Question About Singer Machine Models
 

Newbie, question take it easy on me.

I would like to know, how do people know which model Singer they have? Before you say ISMACS let me explain further.

When I go to the ISMACS page, and look up the serial number (AM746961), it tells me my machine is a Class 15 manufactured July 15, 1957. The manual that was stuck in one of the drawers says it is a 15-75. So researching this I find that there are so many versions from 15-1 up to 15-125 (probably more but that's all I found so far) so if I did not receive the book with this machine, how would I have been able to determine my machine was a 15-75 vs say a 15-90 for instance?

Thanks,
Kat

For me, looking at lots of photos, reading up, asking questions. I can say that the 15-75 (belt drive) and 15-125 (gear?) do not have the old style silhouette. They have a more modern, industrial look.
As I understand, many of any Singer old style machines, the model number variations are due to small design changes.
(Often times different manuals are found in cabinet drawers. The basic information on oiling is still very helpful, no matter the model.)
You already know the three major versions, treadle -88?, Belt drive -90, and potted motor -91. Here is a link to a chart on needle bar. I can't do a screen shot so I hope this link is ok. http://www.needlebar.org/main/15chart/index.html

I generally don't bother with the suffix. Unless it desingates a potted motor I don't much care. I have a bunch of 66s and 99s . I could probably find out, but it doesn't make a difference in using or service. I don't worry about jots and tittles.

Around 1953-55 Singer gave a few of their older models an updated look. It was more angular, and I think it was considered more stream line. Some of them were aluminium cast like the 201K23, some of the 15s might be too. The 99 was given a new look and model number 185, but remained the same machine internally. If your 15 has the new look, and has the belt driven external motor it's a 15-75.

With model 15s there are a lot of variants and differences, it was made for a very long time and went through a series of alterations and improvements along the way. It can be a bit of a fuzz to detect all the details; bobbin winder, bobbin case, top tensioner, with or with out a stitch lenght lever, the early version have extra large heavy hand wheels,... In addition the same machine came as treadle, electrical, hand crank, and later on both with belt driven and gear driven motor. It mostly when you search for replacement parts you need to fuzz about the sub-numbers.

Apparently, some of the 15-125s are aluminum (maybe all of them?).

So if this really is a 15-75, is it aluminum?

bkay

My 15-75 is definitely not aluminum, nor is my 15-125. Is the aluminum one of those model #designations with a "k" in it, eg: 15k125?

No, I don't think so, but I'm not entirely sure either. I know all 201K23s are aluminium, and this sub-model 201 was only made in the Kilbowie (K) factory in Scotland. It came as electrical, hand crank and treadle, most by far is electrical. For other models that for the most part were cast iron, there sometimes made a few batches of cast aluminum, like early 99s, a few 185Ks turn up in aluminum ( I don't know if they were exclusive to the Kilbowie factory?). These tend to fetch a bit of extra interest when portability is a concern. I don't know about any aluminium 15 first hand.

This weekend I missed out on a "curb alert" in the southern part of the state. "Free scrap metal", 3 of which were sewing machines. 1 was a tan 15-treadle, styled like the 15-75 and -125. My pick-up person (son) was home for the weekend. I did contact the seller and asked for a hold, but didn't hear back and the ad has been pulled.

If you have a 15-75 they are pretty rare. They look like a 15-125 but with a belt motor. If you have an original
manual they are really rare. I have a 15-75 and have never been able to get a manual. In the manual should be
some pictures of the machine to compare to.

My 1956 15B is aluminum cast and Singer identified it as a 15k75 (body made in Scoltand and assembly made in France) It has the new "modern" look and finish...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]612041[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]612042[/ATTACH]