J Miller

We saw a Singer 66-18 on GW last week that was here in SPFLD. Waited till the last minute and put a bid on it.
We won. I knew from looking it was a Centennial badged machine and since I was looking for a candidate to make a treadle machine with a reverse or back tack feature I thought this one might fill the bill.

We picked it up today. Ugh is that thing filthy! I'll let the pics tell the story.
Front:


Rear:


Bottom:


Spider webs inside:


Serial number:


The machine formerly lived in a cabinet. It still has it's hinges which is good cos those are kind of hard to find. The slide plate is there and there was even a bobbin in it. It also came with a box of accessory feet.
The only missing part is the spool peg, but I have one I'll put on it.

The insides are dry, dry, dry, dry. And there has been more than one generation of spiders living there. At least there's no sign of mouses.
The interesting part to me is the serial number. It puts the machine as one of 35,000 allotted November, 10 - 1950. But that's not the interesting thing. If you'll look close the serial number has been gone over with some sort of milling tool. I've not seen this before in any photo or machine I've seen. I wonder why that was done?
In spite of all this, the light works, the motor works and the machine turns ... albeit slowly. A healthy cleaning and oiling will fix that up lickty split.

To make it into a treadle machine I'll need a spoked hand wheel and an appropriate bobbin winder assembly to match. Oh and a treadle cabinet too. But I might just take one of the other Singers out of it's cabinet and put this one in. We'll see.

Joe

irishrose

Mrs?? That doesn't look like a lady to me, but then I guess not all missuses act like ladies. It will be a nice looking machine when it's clean. I wish you were close enough to take my little 128 off my hands. It just doesn't suit me. You'd love refinishing the bentwood cabinet as it's actually in pretty good shape. If I could hand crank it, then I might keep it. Anyway, I'm glad you got this one. It suits you.

LynnVT

Poor baby has been neglected for sure! But she is lucky to have been adopted by a loving, knowlegeable person like you. Hope you will have many happy hours together stitching away!

nygal

I laughed when you mentioned finding no mice! I just picked up a singer 66 tonight found at a Goodwill store. I am thrilled.

J Miller

I named this one "Mrs. Crinkle" because I already had another 66-18 crinkle named "Mr. Crinkle". Names are subject to change as the machines personality emerge.

I've about got this one cleaned up. The body anyway. I'm working on the chrome and other small parts now.

I did try my spoked hand wheel on the machine, fits nice. And the new style bobbin winder will work with it too.
So, I'm good to go if I make it a treadle machine.

irishrose,

I've never had a 128. If we ever head towards each others area maybe would could meet up. I'd love to adopt it.
Psssst, don't tell my wife I said that, she's thinks I have more than enough machines as it is.

Joe

Candace

I've got a 128 Crinkle and personally I don't like the Godzilla finish at all. It attracts dirt and dust and holds it there! Have fun cleaning it. Then keep it covered or you'll be sorry;>

J Miller

Candace,

Cleaning this machine so far has been pretty straight forward. Cotton balls and sewing machine oil. That took off about 90% of the dirt and dust. Very little old oil on the exterior. A tooth brush and oil should take the rest of it off.

I have ......... three, maybe four others with the crinkle paint and they aren't too bad. But as you said I do keep them covered or in their cases when not in use.

Joe

irishrose

Joe, my son is in Middletown, Ohio and will be heading north the last weekend of the month. If he's going back to Middletown, you may be able to meet somewhere on his return route. If he's going straight to Louisiana, I don't know. I'd have to look at a map. I do need the $35 he paid for it. No rust at all, blackside fittings, wood intact except a ding in the bentwood case, but both case and base could use some cosmetic work. I probably should have PM you as I can't sell anything here. Consider it informational. LOL.

The little cutie sits on a shelf in the living and doesn't get dusty.

J Miller

Information is good. Will fill it for future reference. If you have any other info PM me like you said.

Joe

thepolyparrot

I think the milling tool you mentioned is where they scrape the black japanning off of the SN plate. The operator apparently got a little carried away on this one and the japanning was marred to the right of the plate, too.

You've got your work cut out for you on this one. I have never liked the crinkle finish - it collects dust and always looks dirty, to me. And sewing - ugh - who wants a surface that creates drag on your fabric? I know a lot of people like them, though - and they're glad people like me aren't out there pushing the prices up! LOL!

Have fun with the new project - it'll sew planks when you're done with it.