Refurbishing A Singer 331k (31K) Sewing Machine And Converting It To Handcrank.
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2019
- I am putting new parts on my Singer 331k (31k) industrial sewing machine, including replacing the tension unit, shuttle, hook etc. and converting the machine from an electric motor to a hand crank. I also show how I clean a machine and oil it to get it all working well. I briefly cover my plans for this machine. The Singer 331 is very similar to the Singer 31 sewing machine...just a newer model.
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Thanks Harry, greetings from Tasmania. Just picked up a well used 31k15 and am re-furbishing it to make some outdoor gear for myself and family. New tensioner, shuttle, race, bobbin and of course needles. Very grateful for your expertise.
Lovely & generous detail with your explorations... even off of the main topic. Thank you!
A hand crank! I have two treadle machines I wand to convert to hand power if I don’t destroy them cleaning and oiling them. While cleaning a 1905 National Sewing machine I found the stitch length control was frozen. I undid the control non and cleaned the area with Q-tips and sewing machine oil, but the piece that actually slides had slipped to the side and I can’t get it back in place. Thank you so much for this video!
Thanks Harry, that was a great presentation. For sewing uppers, they usually use the 331k16 with roller type feed dog and presser foot.
Hi Harry! First of all, your videos are unique, you are a calm and precise person with great expertise, thank you for sharing the knowledge. I'd say its invaluable. I got into sewing only recently, more of a hobby, really, basically only because I found the old Singer 31 of my great-grandad (from 1910 I think, based on the serial number). It was not dirty or such but clearly have problems. I have replaced the obviously worn parts (tensioner, bobbin) but the machine still does not stitch. And breaks the needles in addition. I examined (based on your videos) and realized that the hook inside the "hook case" (looks identical to what you show here) is extremely loose, it allows the hook sideway movement approximately 2-3 mm. If it is on the farest side (from the needle) it misses the thread, if it is on the other extreme, it hits the needle and bends it or breaks it. If it is somewhere between the extremes, then a stitch is made. I assume that replacing the hook (or even the housing) might help (it is not a big issue, around 15 EUR the hook, maybe 30 the housing), just would like know your opinion what else might it be? Thank you in advance and please keep up!
Sorry but I do not know.
Your films always are out of the ordinary Harry. Great job once again. ATB Marc - Belgium
Nice video!
In the early 60's I had an old Singer, can't remember the model number. Just wanted to say, mine had what I called a walking foot. It was wonderful as it pulled heavy work right along.
Try to get one of those, you'll like it!
JIM
Tension unit is simple and reliable, but it may be dirty or wrong adjusted or assembled, or slightly worn out.
Tension plates can be easily polished on fine emery cloth on flat surface. Take up spring has very long coil inside assembly and certainly it will work for thousand of hours or more. It is very linear spring and only a small fraction of its range is used.
Tension spring is simple and strong, it allows huge line tension if screwed to the bottom. Again, there is much more range than it is possible to use. Release pin is made of hardened steel (like most parts) and it will not wear out (at least my almost 100 year old 31K M48 doesn't show any signs of that).
Couple of things can be wrong however. 1) sewing thread has worn a groove (or grooves) on the underside of center axle. This may cause thread to stuck and then correct line tension is lost. 2) plate above tension disks and below tension spring can be bent in the middle. This is the point where release pin hits and it may give false impression that pin has shortened. This disk can also be installed in reverse, then release pin will not work properly or at all. 3)take up spring is so dirty that inside coil works only partially.
Fixes: 1)grind/file/polish the axle in lathe or drill until all wear marks are gone. Don't mess threads! 2)straighten plate on anvil 3)clean
It is possible to adjust tension unit position on machine by rotating it. Then action of take up spring can be made stronger or weaker. Finally assembly is locked by screw on its place.
Very nice explanation. I like it . I have a collection and I am a repairman. Thank God bless you.
Thanks.
wonderful production value -- enjoyable to watch - thanks
Thanks very much allamakee
Hi, thank you for the very interesting video. I’m looking into a singer 331k 24, do you have any tips/experience with this machine?
Harry, just found your channel. I must have reconditioned dozens of these in my earlier years as a mechanic... good solid machine, I would have to strip them down to the casting, repaint, recondition etc, and the stand it went on as and well. Even the old singer motors, change the bearings and windings....happy day's
Alan - I am sure I could have done with your expertise on this one!
