Singer 115 vs. 15 question
 

When was the model 15 introduced? So if it looks like a 15, but doesn't have a lever to change the stitch length, go into reverse, that makes it a 115? right? I assume they didn't overlap manufacturing? or did they use up the old while starting with the new. Is the 115 basically as good for FMQ?
thanks
I searched but found the "come and sit a spell" link and it won't go specifically to the answer...

I asked that same question some time ago. Here's the link to that thread:
{ http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t216990.html }
The early 15s did come with the stitch length knob rather than the lever as far as I know. The visual differences between the two are subtle but seeable if you know what to look for.

Joe

I also took a bunch of pictuers of a 115 and a 15-30 not long ago and posted them here. They are the same on the top side, but very different on the bottom. Mine are both from about the same time frame period (quite early) so the 15 is the older style also.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...l-t235346.html

I also have a tiffany 115, and I can not find ANY difference on the top side between it and the 15-30.

Any "top side" difference between a 115 and a 15 have to do with age and decal pattern. But the really old 15-30's are quite rare.

to answer your other questions. The 15 has been around for a very long, long time. The 115 was made during a much shorter time frame, but consequitivly with the 15.

The 15-30 (which is the one that is similar to the 115) was made from 1895-1933, the "next generation" was made 1930-1956 this is when reverse was added.

The 115 was made 1912 to 1935. As far as my research, it was never made with reverse.

what makes the 15 great for FMQ above some of the others is the ability to drop the feed dogs. I'm not sure if the 115 has that, and I'm currently 85 miles from home, so I can't go look.

I have recently done some FMQ on a machine that takes a cover plate instead of dropping the dogs, and I had clearance issues as the hopping foot was only going up a small amount, and the cover plate took up half that. It made moving the fabric sandwich around a lot harder than when I switched to a machine I could drop the dogs on. I was surprised at the large different that made in the ease of moving the fabric. I rarely feel I need gloves to hold the fabric, but I sure felt like I wanted them with that cover plate machine!

One more comment on FMQ - So far, my personal favorite for FMQ is the post 1930's 15. I did some on a 301 recently, and the darn tension knob kept blocking my line of sight. I had not expected that. The 15 has the tension in the front and I never felt like I had to move around so I could see what I was doing. It's not a problem to see the needle, but if you are trying to move the fabric to line up with another point that is to the side and behind, visibility is an issue. This isn't a big deal - and not a deal breaker, just my observance for me.

Singer's Improved Family model, introduced in 1879, is the first oscillating shuttle machine and the forerunner of the 15. I have one produced in 1886. It has the stitch legnth knob and no reverse. The tension is on the end like a 15.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5449815

thanks for the refresher. I'd already forgotten cause I didn't think I was interested in any more old Singers, but... if it's got an original handcrank AND nice looks, welllll,...perhaps just ONE more??

I wasn't either - but when I found out how hard it was to come by a really old 15-30, when I found one I had to have it. Actually, I was after the cabinet and "assumed" it was a 115 as the seller didn't know, and when I got there I was surprised to turn it over and see that it was a 15-30 after all. So it got added to my collection.

I'm pretty sure I'm not interested in any more old Singers - got tempted by a Pheasant decal 27, but I sat on my hands until it was sold.

I've got four machines on my "want" list, and if things go well I'll cross another off later tonight.

BTW - after getting the 319 and checking the bobbins, the one in the 319 is the same as the one in the 115 (which is not the same as the 15).

ohh I thought i looked up sn for one Im watching and it was an F from Kilboughie Scotland and a 15 but its sitting on a table higher in the front but level front to back. Sphinx and on GW. (& HC he added timidly;^)

could even be an Improved Family? that would just further complicate my life!