Could be that the motor got some oil in it, could also be that it's just dirty inside and needs a good cleaning. There is no capacitor in a 15-91 motor.

Cari

I'm one who really likes the old Singer button controllers. The 15-91 may be the Cadillac of old Singers but the 201-2 is the Rolls Royce. There's nothing else like the feel and sound of a well tuned 201-2.

Cari

Sew ... I got my 11 o’clock bobbin case in the mail. I wound a bobbin etc. just cannot get the machine threaded to pick up bobbin thread

Needle in the corret way? I can't remember with the 15-91, there are some variations on the Singer 15s, but it's either from right to left or lef to right. However, I'm guessing it's flat side to the right and it threads from left to right. Make sure the bobbin thread is fully in the tension spring and that the upper thread is correct too.

Sew ... I got my 11 o’clock bobbin case in the mail. I wound a bobbin etc. just cannot get the machine threaded to pick up bobbin thread

I'm guessing you already have the manual. The flat goes on the left side and threads right to left. If the presser foot is up, thread will go between the discs. Double check upper and bobbin threading.


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I also have a Centennial 15-91. It's a perfectly good machine, but it doesn't get used very often. The upper tension dial on the far side of the front throws me off every time. I think... if I check... I may have 2 other perfectly fine 15-91 heads on a shelf in the shop. If you're close to SW Pennsylvanistan and would like one. Gimmie a pm. =)

Respond if you have a Singer 15-91
 

I have two 15-91s, one of which is a centennial. Interestingly both were given to me. Both need to be rewired, which should not be much of a problem, and both are in relatively good cosmetic condition. Eventually I will rehome one of them and keep the other as a dedicated straight stitcher.

Grabbed my 1941/42 15-91 and my wife had a fit I was buying another sewing machine. I told her I was going to flip it and make some cash. I finally got it sewing with an aftermarket bobbin case and reposition/ slash installing the bobbin race corectly. I told her it was a $600 dollar machine. She put it on the classifieds for $400 I really hope she won’t find a buyer.

The owners manual says it’s capable of 30 stitches per inch. I can’t get it to do that with out a tangle. It’s golden at 8

Tangle? Something needs sorting out. It should stitch trouble free in all stitch length settings, the only thing you need to be careful of is limiting amount of stitches at zero. I would take a second look at each link from the stitch length lever to the feed dog mechanism. If one is sluggish or frozen the machine will run and stitch but it can interfere with stitch length and feed. The next thing to check would be threading and make sure there's a good match of needle size and thread weight to the fabric. Don't forget to work on getting the tension right on both bobbin case and upper tension mechanism. Double check the bobbin case too, new repacement parts are known to be of varying quality. A good 15 case should be relatively easy too find. A 15-91 tends to be a keeper for many because of the potted motor and CB hook and race, there are a few old straight stitchers well worth a second look though.