Is the hook on the bobbin case similar to the hook on the domestic Singer 15C?
Excellent ! So informative, and as usual so thoughtfully produced to get the information across ! You have not only spent a lot of time making the film, but also in cleaning the machine. It deserves to work better than new again ! It is interesting to me, as I had a lucky purchase a number of years ago in one of the antique warehouses that we have in Broad Street, Leominster ( UK ). I reached the top of five floors one day, and there was an 1896 Singer Flying Shuttle machine. It had a price tag of £21. I showed an interest in it, and the woman who was renting the "pitch" said "You can have it for £3 ! it has been there for ages, and I don't want to carry it down five floors !". Needless to say, I had no hesitation in buying it ! It does work well, provided that I spend a few minutes getting it running. I use it on hems of trousers, as there is nothing worse than seeing trousers that are too long IMO. I also like to hem them all of the way round. I would buy a service manual for it if there actually is one available, as I haven't done a lot of maintenance on it. So this video of yours, and the next one, are very useful to myself. Thank you !
Thanks Phil...your machine sounds interesting...there are a lot of manuals on the ISMACS website..so might be worth looking for your model. Best wishes Harry
@@harryrogers Thanks for that - a very useful observation from you ! I shall investigate !
Exelente conteúdo. Eu queria saber se a caixa se bobina e a lançadeira da Singer 31k15 serve nessa singer 331k ?
Thanks for doing what you do. It's like going to university. Actually I learn more.
Harry, I just bought a used Singer 331K4, it was supplied with 2 needles of different length but without marking! ... I don't know what type of needle to use with this machine, on the instructions it is noted Cat. 2055 (16x87) but I can't find a matching needle. Can you give me the model to use? Thank you. Cordially. Denis.
HI Harry , perfect job , please i have the same machine but i need the shuttle race parts number 62749 3 , i bought that new parts but it is different and it does not work. You know where to get that original part ? Thanks.
Hi and thanks for earlier concerned ,Now what do ido for my sewing machine singer 331k4 its feed dogs seems to return before it take off
Thank you Harry for your very informative video. I was wandering if you know any websites where I can find a fabric foot for my Singer 331K. Thank you!
EBay or College Sewing Machines UK
I live in the states and looking for parts for 331K4. Not sure if there were more of them in the UK; do you know of a source for used parts? Looking for lifting arm parts that are in the head and some other of the mechanism.
College Sewing Machines UK may be able to help, a lot of the Singer parts are generic to several machines. Also EBay has quite a few spares.
Hello and thank you for all your work. What would a modern and easily available clone or nearly identical version of this 331K machine be? Thank you.
Hi I think you will need to ask an industrial sewing machine shop that one ...the Singer 31 is very similar to the newer 331...there are lots on the secondhand market in the US as well as the UK. If you are not looking for a roller foot version I imagine a Brother DB series might have similar capability but I have not tried one.
Thank you!
Is it possible to convert Singer 401A to treadle?
Are parts readily available?
Good stuff as always Harry, thank you.
I tried to find the video you mention on adding a roller foot but couldn't find it. could you add the link to it? Thank you!
Hi Ann - I am still working on that one...probably available next week.
@@harryrogers thank you, Harry! I'll watch for it!
Thank you for a really good video.
Harry, this is terrific, thank you. Great information! But, you know better than to get cheap knock-off parts!
Yes I think another time I would get the originals!
Hi, Great video. I have a load of questions I bought a singer 331k5 as my 1st machine lol. It come with one needle Leo Lammertz 120 it is 45mm long I can find 38mm needles my machine is like your I was wondering what needles you use in yours. Also will the handle crank work on my machine as the sewing speed is manic ( clutch motor ). I bought it for some Leather craft I normally do saddle stitch but fancy some machine stich. Hope you can help thanks. Thanks for sharing some of your knowledge 🍰☕
Hi College Sewing Machines UK can sort you out with needles, I cannot recall the type, but you could also check on the ISMACS website...I don't recall them being very big. A hand crank of some sort say attached to the balance wheel should be fine, or you could fit a servo motor for better control...and even gear down with 3 to 1 ratio pulleys.
Thanks for replying I will try the college website as for the servo motor undecided I really like the sound and action of your machine with the handle fitted. Before I change anything I have to look at the stitching the top thread 7 times out of 10 comes out of the needle I copied the way yours was threaded so could be tension. Thanks
Hi mate i have just bought a singer 331k4 and it will only pickup a stitch correctly when I hand turn backwards have come across this before?
