agpthng

Yesterday I was given a Singer Sewing machine AJ508177. I don't have the manual or know what the model is. I've searched using the above number but haven't found a match for the model number.

slohike

I think it is a 66 .

cashs_mom

You can get manuals from http://www.singerco.com/

And there's lots of good info on vintage machines at http://ismacs.net/

agpthng

So do you think this was a treadle machine to start with. Now it's controlled with a knee paddle. I looked up a model 66 and it shows a treadle.

cashs_mom

ISMACS says that the 66 started out as a treadle but was then a motorized machine. If you could post a pic, some of our knowledgeable people here will surely be able to help you out.

bkay

Singer made model 66 for years and years in all kinds of configurations. Yours was not originally a treadle. Look at how the electric plug was built in. Also, the stitch length lever is the more modern version, as is the bobbin winder.

Whether it could be converted to a treadle is another question. I can't answer that. I don't know enough.

bkay

Mickey2

The body was made March 27 1950 according ismacs. It's the later version of model 66 which were given a reverse lever, or backtak. It's a smooth running machine, very nice to work on. Model 66 was introduced in 1900 as the first with a horizontal drop-in bobbin case, and was Singer's top model for years. These cabinet's were fitted with various type knee controllers, some were of a clamp type where a foot pedal was inserted; in other words it could convert between knee lever and foot pedal. Other's had a type of fixed knee controler. It's a nice machine in a very nice cabine't. Cleand oiled and checked it will sew through anything you can fit under the presser foot. In that particular cabinet and with the hand smaller solid hand wheel you can be sure it was fitted with motor and light to start with.

OurWorkbench

agpthng, a lot of good information above. I have a 66-16 that is just a few years older. A more direct link to the manual would be to go to http://www.singerco.com/support/instruction-manuals and type in 66 and click on search. About half way down the page you will see three listings for 66, one is for the treadle, one for 66-16 and then 66-18. The 66-18 would be similar but has a different finish on it. You can find many model descriptions at http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...sses-1-99.html Something to note is, that while Mickey2's link to the AJ serial numbers indicates a date of March 27 1950, it is highly unlikely that your machine was actually made on that date. It simply means that is the date that the serial number would have been allocated to that model of machine.

Have fun with your "new" machine. Wipe down with sewing machine oil and be sure to oil the machine as indicated in the manual including the sewing hook wick (should be a what looks to be red felt as shown on page 8 of the pdf). They are good straight stitch machines and fairly easy to maintain.

Janey, Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

leonf

The machine head could pretty easily be converted to treadle or hand crank if you would chose. The Cabinet would have to change for a treadle though. Great machine.

HiDesertQuilter

Lucky you! Those sew beautifully. Have fun!