Heavy Duty Sewing Machine - Singer - Where's Reverse?

My neighbour has just bought a huge old machine for sewing saddlery leather and canvas items.

I have one but not nearly as big. I have just been over there and helped him out with a few things. However, we were unable to find the reverse on it. The reverse on mine is a lever which indicates stitch length but I just push it up for reverse.

I am wondering if his machine actually has reverse or whether you just turn around to go the other way.

It is a Singer which runs on three-phase power. There is a small plate on it, just below the Singer plate with crest etc, which says 7-33. I'm wondering if that is the model number. There's also the number 189 in felt pen but I suspect that is possibly a number from an auction.

Can anybody help or point me in the direction of somebody who can?

Thanks very much.

(As you can see, I'm practising using icons - fun!)

Toast,

7-33 is indeed the model number. The machine is what is known as a Singer Class 7 sewing machine. No reverse.

Here is a link to a copy of the Class 7 manual

parts.singerco.com/IPinstManuals/7%20CLASS.pdf

Thanks for that. I passed on the info this morning.

So, if you don't have reverse, how do you tie off the ends when sewing?

On my leather-sewing machine (ex upholstery actually) and my home sewing machines, I do a few stitches in reverse at the beginning and the end to stop the stitching coming undone.

What would you do on the Singer 7- 33?

Thanks.

We turned the work, when I was making upholstery; back about the time they refurbished the Ark.

Thanks for that. He's tried that & said it was a bit messy. He's not an enxperienced sewer & I suspect the tension needs adjusting.

I have suggested he get in touch with one of the machine technicians who service this area and they can go over things with him.

Thanks again.