Does anyone know anything about the Singer 306??
 

I have a chance to buy a Singer 306 but I've never heard mention of it and I'm not sure whether I should get it or not. It works and is in a cabinet. She wants 50.00.

It was a swing-needle machine that came between the 206 and 319 in the United States.

It takes a 206x13 needle which are only available in 2 or 3 sizes, so I have always refrained from buying them. The 319 is interesting in its design with "typewriter keys" near the handwheel for selecting stitches, but the 206 and 306 don't have this cute little oddity to set them apart.

Some people have re-timed their machines of this type to force the machine to accept an ordinary 15x1 needle, but this causes problems elsewhere, so if you go to look at it, be sure to inspect the bobbin case and make sure that it isn't damaged from needle strikes.

All of these machines are strong and sew very well, but the lack of needle variety and the lack of distinguishing features would not entice me to put them into my collection. If someone gave me one, I would only keep it around long enough to clean it and (if feasible) restore it to good function to give to someone else.

I think $50 is a decent price if it's got a good kit of attachments and stitch disks and if the electrical components are safe and sound. It should fit in pretty much any standard Singer-made cabinet.

I have a 316G which is a German-made machine of this class - it takes a standard class 15x1 needle and it's in a treadle. I think that's the only reason I keep it - I can sew more than straight-stitching when the power is out. Changing the bobbin is rather a pain in the neck - I have to remove the treadle belt to tip the machine back because there is no slide plate. It's a bit on the clunky side - a strong machine, just not very attractive, nothing special. (until the power goes out, when it becomes my favorite machine in the house. ;) )

The bobbin on those machines face to the front of the machine. The slide plate goes to the side. Not a whole lot of room. My 319 cabinet is made with a door across the front. Behind the door is a hole to reach for changing the bobbin. No taking the slide plate off or the belt. It really can be done by feel. Plenty of room for the hand. I don't know that I would want that machine in a case. I haven't got mine running yet. I was waiting on some parts, then I got fascinated by other machines then ran out of time.

It's in a cabinet. I was wondering if the cabinet would fit my shortbed 301, since it sounds like the machine is more trouble than it's worth.

The cabinet will almost certainly fit your short bed 301, but you will need the 301 cradle and the two latches that prop the front of the cradle. (without the two latches, the cradle has nothing to hold up the front and keep the machine upright)

The 306 will be a more powerful machine than the 301, and with the vertical needle, it will give you less trouble with needle deflection. It's a decent free-motion quilting machine and it could become your favorite for FMQ, depending on what you're quilting with, now.

Its usefulness is relative and depends upon what you already have in your collection. :)

Hey now I wouldn't say it is more trouble than it is worth. Where is your sense of adventure? I bet once you got used to it and got it going you would simply love that machine.

I'm at a point where I can probably get away with one more machine before DH realizes how many I have, so I want to be a little picky and get something practical. I have a 127 treadle, featherweight, 301, 500a, and would love to get my hands on another 401 since mine died (I did keep it for parts and might just use it to wind bobbins).

What died on your 401? I love fixing those up.

It was a lot of years ago, I'll have to dig it out and look. I loved the thing, thought I was being good to it and took it to be tuned and when I got it back it never acted the same again. Definitely had a different cord/foot pedal. I think he might have exchanged some of the other parts too, nothing I could prove but very frustrating, from now on, I'll learn to take care of my own machines.