I think I was wrong
 

I bought a 221 featherweight quite a few years ago. I paid more than I should have for it but I wanted it as it was in excellent condition. Once I really looked at it I noticed that the dial showing the numbers for the tension was missing. I have been irritated about that for some time. That is, thinking I didn't have enough sense to notice that when I bought it. The serial number says it is 1936. Today I looked up a picture of a 1936 featherweight and it doesn't have the number dial on the tension spool either. I think my machine is exactly the way it is supposed to be. Am I correct.

It's perfect...check out the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rvGpxj9pKI

Enjoy, Dan

read this


http://www.singer-featherweight.com/...s/history.html

Yes, you are correct. My 1936 has no numbers on the tension dial. I think the numbers were added around 1939 or so, but don't quote me on that!

Glad it work out for you, enjoy your little beauty!!!

You are correct. Early tension dials did not have numbers.

Thank you all. I don't know why it didn't dawn on me earlier. I kept reprimanding myself for not looking at it closer but now I'm as pleased with it as the day I bought it. Thanks for all your help. The box was in good condition and had all the attachments, manual, bobbins, etc. The only think I have been working on is the smell. I read up on that and am trying everything.

Great to find out you "knew your machine" after all! On the case smell, me too...my "new" fw is in awesome shape! The box, too...even the original manuals...but the smell...and mine is not like something died smell...it is an old rancid grease smell. I changed out the original pad on the machine, but the box is seeming to "outsmart" me with the smell...I have set it in the sun, I have stuffed it full of newspaper, put it in the sun, change out, repeat.. I have wiped down the inside with weak bleach solution, dried well, set in sun. I have mixed in baking soda with the newsprint, set in sun...sprayed with febreeze, back to the sunlight, still smells like old rancid oil....I so hope it will get better as the box really looks almost new, has the 2 original keys and everything! Any help, please tell me!
K

Have you tried charcoal in your case? Sometimes that takes out the smell. Vanilla sometimes works too. I used them in a refrigerator that's smell was BAD, and the combination worked.
Janis

There is a pad in the bottom of the machine that might be smelly. Maybe you need to replace it. Also the charcoal might help. I generally do not store my feather weights in their cases, I store a bowl of baking soda in them, and I find that over time this helps. Also do the sun treatment or put them in a hot car when it is not humid. I am so glad your machine is in order.

Fresh coffee grounds. Sprinkle in the case, out in the sun again, then vacuum out. We used coffee all the time when we were trucking and had to haul onions, followed by a non-produce product. Worked like a charm!

yep...coffee worked for me too. but then the case smelled like coffee. now...I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee, but...so then I tried odor eaters & a vacation in the sun after that....case smells lovely now

Featherweights came with a cardboard piece in the bottom of the case, with the corners cut out for the rubber feet. This way the middle of the machine sets on the cardboard and not the rubber feet. Most of time the cardboard is taken out and the feet go flat. If the cardboard is left in and not changed is gets oily and smells very bad. Yours being complete may still have this piece of cardboard in and making the smell. I have only received one machine with the original cardboard in the bottom and it was nasty smelling. It was replaced and then Charlee’s coffee idea was used and it worked great. Just as an added note. I cover this piece of corrugated cardboard with black felt for the black look and to place the machine on a soft cushion.

Kiffie 2413
I have done everything you have done. I changed the felt pad and it was original and it SMELLED horrible. I haven't tried the coffee grounds yet. I am going to try leaving it in the sun when the humidity drops and keep leaving it outside until it smells better. I don't think I will store my FW in the box anymore. I want to get a table for my sewing room and leave it out. I am going to teach a friend of mine to sew and I think that will be a great little machine for her to work on. Thanks everyone for your help. Seems like most of the storage boxes smell.

If you want to get the temperature of the case up to bake the smell out of it and kill any fungus/musty smell put the open case inside a vehicle that is sitting in the hot sun. It will kill the odor and you won't run the risk of the case getting wet in the event of a pop up rain storm. It can get pretty dang hot in a car. It may take a couple days but it will work. You might want to put a towel under the case to protect your interior if oil was spilled in the case, it might leach out.

I replaced the drip pads on all of mine - not very expensive

OK, here's the secret...buy some clothes dryer "fresh pads" and put them in the box, eventually the smell will disappear.

I also have a 1936 FW - aren't they wonderful machines? Thanks to everyone for pointers on how to get rid of the musty smell in the case....I'll have to try it!

Citrus is a natural deodorizer

1936 FW with no tension numbers
 

Hello, Is it considered a 'travesty' to replace the original tension assembly on a 1930's FW with a newer version with numbers? I had thought it was a cheap 'fix' to put a new, reproduction tension assembly on my 1936 FW---BUT from the reading I've done, the new parts aren't good quality. http://www.april1930s.com/html/tensi...er_sewing.html (This author says the reproduction tension assembly units are *not* good quality.)

Is there a way to mark the original tension assembly so you know where "normal" is, or do 1930's FW owners 'just go with the flow' and live without any tension numbers or marks? I have a similar question about the needle plate--is changing out the unmarked original for a needle plate with seam line marks a 'violation' of the originality of a 1930's FW?

Other than the BAD SMELL that I'm working on with a new felt pad, my little July 13, 1936 "Baby" just purrs and it has a delightfully perfect stitch. Just this morning, I completed a thorough oiling and greasing "ritual" and I realized that the belt is probably original and very cracked (yikes!), so I'm ordering a new felt pad and belt online. The prices for the felt pads varies a lot and one style is over twice as expensive because it has a rubber layer under the felt. What do people in this group recommend? Last question, what does this group think about the aftermarket LED replacement bulbs for FWs?