Use It or Lose It: 1966 Singer 331K4

Just when I thought I had counted all of the vintage and antique machines here, I forgot to add the 1966 Singer 331K4 Industrial! This brings the machine count up to 15. Another machine that I absolutely love and don't want to live without.

Although this is a full-on industrial machine, its purpose is not to sew through thick fabrics or leather. The sole purpose of this machine is to sew F-A-S-T!

In fact, it sews SO fast that I only use this baby for sewing mostly straight seams. There's no going slow around curves with this thing.

Other than the fact that this machine was manufactured in Singer's Scotland plant in 1966, I really don't know that much else about it. I had always wanted to try an industrial machine, and found this one advertised locally from a business that was closing and liquidating, and she came home with me for less than half of what they normally sell for. And, like I said, I absolutely love her!

EDITED: I'm adding some more information about this machine for those of you that had questions. First, get the free SINGER Service Manual PDF here from SingerCo: https://www.singer.com/search/support?title=331k4 Some of the illustrations are not very clear in this download, but the Service Manual includes all the machine specs plus basic information about threading, needles, and the bobbin winder that came standard with this model.

Next, here's a quick threading guide. It is recommended that a thread stand be used with this machine to help the thread untwist before stitching. I have the original Singer Thread Unwinder No. 225258 stand on my machine, but you could use any stand, as long as it fits on the table.

From what I've seen and read, what looks like a thread spool on top of the machine is actually a thread guide.It is optional to use, but I have found the machine to stitch best when I use it.

And this thread guide MUST be used before continuing on the thread path to the tensioner, thread uptake lever, and on to the needle. Once I had the machine threaded properly it sewed like a dream.

The last bit of information to share is that this machine does not use standard 15X1 sewing machine needles, it uses Singer Industrial Machine Neeldes size 16X87. Just do an internet search to find places that stock the needles.

If you'd like to see some of the other machines in my collection, you can click back to read about these oldies but goodies:
#14. Singer 500A
#13. 1935 Singer 221
#12. c.1960's BERNINA 730 Record
#11. c.1950's Brother

#10. 1954 Singer 301

#9. 1934 White Rotary

#8. 1954 Singer 319W

#7. 1957 Singer 221

#6. 1934 Singer 99-13

#5. 1922 Singer 66

#4. New Wheeler Vibrating Shuttle

#3. Singer 114K103

#2. 1919 Singer 128

#1. 1901 Singer 15-30