arpdesigns28

Sooo, I'm at the local Peddler's Mall with my mom looking for some gently used furniture for my little brother's new house. Aaaand, while looking around, Mom and I stumble upon a super old school sewing table with the built in machine. I think it is the featherweight, and the price for it was about like $30-$50 for the whole thing. At that time, I was looking for a good little sewing table for my current Singer (for those of you who have Pfaffs, or Berninas, stay calm, lol). I opened it up and was shocked at the find. My questions are:

1. Is it a good buy? The machine is questionable in terms of functionality, but the cabinet itself is in great shape.

2. If the machine is damaged, how repairable are they?

3. Has anyone been through this before, and what was your experience?

Would appreciate your responses. I have seen a few posts about the featherweights, and how valuable they are.

PegD

For that price (depending on your budget) I would snatch it up and worry about it when I got it home. I too have a Singer and like it.

sueisallaboutquilts

Yeah, I agree!! I loooove old Singers!!! :D
Be sure to let us know what you do. I'd love to see a pic!

Shelbie

I am doubtful that it is a featherweight. Because of the fold up bed on a featherweight, Singer only made one cabinet to fit them. They have an oval top, the machine can sit way down inside and the two front doors on the cabinet open up to reveal a small thread rack on each side. If it is a featherweight cabinet, they are rare and very collectible (any I've seen in Canada are $800 ++) What you've more likely found is a 99K which is a 3/4 sized machine (still a great machine) in a smallish cabinet. If you really do have a featherweight and cabinet in decent shape you are probably talking at least $1000. Run back and check it out!

Maride

I doubt is a featherweight, since I don't think they can be mounted onto a sewing table. You wouldn't be able to reach the bobbin if you did. Regardless, I think you have an excellent buy. Even if the machine doesn't work, you have a good table and they can sell for even more than that.

Shelbie

If you check Oct 16 in this quilting forum under pictures, there is a great photo of a 99K in a small cabinet. This may be what you have found.

Prism99

I also doubt it is a featherweight. There are 2 kinds of featherweights. For the most common type, the table to the left of the needle is hinged and can swing upright. For the rare type, the table slides off to the left (removable).

Most old Singers in cabinets are other models. For that price, I would expect an old Singer in working condition unless the cabinet was something out of the ordinary.

gale

Someone posted a great pdf file a while back with pics of several vintage singers. I'll try to find the post.

gale

Here's the post:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-48622-1.htm

lclang

Check it carefully. I had a 99K and it had serious tension problems and no one every got it fixed. I finally traded it off because it was so aggravating. Maybe I got the only lemon!