[CamoDeafie]

Okay. So the wife has given me the go-ahead to acquire an industrial sewing machine. I am looking at either a vintage Singer 31-20 or a Japanese made Singer 591-D300A ; both seem to use the exact same feed dog, needle plate, tension springs if my research is correct (Feed dog and needle plate for Heavy Work and Heavy tension spring lists 31 Class and 591 as compatible).

Both are $300 with clutch motors and tables. One has reverse, the 591. The other doesn't seem to have reverse but has a longer maximum stitch length. 591 may have a larger bobbin.

Anyways! The wife has provided one stipulation, and only one stipulation. How fast can I recoup the initial costs? So this is where I am at. What stuff are people like you, committed to buying here? I could go back to small pouches and stuff for Hi Point 9mm Redballs, the holsters, but those don't seem to be a high demand thing anymore, in that I haven't gotten requests or PMs regarding these, and I still got a 2-mag pouch still available, along with a satchel/mag bag.

Backpacks, maybe? Seems that there are as many new designs and such as there are. One I have yet to see.. maybe because too small, I don't know... a Medium ALICE sized 10 pocket ruck; all the ALICE 10-pocket rucks on the market are based on the Large ALICE.

ALICE frame compatible rucks in the style of the popular hiking backpacks from the 1970s-onwards with the low profile top load or panel load, sleeping bag compartment, zippered pockets? Or bucket top, but one or no zippers, buckle fasteners for the side pockets and specific lash points for sleeping bags and tents?

Chest rigs? Too many options available. Well, except the one idea I am stewing on... a 6-mag chest rig that will interface with standard plate carriers on the market nowadays (Swift clips and velcro).

Plate carriers, everyone and their mother are making them, so thats really out except for the silly ideas I have, and the one set that I want to make a carrier for, the 10x12 rectangle Level 3A soft armor baclers with ceramic Level 3 Special Threat 10x12 In Conjunction plates, for my wife.

 

[Chef Duane]

Dude, you are WAAAY beyond me. I have a Singer 1512 and can do hems, maybe fix a few tears, and have to watch a utoob vid to thread the thing. Best of luck with whatever you get!

 

[histed]

Yup, CD, I'm with the Chef. I can almost get a button back on without sewing my fingers together. Touching the machine would bring the Wrath Of Momma. Actually using it would bring sudden death. But, knowing your work, you'll get it figured out. Bien suerte, amigo.

 

[Rerun]

Be really careful using the industrial machines.
I watched a trainee running some fabric and his fingers through the path of the needle.
Not pretty!

eldar

 

[RACHGIER]

Well what would you need to achieve SWMBO's pretty reasonable threshold, 10 orders, give or take? 15 to cover shipping the machine and any additional materials required?

 

[CamoDeafie]

Well what would you need to achieve SWMBO's pretty reasonable threshold, 10 orders, give or take? 15 to cover shipping the machine and any additional materials required?

Well. I'd be picking up the machine locally (relatively...) and then brother and I would disassemble it partly to make it easier to lug up the stairs. If I go by what
https://pocketup.net/;


ALICE Collection;

www.tacticaltailor.com,

www.thehiddenwoodsmen.com

All charge for their packs and some pouches, it seems like 5 orders of rucks, and 10 orders of certain pouch sizes or more may be able to cover the costs of the machine, supplies and my time.. although the machine would cut down the sewing time quite a bit.

 

[RACHGIER]

Well, depending on how my trial run at this ultimate survival bag goes, and since I'm not in the mood to pay $400 for a purpose built medic bag. We just might be having a conversation....

 

[CamoDeafie]

Well, depending on how my trial run at this ultimate survival bag goes, and since I'm not in the mood to pay $400 for a purpose built medic bag. We just might be having a conversation....

Well, i could do something similar to what Mystery Ranch did for their RATS NICE rucks.. a panel of loop velcro for their tear away organizers, and a field of elastic loops for medical supplies, on a Medium ALICE sized bag of some sort with an U shaped roll closure? Still working out the concept where it could seal up but not require zippers...or I could go with a zipper to keep things simple.


Edit. I mean, you can get hook backed pouches and pockets fairly cheap and easily, some like the Mystery Ranch's RATS organizers have clear windows and color coded zipper pulls

 

[RACHGIER]

Well, i could do something similar to what Mystery Ranch did for their RATS NICE rucks.. a panel of loop velcro for their tear away organizers, and a field of elastic loops for medical supplies, on a Medium ALICE sized bag of some sort with an U shaped roll closure? Still working out the concept where it could seal up but not require zippers...or I could go with a zipper to keep things simple.


Edit. I mean, you can get hook backed pouches and pockets fairly cheap and easily, some like the Mystery Ranch's RATS organizers have clear windows and color coded zipper pulls

My current concept is tear away modular kits inside the 3- day assault pack.

1. Trauma and airway.
2. Medical tools.
3. Breaks and sprains.
4. Boo-boo kit. (10.5×2×6 3L pocketed clamshell)
5. Wound care, bandaging, and meds. (10.5x5x8 7L mini medic bag)

Not sure exactly how much I'll be able to fit in the 3L rip-away pouches, because the reviews and pre-made kits don't really give a good account of what fits where. So I'm going to order one, and once everything else is here, I'll see how it all fits and figure out how to pack it from there...

