Thread: Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Originally Posted by sammygirlqt

A couple weeks ago I asked you for your opinion on a Singer 404 and thanks to you I bought it with cabinet for $35.00. She is beautiful and runs perfect.

Earlier this year I bought this clone "Fabric" that I call the Tank because it is the heaviest machine I own. We put a new foot and wiring on it for a grand purchase total of $57.00

I wanted to put the clone in a cabinet as it weights too much to be lifting up onto the table. I took my new cabinet for the 404 and refinished it (again with some help from here)

I have a 15 exactly like yours it says fabric also. :-D

Originally Posted by emmah

Originally Posted by grammydar

So where do I start???
What would you do first?

Right now I need to get some work done.

The place I would want to start is to get the smell of smoke out. A good citrus cleaner diluted in water and sponged on the cabinet, inside and out, or a vinegar/water mix. Then let it air in the sunshine if you can. After that I might put dryer sheets in the drawers to absorb any lingering smell.
Meanwhile, the machine can be gently cleaned. Does it turn? Maybe all it needs is a good de-linting and oiling.
If it is frozen look to the tutorial section under home and search for vintage sewing machine and you will find good directions. Be careful around the decals, the cleaner will take the gold off, work around them.
You are lucky to have the original instructions and accessories!

I agree with Emmah....Murphey's Oil Soap is good to use too, altho the citrus will most likely be better for taking out the odors.

I see at least 4 of those attachments that won't fit this machine....3 are for a top clamp machine, and one is a side clamp attachment.

Great find tho, that machine is really nice!

Originally Posted by Charlee

Originally Posted by emmah

Originally Posted by grammydar

So where do I start???
What would you do first?

Right now I need to get some work done.

The place I would want to start is to get the smell of smoke out. A good citrus cleaner diluted in water and sponged on the cabinet, inside and out, or a vinegar/water mix. Then let it air in the sunshine if you can. After that I might put dryer sheets in the drawers to absorb any lingering smell.
Meanwhile, the machine can be gently cleaned. Does it turn? Maybe all it needs is a good de-linting and oiling.
If it is frozen look to the tutorial section under home and search for vintage sewing machine and you will find good directions. Be careful around the decals, the cleaner will take the gold off, work around them.
You are lucky to have the original instructions and accessories!

I agree with Emmah....Murphey's Oil Soap is good to use too, altho the citrus will most likely be better for taking out the odors.

I see at least 4 of those attachments that won't fit this machine....3 are for a top clamp machine, and one is a side clamp attachment.

Great find tho, that machine is really nice!

What can you tell me about this machine?

Originally Posted by grammydar

Originally Posted by Charlee

Originally Posted by emmah

Originally Posted by grammydar

So where do I start???
What would you do first?

Right now I need to get some work done.

The place I would want to start is to get the smell of smoke out. A good citrus cleaner diluted in water and sponged on the cabinet, inside and out, or a vinegar/water mix. Then let it air in the sunshine if you can. After that I might put dryer sheets in the drawers to absorb any lingering smell.
Meanwhile, the machine can be gently cleaned. Does it turn? Maybe all it needs is a good de-linting and oiling.
If it is frozen look to the tutorial section under home and search for vintage sewing machine and you will find good directions. Be careful around the decals, the cleaner will take the gold off, work around them.
You are lucky to have the original instructions and accessories!

I agree with Emmah....Murphey's Oil Soap is good to use too, altho the citrus will most likely be better for taking out the odors.

I see at least 4 of those attachments that won't fit this machine....3 are for a top clamp machine, and one is a side clamp attachment.

Great find tho, that machine is really nice!

What can you tell me about this machine?

It's a Singer 66-1, also called a "Redeye" or "Redhead" because of the decals. If you can share the serial number (found on the brass plate in front of the post) we can date it for you.

They're GREAT machines! The bobbin cover plate seems missing, but is easily replaced.
Unless the pressure bar has been replaced, and it doesn't look that way to me, then the attachments are back clamping attachments....not impossible to find, but they can take some searching to find some at a decent price.

This group has me hooked on the older sewing machines. I just aquired a treadle with a 66 machine. The serial number is C412968. Does anyone have a way to date the C serial numbers?

Hi all,
I need to get an idea of pricing for some vintage machines so that I can sell them. I have had them long enough that I have no idea what they are worth and don't want to have my classified refused.
I have two black Featherweights in excellent condition. I have gone through them and cleaned, lubed, and polished, cleaned up cases and shined them up. One is a 1939 with the more ornate plate and the other is a 1957 with the striped plate. Both have cases. The older has the black case and the 1957 one has the two tone cream and tan case with side tray. All the wiring is good.
I have two 301's Tan and Cream. I will have to clean, lube, and oil those. There are no cases. Wiring is good.
I have two 15-91 machines that I still need to check out. I have just been moving them around for years. They are both in cabinets but different ones. The finish on the Queen Anne and matching bench is in decent shape. The style #42 has more storage, is solid but needs some cosmetic work. I think I will have to Craigslist the two cabinet machines as I sure wouldn't want to have to ship them. Any help you can provide will be most appreciated. Oh, also, I am planning on keeping one Featherweight and one 301 for my use and was wondering if the 15-91 parts are useful with either. There are duplicates floating around here. PM me if necessary. Thanks, Ann in Tn

Originally Posted by KenZ

This group has me hooked on the older sewing machines. I just aquired a treadle with a 66 machine. The serial number is C412968. Does anyone have a way to date the C serial numbers?

ISMACS gives this information on the C models:


C-Beginning 1908
When Russian army invaded Germany in 1945, they stripped all the machinery from the Singer Company's Wittenberg factory.


So no. The records are lost... :(

oh I looked it up and it says 1908 I guess I am not quick enough lol,,

Originally Posted by KenZ

This group has me hooked on the older sewing machines. I just aquired a treadle with a 66 machine. The serial number is C412968. Does anyone have a way to date the C serial numbers?

Just in case the Singer folks have more information, try putting the numbers in on the www.singerco.com site or on the page about my singer story and see if they can tell you more if you order the certificate thing. Can't hurt anything.

Originally Posted by grammydar

My sister saved this singer from the junk yard, her coworker's DH was going to pitch it (it's worthless)
So she called me and of course I took it.
All these accessories were with it, 2 instruction manuals, oil can.
But it smells of cig. smoke, ahhhhh.

What luck !! A wonderful machine and a nice cabinet.

Texas Jan