love the soothing sound and perfect stitch the vintage Singers make. they are built so well & easy to repair if something does go wrong. only machine above the year 1956 is my Bernina (14 yrs), my favorite is the 201, but I have 201,401, 500, 99,15-91, black & tan 221's. yearn for a 222 but just can get
myself to spend that kind of money! DH started cleaning my finds & now services vintage machines for half the Guild.
We haunt the garage sales. now we really need to find a market for all the machines we have acquired ! can't pass by
by the Black Beauties. smitty

ok ladies, when I got home from work, I dug out the old machine. I feel simultaneously guilty for keeping it boxed up all these years, and excited to try to use it. Can't start it up now (baby's sleeping), but tomorrow! Now, some help figuring out what I've got?! I can't find a model number on it; it seems there are pieces hiding inside the base (I hear them rattling around), but I don't know how to get them out; the bent piece of metal (see pic) seems to fit into a small hole on the base, and turn, but then nothing.This thing weighs about 150 lbs!

That bent thing goes into that hole in the front of the base and is your knee controller. I have a machine very similar to that but in a cabinet. Go to singersewingmachine.com to date it. There should be a stamped number on the base of the machine in front where you can see it. That is your serial #. I just priced getting my mother's machine fixed. Looks like it is going to cost almost $100 to get a new motor for it but I think I am going to do it anyway.

The serial number is at the bottom of the column on an ovel plate. It probably starts with a letter or two. If I can post the link right:
http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html
this is where you can find the date, model and number of machines made in the manufacturing run. I would suggest cleaning (there are tutorials on the board done by lostn51) or having it cleaned, before you really get it fired up.

For my part, my newest machine is a 1979 Viking. That's my 'fancy stitch' machine. Then I have a Singer 206, two featherweights, and a vintage Kenmore that I am getting ready for my DD. My favorite is my mom's machine, though, and the one on which I learned to sew. I use them all at various times. They are wonderful. What I am looking for now is a treadle to use when the power goes out. (What confidence that expresses in my DH! He works for the local power plant! :lol: )

I like the comment about using the treadle during a power outtage. I have a treadle and was without power for 5 days back in June. Problem is my treadle is in my basement sewing studio and without power is too dark to see to sew. Believe me I thought of it and was trying to figure out a way. Didn't think candles was a very smart idea and had no lantern. Here is a pic of my Singer I am getting a new motor for. I learned to sew on it. Several years ago I cleaned it all up and restored the cabinet back to its original look. It had cigarette burns all over it.

Are these machines beautiful or what???? Works of art to me!
Suzan- now I understand why your bro has it. I'm hoping he changes his mind and let us know when he does! :D

That looks like the Singer 99 that I got from the girl that works at my dentists office. When we were chatting about old machines she told me about her grandmothers machine. I mentioned that if she ever wanted to sell it to think of me :D . She ended up giving it to me!! I'm thinking of converting it to hand crank because the electrical wiring on it is no good. And you are right---it is HEAVY!!

That looks like the Singer 99 that I got from the girl that works at my dentists office. When we were chatting about old machines she told me about her grandmothers machine. I mentioned that if she ever wanted to sell it to think of me :D . She ended up giving it to me!! I'm thinking of converting it to hand crank because the electrical wiring on it is no good. And you are right---it is HEAVY!![/quote]

Yes, you are correct, I looked it up using the sites posted here; it is a Singer 99, made in 1926. I feel a little like I found a buried treasure. Still haven't fired it up.

Wow! You did a wonderful job on the cabinet....it's beautiful!

Lucky brother! Have you told him that these machines were meant to be used, not sit in storage, and that she will be much happier in a home rather than being shut away in the dark? Tell him you will keep her lubed and oiled and she will have lots of companionship.