Vintage Machine Shop: Singer 101 machines? Pros/cons?
05-01-2011, 10:40 AM
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Florida
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(to be added to the vintage machine section please!)
Hello machine enthusiasts...
I came across a Singer 101 machine in a cabinet. Looking to make a decision to bring it home or not. What are the pros/cons, reasons, reviews, rants or other info. you can give me about a Singer 101? thanks!
Hello machine enthusiasts...
I came across a Singer 101 machine in a cabinet. Looking to make a decision to bring it home or not. What are the pros/cons, reasons, reviews, rants or other info. you can give me about a Singer 101? thanks!
05-01-2011, 01:10 PM
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Florida
Posts: 946
Sure... here is what I've gleaned off of a few, very sparse, website mentions:
In 1915, Singer would introduce the first true electric sewing machine, the Model 101. Due to its incredible cost of $250, the 101 was not very successful.
The 101-3 and the 101-11 were the same, except that the -3 was cast iron, the -11 was aluminum. (precursor to the 221). Also, another site noted that the 101-3 arm and bed were not nec. cast as one piece. (I have not verified that info yet.). The 101 did not have backtack or reverse. The stitches were backtacked by means of setting the stitch length to "1" and sewing a few stitches.
(Different sites reference different build dates). According to ismacs, the 101 was made from 1920 to 1937 as the first fully electric machine Singer made. Therefore, the inference is that it was always electric, never treadle or handcrank. Notice the different bobbin winding mech. and the round, clicking stitch length knob on the BED of the machine. It also has a twist off, i think... aluminum cover over the motor. Round, not the rounded rectangle of the 'potted' motors.
The machine I found, has no model or S/N plate on the front bed/arm. It is in the special 'deluxe' library cabinet 40... that according to Singer/ismacs was only used for the 66k, 66-9?, 66-16 and the 101-3. The 101-3 was the cast iron head - and there happened to be a magnet stuck to the bed of the machine when I looked at it. So it's not the aluminum head version.
You'll note the similar faceplate scroll work and bed/arm decal scroll designs - similar to the Featherweight 221. But I do believe, based on what I saw... the 101 is a full sized machine.
I've attached some pictures from others' machines, craigslist and such. I had no camera with me when I found the machine.
In 1915, Singer would introduce the first true electric sewing machine, the Model 101. Due to its incredible cost of $250, the 101 was not very successful.
The 101-3 and the 101-11 were the same, except that the -3 was cast iron, the -11 was aluminum. (precursor to the 221). Also, another site noted that the 101-3 arm and bed were not nec. cast as one piece. (I have not verified that info yet.). The 101 did not have backtack or reverse. The stitches were backtacked by means of setting the stitch length to "1" and sewing a few stitches.
(Different sites reference different build dates). According to ismacs, the 101 was made from 1920 to 1937 as the first fully electric machine Singer made. Therefore, the inference is that it was always electric, never treadle or handcrank. Notice the different bobbin winding mech. and the round, clicking stitch length knob on the BED of the machine. It also has a twist off, i think... aluminum cover over the motor. Round, not the rounded rectangle of the 'potted' motors.
The machine I found, has no model or S/N plate on the front bed/arm. It is in the special 'deluxe' library cabinet 40... that according to Singer/ismacs was only used for the 66k, 66-9?, 66-16 and the 101-3. The 101-3 was the cast iron head - and there happened to be a magnet stuck to the bed of the machine when I looked at it. So it's not the aluminum head version.
You'll note the similar faceplate scroll work and bed/arm decal scroll designs - similar to the Featherweight 221. But I do believe, based on what I saw... the 101 is a full sized machine.
I've attached some pictures from others' machines, craigslist and such. I had no camera with me when I found the machine.
Singer 101 in Deluxe Library Cabinet
[ATTACH=CONFIG]191661[/ATTACH]
close up of 101 stitch length and bobbin winder guide on bed
[ATTACH=CONFIG]191662[/ATTACH]
Manual cover for 101
[ATTACH=CONFIG]191664[/ATTACH]
Text of manual page, note aluminum reference
[ATTACH=CONFIG]191665[/ATTACH]
Singer 101 in Deluxe Cab. - see how right side hangs down to conserve space. In this shot, the support arm has not deployed under the left leaf. Usually, the left side is flat/even.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]191669[/ATTACH]
05-04-2011, 02:26 PM
#7
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1
I have a Singer 101 that I inherited from my mother and grandmother. I use it for upholstery, pool covers, curtains and the like. I love the machine; nothing fancy but what a nice stitch! The best thing about it is the gear drive (no belt) will sew through just about anything. I think the cabinet is one of the nicest made. It takes any low shank attachment, which gives it zig-zag and other capabilities.
Jim
Jim
05-04-2011, 02:36 PM
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: My Sewing Room
Posts: 1,180
Originally Posted by kwendt
Anyone out there already have one of these Singer 101's? Good machine? Works well? Similar to 201 or ???. Do you like it better than other models?
07-22-2011, 04:17 AM
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Middle Indiana
Posts: 17
I just found out that my Mother's sewing machine was a 101. I got the service manual via EBay, and we are going to spruce her up again. It is in its original cabinet. I vaguely remember using it almost 40 years ago to make Halloween costumes. Eventually, it was relegated to the basement. Fortunately, it was not thrown out. I began quilting about 5 years ago, and will see how she does with piecing, etc. I also recently purchased a 301.
09-22-2013, 04:25 PM
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
The Singer 101 was the precursor to the 201 and uses Class 66 bobbins. The bed on my 101-3 is held by 4 screws and is a bear to remove at times. Another difference between some of the 101 models is the spider wick system. On mine (1928) has a shallow well where you add oil. If you overfill it you cannot lower the head into the cabinet without spilling oil everywhere. There are covers on the bottom of the head that pop off to clean and re-grease the gears. To remove the motor you have to give the motor cover a twist to remove then unscrew a small screw on the front of the pillar to remove the motor after removing the handwheel. After that things are fairly easy and simple to do. I clean and re-grease yearly. Phill
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