 

[lklawson]

Okay. So the wife has given me the go-ahead to acquire an industrial sewing machine. I am looking at either a vintage Singer 31-20 or a Japanese made Singer 591-D300A ; both seem to use the exact same feed dog, needle plate, tension springs if my research is correct (Feed dog and needle plate for Heavy Work and Heavy tension spring lists 31 Class and 591 as compatible).

Both are $300 with clutch motors and tables. One has reverse, the 591. The other doesn't seem to have reverse but has a longer maximum stitch length. 591 may have a larger bobbin.

Anyways! The wife has provided one stipulation, and only one stipulation. How fast can I recoup the initial costs? So this is where I am at. What stuff are people like you, committed to buying here? I could go back to small pouches and stuff for Hi Point 9mm Redballs, the holsters, but those don't seem to be a high demand thing anymore, in that I haven't gotten requests or PMs regarding these, and I still got a 2-mag pouch still available, along with a satchel/mag bag.

Backpacks, maybe? Seems that there are as many new designs and such as there are. One I have yet to see.. maybe because too small, I don't know... a Medium ALICE sized 10 pocket ruck; all the ALICE 10-pocket rucks on the market are based on the Large ALICE.

ALICE frame compatible rucks in the style of the popular hiking backpacks from the 1970s-onwards with the low profile top load or panel load, sleeping bag compartment, zippered pockets? Or bucket top, but one or no zippers, buckle fasteners for the side pockets and specific lash points for sleeping bags and tents?

Chest rigs? Too many options available. Well, except the one idea I am stewing on... a 6-mag chest rig that will interface with standard plate carriers on the market nowadays (Swift clips and velcro).

Plate carriers, everyone and their mother are making them, so thats really out except for the silly ideas I have, and the one set that I want to make a carrier for, the 10x12 rectangle Level 3A soft armor baclers with ceramic Level 3 Special Threat 10x12 In Conjunction plates, for my wife.

Can it sew leather?

I have a bomber style jacket that I need a whole bunch of patches sewn on to. There was a person here locally who would do it but she retired last year. I just pulled my leather jacket out of the closet to wear for the really cold weather and I'm staring at it and feeling glum because I never put the patches on it. I'd be willing to ship and pay after it got warm again. Can this thing sew patches onto leather jackets and stuff?

Peace favor your sword (mobile)

 

[CamoDeafie]

Most dont. I dont think the two machines Im looking at can.

 

[undeRGRound]

Most dont. I dont think the two machines Im looking at can.

Best Wishes in this endeavor

 

[CamoDeafie]

The guy with the 1952 Singer 31-20 accepted the offer of $200, I will be heading down his way during this week with my brother to pick it up. Since its a vintage US made industrial Singer, parts for it are very easy to come by (lots of 31 class copies and derivatives). And I can acquire the Heavy Feed Dog and needle plate set for it to work with heavy fabrics like awnings, canvas, denim, and apparently light garment leather but we'll see how it works.

 

[CamoDeafie]

 

[CamoDeafie]

Well. Holy moly. Table is a bitch and a half to load into the family van. I was able to get the machine out of the table though.. but it looks like I'll have to have either 2 more burly guys to help out, or try my hand at disassembling the heavy table. At least the machine is in the apartment now. No comparison pics between this and the 15-91 domestic yet. I want to take the time to figure out the table transportation issue first. Table legs does have the bolt holes for industrial casters, so that's definitely something I am looking at.

 

[undeRGRound]

...time to figure out the table transportation issue first. Table legs does have the bolt holes for industrial casters, so that's definitely something I am looking at...

HARBOR FREIGHT IS YOUR FRIEND

For stuff you may only need once or twice...

 

[CamoDeafie]

I'll stick to stuff that I definitely will use more than twice (like locking casters that makes moving the table easier when needed...)

 

[CamoDeafie]

Well. I took the motor, control unit, and separated the table top from the legs... made it much easier to move the components up the stairs on my own. Good workout. Left the old clutch motor and control unit in the van for now. Going to order a much newer servo motor with improved speed control unit for the table. Since I am paying for the power, I need to get every advantage I can to save money.

The old clutch motors have only one speed; "on" and the pedal only controls how much enagement the belt has with the motor. Meaning... the motor spins all the time if the control is switched on, even if the sewing machine isn't being used; so its drawing a lot of power when its not needed. Table is missing the accessory drawer, I see the rail assembly for it still on the underside.
Knee lift unit is to lift the presser foot which makes things easier to control.

Shown with my 50s Singer 15-91 domestic machine, which is usually considered "big and heavy" for vintage domestic sewing machines...

 

[Chef Duane]

Beautiful old machines. Made to last. Me mum had one like shown on the left that had a big black pressboard carrying case with a leather cover on it. Never knew whatever happened to it. Can't wait to see the stuff you put together.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Beautiful old machines. Made to last. Me mum had one like shown on the left that had a big black pressboard carrying case with a leather cover on it. Never knew whatever happened to it. Can't wait to see the stuff you put together.

Yeah, the 15 and 201s, 99s, 66s, are the awesome vintage Singers thats both affordable and collectible. There are other models but the black Singer era is really the most popular era. The 31 class of Industrials are very much the same mechanical design as the 15s and 66s, just bigger and with a huge motor. This specific industrial machine line has a reputation of being the Tailor's choice machine for lots of garment work, however there are submodels that work with heavy canvas, light leather, denim, and bag materials. Some parts of this class have continued into the 491, 591, models of Industrial garment machines. Some other brand industrials use many of the same parts. That was what drove me to get this one at $200 versus the newer ones for more money that may not have an easier time to replace parts.