Singer 31-15 Restoration - Part 1

The beginning of the restoration of a 1920 Singer Commercial model 31-15 sewing machine.

[@debmilton7605]

Looking forward to an update on your 31-15. I have one, issue date 1901. The previous owner rescued it rusted and locked up, and has used it for the last 18 years. It has a few issues that I need to figure out how to solve, and think watching your videos would give me a clearer understanding of how it functions. Hurry back now!

[@RustyRescues]

Hi Deb! I will most certainly be posting updates, but I have not worked on it in a while; too many irons in the fire! I did purchase the butcher block to rebuild the table, so as soon as I find some time I'll dive into it again.

[@jesuscordoba9396]

Looking forward to the grand reveal of the restored singer and table

[@4486xxdawson]

Great part 1 , and then what happened ? Too much to handle i guess , it was pretty bad and hounestly dont think its worthy of saving but ive seen people save worse , i checked to see if you had a part 2 , just guessing but you gave up right ? ...

[@RustyRescues]

Have not given up at all! Have bran-new butcher block for the table, recently acquired a router from an auction to use on this project, started to build a jig for my milling machine to run-in the machine, but a job change and 2 relocations have shaken things up a bit and caused this to fall to low-priority. I do intend to finish this project, but it has been on the back burner until things settle out a bit. It will likely be completed in the new workshop that I'm currently setting up, as seen in another video, but as of now I can't say when. Apologies!

[@4486xxdawson]

@@RustyRescues ah good ti know your still working towards saving this beast , i figured ther was no second video and you decided its to big of a project , cant wait to see how it turns out , just picked up a 16-35 myself 1898 treadle industrial , just trying to find more info on antique singer treadles . Sorry to assume but i see alot of first videos not followed up here on youtube .

[@RustyRescues]

@@4486xxdawson that's very cool! I see you have a lot of machine content, I'll have to check them out. I have a few machines as well, several Singers and a couple Elias Howes. May do more content on them in the future, we shall see, time is always the problem! Yes I've seen a lot of videos start and then no follow up, frustrating, I try not to do that but if I do it's usually due to life just getting crazy and the projects being paused. Some of these youtubers I don't know how they keep up, unless they have no day job lol. I'll be sure to post videos on the Singer when work on it resumes.

[@gilbertodiaz-castro626]

Did you ever finish this restoration?

[@lucianoventurasantos1361]

Como tirar a folga da Barra de agulha da máquina de costura cinje 31k15

[@4rnorthwest]

Well? Go on! We’re waiting!😂 just picked one up for $50 from late 1890’s! Needed to say in much better shape than what you’re dealing with BUT! I’m lookin forward to seeing how yours turns out.

[@RustyRescues]

Haha, alright alright, will have to get the butcher block ordered so I can move forward. Also, congrats on your purchase! What model?

[@4rnorthwest]

Tador Machines order a butcher block!? No no no, that costs money! Just take some cheap 2x4’s rip them to 2 inches wide and laminate them together edge grain up and you’ve got yourself a super solid edge grain butcher block style top on the cheap! That’s my plan anyways. It’s a Singer 31-15 all original, mostly. I believe it was a treadle in the beginning but somewhere in the 30’s or 40’s perhaps it was upgraded to a clutch motor, actually it is in fact a motor provided by Singer at the time. Hell! It even has the original little pocket size handbook! Crazy right!😂 Now I’ll have to do a video on the restoration.

[@RustyRescues]

I know I hear you, and I seriously considered that, or otherwise laminating something from rough cut, but I have very little woodworking equipment. I always have a lot of projects on the go, so to save some time I figured on picking up an unfinished birch butcherblock. It'll be durable and look really nice when finished, so I think it'll be worth it. That is really neat! I have an 1865 Elias Howe that has the original handbook, I felt like I had struck gold when I found that paper surviving in the drawer! Would love to see a video on your machine!

[@RoyaleJellyBean]

I recently bought and (paid someone to) restore this exact machine, mine just needed new wiring, Im really looking forward to any updates you may have on this project.

[@cwdouble]

Looking forward to more videos... I have two 31-15 one is about as old as the one you have and is in great shape (I think has the same motor and clutch assembly which I am going to see about making parts for) and another that I am thinking about totally disassembling and personalizing.

[@RustyRescues]

Very nice! It's nice to find them in great original condition! Yes, this one is rough enough that at this point I'm planning a full restoration, new paint and all. The butterboard table was not salvageable, so that will be the next phase. I've not worked on it lately as it's been 20 to 30 below zero here, but as soon as the weather improves I'll get going on it again and post video updates.

[@salsax8635]

great to see your restoration come along... I have my Grandmother's machine 31-15 from 1913 which my Father used to sew my school pants on 55 years ago. Good Luck !!!

[@RustyRescues]

That is very neat! Glad that you still have it in the family!

[@Will45ACP]

Pretty neat little job, and gives some ideas as to how to proceed with other machines' delicate moving parts...am impressed with the variety of items you will tackle Sir!

[@huntressangel3992]

Looking forward to seeing how yours comes out, I am working on one that also got put on the back burner as life happened, I am hoping to get back to mine in the next couple of weeks. Hope you can get back to yours also it is a time when this kind of project is just what is called for. Good luck. Huntress

[@RustyRescues]

Awesome! Is yours a commercial unit as well? This is the time indeed; we have to make the most of these strange months. I have a million irons in the fire, naturally lol, so I haven't gotten back to this one just yet, but I hope to soon! Hope you can get work done on yours as well.

[@rositasze4128]

How did you find the date of when the machine was made? I have one that I am cleaning. The serial number begins with AG.

[@RustyRescues]

AG is 1941 to 1947, here is a list of the AG numbers for your to run your serial number against: ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-ag-series-serial-numbers.html

[@sheilatatone2828]

How do you adjust the leather belt tension? I think mine is a 1925 (AA338244). I can't find any knob or wheel to tighten it. And it is too loose to operate.

[@kboleather]

Ok, so where is Part 2 or did you quit?

[@RustyRescues]

Hey KBO Leather, no I haven't quit, but things have been really crazy in my life lately and I haven't had time to work on it. I WILL finish this restoration and document it, but it's been on the back burner. Hopefully things settle out soon. Please subscribe and I'll post when the project resumes.

[@kboleather]

@@RustyRescues Done. I look forward to part II!

[@lorenlizotte]

No part 2 still :(

[@hernanxiety]

can you still updating about this project?

[@RustyRescues]

alvaro hernan yes, I haven't worked on it because it's been below zero here and my shop is not heated. I will definitely post updates as I progress.

[@hernanxiety]

thank youu, my grandpa asked me to make work two machines like this, exactly this model. and it would be very helpful for my little work.

[@tammie7504]

@@RustyRescues Any progress?

[@sahidsk601]

Nambar