Respond if you have a Singer 15-91
#81
I have a 15-91, I am the second owner. My great aunt bought it new around 1941 I believe. She had no children, and I was the only niece that really sews, so I inherited it. It was covered in yellow when I got it, so I had it hot-tanked and 'restored' (this was in the late 80's when I inherited it). I use it when I need to sew something heavier than I want to sew with my regular sewing machine. Although I have just acquired a Singer 111w151 industrial machine, so the 15-91 will probably be pretty much completely retired.
#82
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Southeast Georgia
Posts: 2,526
The feed dogs must be down. it is the best machine Ever for FMQ. I love mine. It is a centennial model with the blue badge and is in a totally 50s beautiful cabinet. I have everything ranging from a 1904 Singer 66 treadle to the latest and greatest Janome embroidery machine. It would be a tough call for a favorite between my 15-91 and my featherweights. You can't have too many sewing machines!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 12-28-2017 at 03:48 AM. Reason: remove shouting/all caps
#83
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
#84
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 8
I got one for christmas as a freebie with a singer 48 cabinet (supposed to be a 201 only cabinet, so someone must have switched it once upon a time..) I am brand new at quilting, and am planning on using it for FMQ.... once i've finished fixing the wires on it. This one is in pretty good shape aside from the wiring, and is a blackside!
#85
Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 90
I have four 15-91s, a 15-125, 201, several 15-90s and a 15-75.
Don't need four but they are hard to pass up.
Mainly use them for all my heavy work. Boots, leather, canvas, etc.
They are tanks. Can't break anything but a needle.
I wouldn't rewire one. Too easy to just find another motor on ebay, etc.
The motor is easy to change out.
Don't need four but they are hard to pass up.
Mainly use them for all my heavy work. Boots, leather, canvas, etc.
They are tanks. Can't break anything but a needle.
I wouldn't rewire one. Too easy to just find another motor on ebay, etc.
The motor is easy to change out.
#86
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 4
I inherited one my Mom must have bought at an estate or yard sale - very nice condition including decals. Later bought two more that were a mess. Both pretty much seized and required parts. Both run, now, and sew but one motor smokes. Then found a centennial model. About a month later bought another that was missing bobbin case. And this fall bought yet another needing parts. I did sell one recently as I have too many. In my area peoole do not want to pay what they are worth. I sold one but only got $45.00. Cabinet was rough but functional.
#87
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Cari
#88
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: River City, Orygun
Posts: 86
It's not a 15-91 Battle-Axe, but it's a very interesting model 15 derivative. The -91 subnumber indicates the potted motor version, it has a direct drive gear, and doesn't have motor belt. Only Singers had this motor as far as I know, model 101, 201-2 and the later 15s. Yours seems to have an additional features where the top tensioner is on models like 66 and 201 (the black round thing that looks like a bulls eye) What is it for? The switch knob on the bed under the stitch length lever is typical of the Japanese 15 clones, sometimes theres' two push buttons. The original Singer 15s had a setting screw for lowering the feed dog under the base.
The White 1514 was my first vintage machine purchased about a year ago. I now have 12 nice "clones," all different brands except for 3 Whites.
Just so I qualify to post on this thread, I do have a 15-91 I got at Goodwill. It was hiding in the bottom of a cart and about to be put on the shelves. No case, no cabinet- just a foot pedal. Haven't cleaned it up or run it yet, but it's in really good shape. Price tag was $29.99. Born sometime in 1936.
I swore when I started my small collection that there would be no Singers. But the 15-91 found a way home with me. Then an old friend called and asked if I wanted her dad's "old sewing machine." For free- no less. I almost wet myself when I saw the box- really nice FW from '46. She had no idea.
#89
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Havelock NC
Posts: 187
I originally set out to find some parts for my 1901 treadle model 27 that had been in the family possibly since 1901.
I picked up a 1910 model 27. It is too nice to cannibalize. I have it operational and put it up for sale. Only because these machines seem to multiply...
I picked up a model 15-91 today serial number AG313649. The number was allotted with 35000 on December 30th 1941 so I’m guessing it had to be built in 1942. I wasn’t planning on adding any more machines but 1941/1942 struck a possible rarity with me. Also it had an owners manual and says it can reverse stitch
I got it home and replaced the power cord and oiled it some. It’s still very sluggish. I’m thinking it’s the controller. I haven’t took the controller apart yet. I do remember we used to be able to flip the winding in slot car controllers to avoid worn segments. The cabinet shows some signs of being refinished I noticed some drips on one edge of the table.
I picked up a 1910 model 27. It is too nice to cannibalize. I have it operational and put it up for sale. Only because these machines seem to multiply...
I picked up a model 15-91 today serial number AG313649. The number was allotted with 35000 on December 30th 1941 so I’m guessing it had to be built in 1942. I wasn’t planning on adding any more machines but 1941/1942 struck a possible rarity with me. Also it had an owners manual and says it can reverse stitch
I got it home and replaced the power cord and oiled it some. It’s still very sluggish. I’m thinking it’s the controller. I haven’t took the controller apart yet. I do remember we used to be able to flip the winding in slot car controllers to avoid worn segments. The cabinet shows some signs of being refinished I noticed some drips on one edge of the table.
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