Hi it there are no gears on the hand crank, I think it will be reversed?
So when have the motor attached and it’s running as normal it doesn’t pickup the bottom thread but when I hand turn in reverse it’s works correctly I am at lose and can’t find anyone in Australia who can help
Thanks for replying as well I really appreciate any advice
That’s turning it anticlockwise it works fine
Where did you buy the tension of unit please
From College Sewing Machines UK, Ebay may have them.
Well done young man . Happy trails
Where do you download your manuals from?
ISMACS is a good site, and also several of the parts suppliers have them....such as College Sewing Machines.
Hi Harry. I am wondering. Can you use it for leather?
Hi yes a 331k is great for thin leathers...there are videos of me using it for leather inlay, and I think one on wallets.
I prefer the 31-15 to the 331k, but something I've noticed is the 331K has a thicker coiled presser foot spring. Other than that, pretty identical.
Am using a sewing machine 331k4 singer and i want to use thick thread No12. what do i do? please help.
Hi Joel...I really don't think its made for that...you might be able to ease off bobbin and top tension, and use a larger needle, and possibly increase shuttle clearance....but I would not try it personally.
@@harryrogers Well, What do I do now is behaving abnormal seems jumping stitches.please help
@@joelngugi4829 Hi Joel...bent or blunt needle, wrong thread, hook point damaged, bobbin wrong way round?
@@harryrogers please Harry, on your tutorial video showing Upholstery and putting new parts. Are they from simanco singer and if so where do I get them
@@joelngugi4829 I have used a mix of EBay stuff and original from College Sewing Machines UK
Thanks a lot!
Can you sew leader with this machine?
Hi yes..please see my shoe making videos. Its good for thin shoe leather.
Can I use for dress making or tailoring
Hi I have never used it for light fabrics, I suspect you would be better off with a Singer 99 or 201 as they are low shank and you can get lots of different feet attachments.
Hello Harry. Firstly, thank you for all your videos. I've recently purchased a Singer 331K5 that was advertised as a walking foot machine. The seller used it to create some very impressive car leather upholstery and I wish to do the same but, I'm now wondering if it really is a 'walking foot' machine, by definition? Thanks for any help. Anthony -Sussex coast
ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/classes-300-399.html
Anthony...hopefully this link helps.
@@harryrogers It has, thank you Harry. I don't think the seller realized it was an alternating presser foot machine rather than walking foot. It did go for well under £200 so maybe the other bidders knew better. I see now why he's upgraded to a Consew. The link is very interesting and thanks again for your help.
@@tonyskilton5324 It should be very good for car upholstery....if you need any parts I use College Sewing Machines and they seem very good.
@@harryrogers Thank you for that too Harry
Hi harry! What needle system is a singer331k5? Videos are really great by the way
I think it uses Singer Industrial Machine Needles size 16X87...I need to check.
Had a look, I am running DBX1 16 x 231 and 287WH...so to be honest I am really not certain.
Suggest you check with College Sewing Machines UK.
kindly advise on how to get feed dogs timing then you.
31-k swing machine deriver not working please video bro
I need your guidance I have fashion maker Singer
Interesting, just finished rebuilding my my 45k, original parts are becoming harder and harder to obtain
That's great...and a lovely powerhouse of a machine. I guess given their age it's good we can somehow get high mortality parts. Rgds Harry
All of this is good. But do all you Brits have problem with sharing information as to how and where you purchase the parts. Like part numbers and where you purchased the parts. I have that same machine with the original table and I'm trying to reduce the speed of the motor so I can saw some leather for my Harley Davidson. Thanks
You can get the parts from sewing machine suppliers or off EBay as kits. I provide a link in the comments. To slow down a machine you could take a look at my films on fitting a servo motor, and on speed reduction using belts etc. Rgds Harry
👍😉
A hand crank on a machine that's build for speed is quite ironic :P
Yes, and the control I have over it is great.
сlas
Hi Harry i love watching your videos its way different from the same old , same old i have also converted a new industrial sewing machine (loadshedding long story) by adding a handle for hand cranking but the tension never really stays consistent do you think its because of the hand crank modification or because of user error(turning it to slow?) 🫣
Hi thanks...I don't think its the fact its now a handcrank. Is the tension unit working OK ? Is the needle bent? Has the bobbin been wound smoothly?