The Upholstery Forum

So I acquired a Singer 78-3. Wondering if anyone else has one for auto upholstery. I am looking for a little help with normal maintenance and setting it up to upholster my old car. Needles, threads, timing etc. Does anyone have any experience to help guide me?

I think you should post a picture and we can help you save a few headaches.

Those machines were made 100 years ago. That don't mean that it isn't a good machine. Parts if needed may be scarce.

Any machine that sews is a good machine. The oldest, oldest that most are copied from I use the most in my shop.

Not much to do but oil it up and give it a go. If it moves freely and makes a good stitch then you're good to go. Don't worry about adjusting anything but thread tensions unless you figure out you need to. I'd start out with T90 thread and a size 20 needle.

Very good advice, only mess with the thread tensions. If you get that machine out of timing your in for trouble.