I love garbage pickin !!

[toms73novass]

Was driving down the street last week and spotted a old sewing machine in pieces.

Drove past and started thinking about it more.... Would it sew upholstery?

I could easily throw this out as the last person....

Picked it up and took it home, sure enough it was a singer 111w103 walking foot industrial machine.

Down loaded a manual and set all the parameters and timing tension and wallah!

Sews like a champ. Folded over some jeans multiple times and it handled it no problem.

 

[countryroad82]

I can't understand for the life of me how people can throw away GOOD junk!!!!

 

[ratdoggy]

I can't understand for the life of me how people can throw away GOOD junk!!!!

That's not junk. Those must be pretty expensive to buy. GREAT SCORE

 

[Danglerb]

More than 60 years old is my guess. Factory I worked in as a teenager had some like that that were originally fitted to work off a shaft drive instead of a motor. Keep them oiled and likely last a very very very long time.

 

[MartyO]

That is way cool!!!

 

[VWandDodge]

That is an awesome score.

 

[Weps]

definitely a good score. the tabletop alone would have made it worthwhile. same for the lamp. image aside, i think a decent sewing machine is one of the most useful tools a guy can own.



btw, if you're curious the singer site will allow you to date almost any machine by the serial number.

 

[american lockpicker]

Very nice!

 

[Test Tech]

That is a great find. Up until last month I worked as a contractor at an auto company (in Dearborn) and they used a very similar machine for sewing simulated seat belt straps for strength testing. They are very heavy duty.

 

[mrshaun]

thats what my upholstry shop uses. and all he does is custom work on old hot rods..

 

[woody 73]

very nice,I never can understand why people throw out nice things.

 

[Grogan14]

Nice find, indeed!

As much as I detest the disposable world we live in today, without it where would we find such treasure?

 

[countryroad82]

That's not junk. Those must be pretty expensive to buy. GREAT SCORE

I was meaning that's great ****/ junk/ sh--/ what-have-ya and yes those do command a very nice penny.

 

[JC23]

And those babies are F'n Bulletproff! Nice snag!

 

[domain]

Nice find, one mans trash is another mans treasure!

 

[toms73novass]

I was definitely stoked with I determined what it was and when I laid down the first good stitch!

 

[78fj40]

I have a roll of tan seat belt that would be perfect for making custom straps on this

 

[whelenfan]

That is one great score!

 

[dodge610]

You would be surprised at the things i found and brought home. I pick up trash for a living and have found some very good things. Some of what i find i sell most of it i keep. I have outfitted a complete HF service cart with tools just found an inline air sander brand new in the box never used.

 

[Catalyze]

Great sewing machine and a great rescue too! 2 slices of pie for you tonight
Craig

 

[cnc-me]

Wow, its a good thing you found that, hate to see it just rusting away...

 

[robin218]

Hey Tom- Any chance you can tell me where you found the manual for the 111w103? I just got one, and all I can find is the parts manual - NOT the user's manual, or anything about how to adjust it. Any help would be very much appreciated!

 

[toms73novass]

Ill see what I can dig up.

 

[toms73novass]

Here is the one I used:

http://parts.singerco.com/IPinstManuals/111W101_W104.pdf

it is for the 111w101 but it is close enough.

 

[nine4gmc]

I do upholstery and can seriously appreciate a great find like this one

 

[jkherd]

Nice save.

 

[tedsters]

good score thats when things were built to last

 

[ffemtdisp]

Unfortunately, from what I've seen, many older Singers don't bring much moneywise, as great and bullet proof as they are.

There are exceptions such as Singer "Featherweights" that can fetch many dollars as a status symbol for quilters, long arm machines, older commercial machines (as the OP posted), and really mint older machines. The newest whiz-bang machines go at least $2500.

I've picked up a thing or two about sewing machines mainly because I have an ulterior motive. My wife & her mother are sewing machine junkies, I have learned that when she can get a new sewing machine, very little to nothing is said about my new tool additions!

They are tools, none the less.

 

[Grizzly Guy]

Nice score indeed.

 

[thundermug]

That thing is too cool. Even if the machine didn't work, you've got a work table and a light.

 

[Farmall450]

Nice!

 

[Gmonkee]

Those machines are still made today, although not by Singer anymore. I see them in the stores here in Mexico.
A blind man with a Singer and the new version in front of him would not know there was a difference.

The table under that one is later production for the pressed steel construction, all the early ones had cast iron legs and treadle.

 

[exmaxima1]

If you like dumpster diving AND sewing machines, check out what's on the dock here. I rent commercial space from an old sewing machine company (Union Special) and they toss out lots of obsolete parts. These will fetch about 10 cents/lb....

 

[warmpancakes]

looks like aluminum? If so you are getting screwed at .10 per LB shread steel is .10 per lb aluminum is closer to .50 for the **** aluminum

 

[exmaxima1]

looks like aluminum? If so you are getting screwed at .10 per LB shread steel is .10 per lb aluminum is closer to .50 for the **** aluminum

Nope, it's cast iron. Those are commercial-grade sewing machines, that start at over $3k. Some run so fast they even have automotive style spin-on oil filters!!