Sooo, I'm at the local Peddler's Mall with my mom looking for some gently used furniture for my little brother's new house. Aaaand, while looking around, Mom and I stumble upon a super old school sewing table with the built in machine. I think it is the featherweight, and the price for it was about like $30-$50 for the whole thing. At that time, I was looking for a good little sewing table for my current Singer (for those of you who have Pfaffs, or Berninas, stay calm, lol). I opened it up and was shocked at the find. My questions are:

1. Is it a good buy? The machine is questionable in terms of functionality, but the cabinet itself is in great shape.

2. If the machine is damaged, how repairable are they?

3. Has anyone been through this before, and what was your experience?

Would appreciate your responses. I have seen a few posts about the featherweights, and how valuable they are.

For that price (depending on your budget) I would snatch it up and worry about it when I got it home. I too have a Singer and like it.

Yeah, I agree!! I loooove old Singers!!! :D
Be sure to let us know what you do. I'd love to see a pic!

I am doubtful that it is a featherweight. Because of the fold up bed on a featherweight, Singer only made one cabinet to fit them. They have an oval top, the machine can sit way down inside and the two front doors on the cabinet open up to reveal a small thread rack on each side. If it is a featherweight cabinet, they are rare and very collectible (any I've seen in Canada are $800 ++) What you've more likely found is a 99K which is a 3/4 sized machine (still a great machine) in a smallish cabinet. If you really do have a featherweight and cabinet in decent shape you are probably talking at least $1000. Run back and check it out!

I doubt is a featherweight, since I don't think they can be mounted onto a sewing table. You wouldn't be able to reach the bobbin if you did. Regardless, I think you have an excellent buy. Even if the machine doesn't work, you have a good table and they can sell for even more than that.

If you check Oct 16 in this quilting forum under pictures, there is a great photo of a 99K in a small cabinet. This may be what you have found.

I also doubt it is a featherweight. There are 2 kinds of featherweights. For the most common type, the table to the left of the needle is hinged and can swing upright. For the rare type, the table slides off to the left (removable).

Most old Singers in cabinets are other models. For that price, I would expect an old Singer in working condition unless the cabinet was something out of the ordinary.

Someone posted a great pdf file a while back with pics of several vintage singers. I'll try to find the post.

Here's the post:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-48622-1.htm

Check it carefully. I had a 99K and it had serious tension problems and no one every got it fixed. I finally traded it off because it was so aggravating. Maybe I got the only lemon!

Singer did make a fold-up table for a Featherweight. And I agree with the others, I would buy it.

my answer didn't get in the above....Send Billy a picture of the machine and will no doubt be able to answer any question having to do with your new find.

To answer one of your questions, it is very repairable if it is an all metal machine. I have had so much trouble to new machines because some plastic piece breaks. It doesn't matter whether its a featherweight or another style, it is possibly an excellent buy.
Lois

WOW!!! Snatch it up. I am sure it is repairable. I have to featherweights one made in 1933 and one made in 1955. One has a fold up table that the machine (both machines fit on it) locks into. They both sew and I love using them. At that price you'd be silly not to buy it. Send pictures. Congratulations if you do purchase it!!!!!!

YES YES???!!!!this is a great find!!!

I just got a Singer 1931 Machine for 60.00 at an estate sale !! My lcs husband repairs and serices them and he told me it was well worth it... he sells the featherweight in the store from 300. -450. so you will find a service person in your are and get it cleaned up. they are collectors!!
Some of my guild pals use them when we do workshops... easy to tote and gret straight stiching!!!
Lucky you!! :thumbup:

would love to see a picture of this machine..I bought an old machine from an estate sale..it is a Sparten..but on the side it says it is a Singer..It is the size of my featherweight ..looks like it but it weighs at least 20#..I spent $2.00 for it..runs great..did need cleaned up and a needle holder replaced..other wise great little(heavy) machine..Kathleen

Sorry I spelled it wrong..it is a Spartan..Kathleen

you probably have Googled this by the time my reply comes up.
Featherweights are model 221, this is usually on the arm of the machine. Singer made a wood cart table that will hold a 221. they also made a very rare, oval table that the 221 sits in & stores in (even if you find this covered in paint-buy !)
mechanically, most 221s can be repaired. the gold decals can not be repaired without expensive re-painting. the 221 has a fold-up extension on the left end of the table. only 221 & 301 have this. this machine you are looking at is probably in a regular Singer cabinet that fits many, many machines. rarely do you see a 99 in the 3/4 size cabinet, but it if you do ! Spartan is just a 99 in a different dress. great machines,but heavier.
ISMACS is a great site for identity. also "Sandmans collectibles" on eBay has a really good ID site. Educate yourself so that if you do see a 221, you will be ready to jump. there are some real bargains to be had, but you need to be ready. I don't know how many 99s have been brought to us for repair of their "Featherweight". big $$ difference.

Get the serial #, usually on the bottom or sides, sometimes on the bed or the machine. then go to SingerCo site & look at their extensive list to see what model & what year it is. Most likely not a 221, Featherweight.

Oh, Featherweight owners! I love it! I piece quilts on a 221 and I want to connect with the rest of you.

I am borrowing a Singer 99K and figuring it out as I go...no manual. I understand they are little work horses for heavier fabrics that I wouldn't want to use with my Featherweight.

Bird With A Feather in Arizona

Diane

My Singer Spartan was made in Great Britten..#192K..I found the instruction book on line..Kathleen

Hi Diane, go to Singer.com and Customer Support and then manuals then type in window 99 and you can select to either purchase or download (free) a manual.

Thanks!! I will try that!

Diane

Go foro it girl, even if it takes you a while to get it fixed. What a find!!!!

So did you get it??

Anxious to see pictures of your find.

okay am new to all this and have seen feather weights mentioned before what are they exactly and why is it such a find please educate me

It's an older singer machine that is tiny and lightweight, so it's perfect for traveling or taking to classes, and they work really well. And they're cute. :mrgreen: Here are the pics I posted of mine:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-79603-1.htm

Okay here is the deal, Featherweights don't have cabinets. They come in little black boxes about 14-16" by maybe 10". They used to have tables that you could buy separately and now they are remaking them. The big thing is a Featherweight has a small surface that folds up against the front of the machine. All the others are solid. Even if it is a big machine that is a good price if you can make sure that it runs. If not, I am not sure but I would walk away. Just my thought. Jan