A Classic Industrial Sewing Machine | 16-188 -SINGER | Leather Sewing Machine Review

[@Nicoya]

Few notes: 1: The checkspring needs to be below the adjustable end stop. If the thread gets tangled it can pull the checkspring above the end stop, and you have to reset it back below the stop to get proper upper thread control again. 2: When setting the stitch length, you want to make sure that you're setting the upper and lower feed dogs to the same length of stitch, otherwise when sewing on something like leather the feed dogs will fight each other and you'll get uneven stitch lengths depending on which wins out. You need to make the adjustment any time you change stitch length, so it's a really good idea to just find a stitch length you like, and then set it up and leave it forever. 3: When using the right-side foot like you've got, you want to use a different stitch plate and feed dog, part numbers 161282 and 161283, that position the lower feeding in line with the upper feed dog, and this will improve the reliability of your material feeding greatly. Annoyingly the right-side foot actually uses a different mounting arm, and so you can't substitute other feet without finding or fabricating that part (which is no longer in production anywhere I've ever found). 4: The Rex (and other Nakajima clones) differ from the 16-188 and Consew 18 in that they do not have a separate upper feed length control, and instead it uses a unified stitch length adjustment. This modification also allowed for the addition of a reverse lever. 5: As far as leather sewing goes, the achilles heel is the lack of availability of smooth presser feet and feed dogs, so you'll always end up marking the leather unless you want to grind a set down.

[@JeffreyBaird]

I have a 16-188 that I am trying to use. I need a manual. PDF would be great. Any ideas?

[@HeikeWoolard]

Ooooh, can't wait for the next video. I have a 16-141 and a 111W151 amongst some other industrials and a ton of vintage domestic Singers.

[@viadango]

Very cool! I will be posting soon.

[@danielalvarezcruz5219]

Great video, what thread and needle do you recommend for that leather?

[@hantor4]

Great video very informative .thsnks for sharing .

[@viadango]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sweetybean1]

Can you show how the run the thread . Around the tensioner basically start to finish. Im very nee to sewing. I bought this machine and cannot figure out how to run the thread

[@EmeLightheartArtisanDesigns]

I just got this machine

[@ramloganfracic5761]

Thank you for sharing Blessings

[@viadango]

Thanks for watching!

[@henrilebovic5229]

Thanks for the helpful video. You mentioned that the machine can't go in reverse. Is this just with the motor? or is it not even possible to manually turn it backwards

[@viadango]

The machine does not have an automatic review mode so it will not stitch when you simple go in reverse. Instead, you must either turn the material underneath the presser foot or you lift up the presser foot, move the material back a few stitches and then sew forward again, which is what I do most of the time. It is a skill that one must learn when working on an older machine.

[@jakmac6499]

Do you have any experience with singer 34k?

[@viadango]

I do not. KZbin is a great place to search. I wish you the best.

[@4486xxdawson]

So i take it 50 bucks for a 16-35 is a good price ? Im lookjng at one right now and wasnt shur if its a walking foot . Hope so ....

[@viadango]

Yes, if the machine is functional.