I bought this machine today...The serial # is AA723452
On the site it says 1925, I do not know the model number. The bobbin race or something in that area seems to be jammed.
It did not come with a bobbin or bobbin case...
Does anyone know where I can find out any info on this as it appears to be in good shape.
Thanks,
Kirsten

Ask Billie Lostn51 he is very knowledgable about machines

ISMACS is a good place to start looking for information. Website is http://www.ismacs.net/faq.html

Your machine looks like a Singer model 66 to me. It is pretty easy to purchase a replacement bobbin case for it, and the bobbins are widely available in places like JoAnn's.

There are also groups you can join that discuss vintage Singer sewing machines. vintagesingers and Singer are two groups you can join at http://groups.yahoo.com

Oops! I just took a closer look at your pictures, and that is a drop-in bobbin. You are not missing the bobbin case, and I think that rules out a model 66. By jammed, do you mean that you cannot rotate the wheel fully?

It is a model 66, built on November 6, 1925 in Elizabeth, New Jersey at the Elizabethport factory.

Here's the PDF file - http://www.singerco.com/pdf/SINGER_AA_nos.pdf

Not sure where to get the replacement parts from though.

AA- 716461 766460 66 50000 November 6 1925

is is for sure a 66 - a drop in bobbin and no extra bobbin case

I recently got a 99 with a 'froze up' foot bar - I really globbed on sewing machine oil and worked it GENTLY until it moved then cleaned the oil off and that cleaned it enough so it works fine now...

you could try that - oil won't hurt anything
dont' force it

you can use car wax on the machine but make absolutely sure that the wax has no abrasives and is safe for 'clear coat' finishes

I cannot rotate the hand wheel towards me...
Seems like something is jammed up somewhere, just don't know where...
All help is appreciated...
Any suggestions on locating parts, history is welcome.
Kirsten

She's beautiful!!! Lucky You :D :D :D

Check in your area for a local sewing machine repair person. I found a great one in my area. He LOVED my machine (a 201, built in 1939). Told me to never sell it! I paid about $100 to have it tuned up/electrical wires replaced. It runs great. He did grease it up alot though...still trying to work out the extra before I put the expensive fabric thru it.

Beautiful.

She is a beauty. Lucky you!!!!!

I too have an ancient Singer machine... and I was able to find the entire manual for it online. I think it was in the Smithsonian's archive of trade publications. In any case, it showed all the parts and how they go together. So, though I'm not mechanically inclined, I was able to learn how to disassemble the entire bobbin case area to re-time it (useful in case of SERIOUS jams).

I live outside Seattle and I take my singers to Mel up in Snohomish, WA. As far as I know, he is the only authorized Singer repair person in Washington state and he is a genius! He can fix anything Singer and is very knowledgable about the company. If you are driving a distance, he is very good about clearing his schedule just to work on your machine. It is pretty fun to drop your machine at Mel's and then spend a couple of hours shopping at all the antique shops in Snohomish. PM me if you want his number.

Oh wow, that is a beaut. Hope you can get it all fixed up so you can sew on it.

This is a Model 66 made at the Elizabethport, NJ plant. The serial number is in a series that was released on November 25, 1925.

The Singer website to identify machines by serial number is
http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html

There is a Yahoo group. Search for vintage Singers.

Yes, I'd like the number for Mel in Snohomish WA, please! My address is Snohomish but I'm not finding any sewing machine repair service listed in local phonebook. Didn't know there was such in town anymore.
Thanks!
(Your post says offline so don't know how to PM you...)

To PM here click her name on left <--- and it'll bring up a new screen
where it'll have a button that says "PM" click it type in subject and your message click submit and it'll send it to her.
Then she'll see a notice she has a new one when she logs in at top of the page.

To check your PM's look up top and see where it says "Private Messages" Click that and it'll take you to your inbox. (It'll show "new message" if you have any new ones)

Thank you -- I should've researched the posting info first. So nice to have someone take the time to inform me -- I really appreciate it.

I did find the info on a Singer site & have already called. (Should've tried that first, too....)
These info exchange boards are great!
Gloria

I would like the address and phone number for Mel's shop too. I live a couple of hours from Snohomish (Gig Harbor area) but at least it is on my side of the mountains.

