Singer Green 186 Machine
 

Ok, I am getting ready to move...dont have the time to do a full restore on this little baby. She runs, but sluggishly, I am thinking she really needs a good cleaning to all working parts? Light is there and it is working. Its in a blonde cabinet, looks like its time..50s era!

Would you sell as is and what would you pay for something like that? Or if I do put the time in to get her up to snuff, what could I expect? I just have to put a value on my time right now with everything else going on! I want her to go to a good home, shes just a little gem waiting for someone to love her :D

Looking for the wisdom of this wonderful list!

Sell it as is.

qltgrose,

Take a few minutes and check it out.
Remove the face plate and check for thread binding things up. If so clear the thread.
Oil it, top to bottom. While that's soaking in, remove the motor belt. See if the motor has grease points, if so grease them. Then put the belt back on and do not over tighten it. If the belt feels "right" its too "tight". Seriously, if the belt is too tight it will drag the motor down and the machine will run sluggishly. If the belt feels floppy loose it's about right. It just needs to be tight enough it won't slip. It will only take you a few minutes to do some maintenance and make it go.

For me to buy a machine like it is currently I'd pay no more than $25.00. But then I'm a cheapskate by necessity.

Joe

I bought mine at Goodwill or Salvation Army for $20.00 in cabinet and it was working perfectly. As many people say on this board, whatever someone is willing to pay.

Thanks everyone! Joe I think I will do a bit of that. I think when I first bought it, it did run better. We will see. I just saw one on that big auction site sell in cabinet for around $69. If I could get anywhere near that, I would be a happy camper. You all can sure find the bargains in machines. The only things I ever see at Goodwill or Salvation Army no one would want to drag home and even then I dont see them often. Must live in the wrong part of the country! LOL

You should try living here. I've brought more nice machines home from IN than I've seen here.

Joe

Did you mean a Singer 185? If so, then the cabinet that it sits in is worth as much as the machine because it will fit 3/4 sized machines like the 185 and also the 99, and they aren't that easy to come by! Make sure when you advertise it that you mention the 'rarity' of that sized cabinet...heheheh.

I bought a 185, in a carrying case, for $35.00, as is, a few years ago (Craigslist)and I was more than happy to pay it because it had been on my 'wish list'.... :) . I had it for awhile before I finally sat down and cleaned her up, oiled her, etc and she was so-o-o pretty once she had been washed. She works great, too!

Yes I think it is 185
 

Thanks so much!!! I looked on the auction site and yes, I think it is a 185. There is currently a blonde wood cabinet only up for sale that is almost identical to mine. My machine has a smooth chrome head plate rather than the painted ones I see there. At one time I had her date of manufacture, but I will have to do that research again once I get her purring again. She is the size of the 99K and FW I had at one time. If I get her gone, then I just have my treadle and 201 to find new homes for! Thanks again, you guys are awesome!:thumbup:

My friend in Topeka KS found one in a little blonde cabinet and got her for $15.00. I just couldn't believe it. I am never that lucky. It is a cute little machine. I was green with envy!!

cheap machines
 

Wow Janie! If she was in a little portable case I might think of keeping her. Not only is she cute,she has that purr that all the FW and 99s have (even now when shes not running just right). I sold my FW a couple of years ago and I do miss it! I never have any luck finding cheap machines, but I am down sizing my life so I guess that could be a blessing! :D However, my quilting stash/assorted stuff never goes down so I am not being too good. I am looking for a new place that has room for a studio, even if its just a living room or family room large enough to call studio! LOL

Jody