Singer 15-88
 

There's a 15-88 on CL here. https://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/atq/6149512629.html (I don't plan to buy it.) It's advertised as having an oscillating shuttle. I looked it up and from the photos, it looks like the bobbin area of a 15-91. In fact, it looks like a 15-91. Does it use the same bobbin case and bobbins?

bkay

Yes, I think all the later model 15s with the stitch length lever with reverse all have the same bobbin case. As you know model 15 went through several minor changes and there are bobbin cases with both the finger in eleven and one o'clock postition. You have to check each one, especially with the screw-nut type stitch length adjuster with out reverse.

No, I did not know they were different. The only one I've had is my mother's, which is the machine I learned to sew on. That seems so much easier than dealing with the long bobbin machines, if you wanted a treadle.

bkay

You don't need to worry much about the long bobbins. The very early winders need to be polished and clean for the thread to move evenly, but most post 1910, or even before that have much the same winder mechanism as some class 15 and 66 bobbins (controlled by a cam action). They vary slightly from model to model. The only thing to worry about is getting the correct replacement shuttle and bobbins if they are missing to start with. 15 bobbins hold more thread, but if you find a nice VS machine there are ways about it (widing a few bobbins at a time). They are not more cumbersome to use when you get to know them.

Most of the old cast iron straight stitchers came in a treadle version, and there are nice round bobbin "non-Singers" as well.

Bkay, for a 15 class machine the numbers after the dash are designations that mean that model has some sort of change. For example, a 15-88 is a natural born treadle. Your 15-91 is an electric 15 with a potted motor. There are several 15 class machines: 15-30, 15-75, 15-86, 15-87, 15-88, 15-89, 15-90, 15-91, 15-96, 15-97, 15-125. I think I remembered them all but there may be more. Each had something different about it while it was being produced.

Cari

I forgot. I do have another 15! I have a 15-125 left over from that auction last year. (I re-homed the rest) It's in the storeroom. I guess I need to bring it home and put it on the list of machines that get a good cleaning and hopefully, no repairs. I have no idea if it sews. It doesn't have a controller.

Thanks guys. As always, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

bkay

15-88 is the treadle, 15-89 is the handcrank, and 15-90 had an outside motor (not potted). I have a 15-88 that I converted to a 15-89 with an Chinese handcrank. Still want an original!

I think all the 15's are oscillating. The 115 is full rotary.

And like others have said, the 15-88,89,90 are the same machine with different "drive" methods. The 15-91 is the same basic machine with the potted motor. So the bobbin area of all four is identical.

Cari - there are also a lot of industrial models using the 15 designation. So some Singer 15's actually are industrial strength!

That ad made me laugh - darn near the same machine I got yesterday:D