Originally Posted by schwanton
I recently bought a Singer 66 in a cabinet at an estate sale. This machine had been electrified. This was from the original owner and had been mained fairly well. I am going to disassemble, clean and replace the rubber components. Do you have any suggestions as to what would be the best use this machine for?
The 66 was one of Singers most popular models, it had more innovations that you could shake a stick at. It was the smoothest machine running at the time when VS (Vibrating Shuttle) machines were the norm.
With the advent of electricity and the usage of it in the home, the 66 was extremely soft spoken when in use. The VS machines like the 27, 28, 127, 128 would beat themselves to death running with an electric motor. Believe me I put all of the electrics back on the 128 I got from Jan and it just about rattled itself to death when I had it sewing wide open!! :shock: :lol:
Darcene and I both agree that the VS machines were meant for treadles and handcranks.
I would use your machine for everything I could. From piecing to even quilting. You can get the darning plate for the machine and then find the low shank hopping foot and FMQ your heart out!!!!
You will fall in love with the machine I will say that, and if you want to convert it to a treadle all you need to do is take the motor of and slap it into a treadle.
Glenn is sending me a parts machine that I am going to build back and use it for my studio so I will not hurt the decals on my Red Eye. Although Anne's machine (rest its poor handwheel :cry: ) has the most complete perfect decals I have ever seen, mine is a close second to hers. ;-)
I say use it and enjoy the machine there is no telling how many of these vintage quilts were put together with a 66!
Billy