bit in all that reading also.

Thanks Mike

[sofadoc]

Welcome Mike. I sensed that someone was lurking ;)  I know that we had some good discussions about the 16-188 in the past, but we had a crash a couple of years ago that knocked out most of the older posts.

As a teenager, I sewed on my Grandmother's 16-188. I remember that it took an "A" bobbin, while most walking foot machines take either a "G" (small), or an "M" (large).
I remember the "A" was slightly smaller than a "G", but I don't remember anything about an angled edge.

There are many old timers that still swear by the 16-188. And since you're just doing this work for a little extra fun and profit, I think $100 was a good buy for you.

I can't remember now whether or not that model employed a 2 piece set of welt feet.
I'm sure that some of the others (who remember the model better than I do) will chime in.

[lowbudget]

I found the posts on here that referred me to another post but it is no longer available.

I think it was on Leatherworker that I read about the bobbin. But I have been unable to find it again in my internet searches.

I think I came out OK on the purchase. I could have bought a new machine but then I would have to justify it and use it all the time. And as we all know upholstery is a lot of work. I'm just happy to have a real walking foot. Who knows maybe I'll come across a great deal on a newer machine.

Now I have the cool factor of saying "That was sewn with a 100 year old machine". It also matches the old Singer treadle machine I restored for my mom many years ago.

[kodydog]

Welcome Mike. Can't help you but did get a kick out of your post. What are you doing in Saudi?

As far as belts go, wouldn't a fan belt from NAPA work? Just thinking.

[sofadoc]

I remember my Grandmother's old machine had a round leather belt that was joined by a hog ring.
But for sewing machines and motors with  regular V-belt pulleys, I got one from the lawn mower shop down the street. Works fine.

[lowbudget]

I actually work in Kuwait but we are across the border in Saudi drilling a well. I work for Baroid Drilling Fluids/Halliburton. I do a 28 on 28 off rotation. The 3 days of flying comes out of my days. I've been over here 15 years now. I could make more money at home but I would have to work all the time. I like the days off as I'm not getting any younger.

I thought about the NAPA belt but I figure the pulleys were made for a round belt not a v belt. I had also thought of making a big round belt out of o-ring material.

When I built my stand for my Chandler I put the motor in the middle of it's adjustment range, took a piece of string and measured around the pulleys and bought a NAPA belt the same size as the string. It worked great and is still on there.

I thought I had read somewhere that there was 2  diameter sizes of the  leather belts. The length should be no problem just cut to fit and hog ring it.

It has the belt, it just looks a little rough........Kind of like its owner. I just wanted to have a spare because I have been known to tear stuff up at the worst possible time.

Thanks for the welcomes
Mike