J Miller

Other than the 206, did Singer make any cast iron bodied ZZ machines?
All of them I've seen, and that we have, from the 319 up are aluminum.

Joe

Vintage.Singers.NYC

Hi Joe, the four (might be five) 206s I've got are all aluminum. I've heard that they made the 206s in cast iron as well, but I've never come across one. The one 306 I've got is also aluminum, and I thought that they all were, but I'd read online that some people own heavy, cast-iron 306s.

I'm not sure why it is that I only seem to come across aluminum 206s and 306s--I wonder if the cast-iron ones were not made in the 'States, or if it's just particular to my region (NYC), or if it's just dumb luck. If anyone can shed any light, please share!

That being said, I'd never take a cast-iron 206 or 306 over an aluminum one; having to tilt the entire machine back to change the bobbin is already a hassle, particularly if you're mid-stitch and still have the work under the needle--it's got to be an even bigger pain when the machine is heavy cast iron.

Mom3

Singer 237 is a ZZ and is cast iron.

J Miller

Rain,

Thanks. I thought ( erroneously I guess ) that the 206s were cast iron. I guess cos they are black and look like the old style black Singers.
So it seams that when Singer introduced the ZZ machines they pretty much switched to aluminum too. Very interesting.

Mom3,
I don't have anything in the 200 series. Our Singer ZZ's start with 3xx. I'll have to keep my eyes open for one.

Joe

Caroline S

My Singer 306M is cast iron.

J Miller

Hmmmmm, I'm gonna have to find a pic of a 306M. I'm not familiar with that one.

Joe

J Miller

Hmmmmmmm .... Hmmmmmm ( double hmmmmm ) ISMAC says the 306M is aluminum.

Joe

Caroline S

Nope, she is cast iron and is one hefty girl, made in Monza Italy. Her name is Sofia.

J Miller

Just for my curiosity, have you stuck a magnet to her?

Joe

Caroline S

Yep. Magnets stick to her like ticks on a hound!