Good afternoon. I find these old gals and most of the time it has so much dust and thread in and under the bobbin hook that it can no longer move. You must take it out (on the 99 you must release it from the bottom of the machine first) pull it out (take photo before you start taking it apart so you remember how to put it back together) clean all the "stuff" out, put a drop of Singer oil on the shaft and rework it. Once you get the hook assembly out, you might try moving the wheel again and it shoudl be ok. Otherwide, don't force anything. A few drops of oil and move back and forth 1/8" inch at a time each way until it frees up. I've also found that once these ole gals are free they sew like a gem. Check my model 15 on www.livingwellforless.net it was frozen up and now sews strong and smooth....
Capt Jack :)

Sorry I am coming in late on this one, you definitely have a model 66 and it is a beauty :D

You said it wouldn't turn for you, have you tried to disengage the clutch and turn the wheel manually? Its the little chrome knob in the middle of the hand wheel. If it does then we know it is the mechanics that are causing the issue.

You can pull the machine from the case and take the face plate off look around it might just be oil that has solidified and keeping it from moving. If that is the case you can use a hair drier and warm the mechanics up until you can move it with your hand and then just oil it up.

Just remember before you plug it in be sure to check the wiring and be sure there is no frayed areas or skinned places that would cause a shock.

PM me if you need any help I have all sorts of service manuals, parts listings, and owners manuals for these old machines.

Billy

Billy,
Thanks so much for your reply...
I was looking on the web today and came across somethings about this machine...way too cool.
I am thinking that this has an Oscalating (sp?) hook vs. the rotary hook.
I do not know the difference, yet, and perhaps will pm you with some questions and photos...
I think this would be a wonderful thing for me to tinker and perhaps try and fix myself since it doesn't seem to be anything major...yet
Thanks again,
Kirsten

Yes your machine has the Horizontal Osculating hook. The motion of the hook is forward 180 degrees (half a circle), then it goes back to the starting point in the other direction.

Let me say this, I am far from an expert on vintage machines but what I have learned about them is from ongoing research, hours of studying manuals, and lots of hands on experience. I have never been the type that steers away from anything mechanical and I will gut a machine completely and put it back together without thinking twice!

Fortunately I have a friend Les who lives down under in Melbourne, that is a third generation sewing machine repairman. Sewing machine repair is second nature for him just like breathing. Needless to say he is my go to guy when I run into anything that stumps me. Especially when it comes to the machines in the late 60's and the 70's.

But feel free to ask any questions and hopefully I will have the answers for you.

Billy

I dont know how to PM either! but you got a beautiful machine. I recently purchased a 1938 model for $25.00 in the cabinet!! But I need a new foot control for it.

You may already know what model you have but if you don't, here is a fun site where you can come close to figuring out the older models. I don't believe all of the models are there, but this site helps you to notice the difference between the models.
http://www.sandman-collectibles.com/...r-machines.htm

Hi Kirsten,
I believe this is a Singer Class 66 sewing machine. It appears that everything is intact except for the throat plate which I think you can get on line. The bobbin can be purchased anywhere. It is a "singer class 66 bobbin and is relatively common. You just drop the bobbin in so that the thread when pulled causes the bobbin to rotate clockwise. You should be able to see a couple of little slots to pass the the thread though. It is a nice sewing machine. I have quite a collection of old Singers. I use my Singer 201 daily. It is a favorite and also uses the class 66 bobbin.

This is a drop in bobbin machine. It does not have the removable bobbin case that many machines have.

Agnes

A person who you could contact is Deb Travis who deals in old machines. Contact her at: www.quiltersportable.com or [email protected]. I hope this is helpful. Good luck! :lol:

Well,
So I dinked around with that sewing machine last week. Couldn't get the hand wheel to turn.
It was like it was locked up or out of sync or who knows...
So I take it to my local sewing machine shop and tell 'em I need to have this looked at.
We put it up on the counter, plug it in, the person turns the handwheel after I HAD SAID it doesn't turn!!!!
Stepped on the foot petal and away it went.
Put some oil on some places, bought some bobbins and am now going to look for the threading instructions.
I did get it to sew...tension is bad due to my threading...
Kirsten

http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html

Here is a link for a free manual it is the second one listed just click the download button and you have it. It will have the threading instructions in there.

See I told you it was something simple, it takes an act of God to knock one out of time so if it isnt working right it is almost always a quick fix. It is a shame they can not build machines as sturdy now.

Billy

Check for threads down in the bobbin case area..even one small piece can jam up the works. suz