what is this?
 

I found this at a goodwill. What do I have? It has no gears. Help I know it is a 237, but it has a zig-zag stitch, but the foot and feed-dogs are for single.

I think I would google singer dealers and try to find one who can recognize the machine by your picture of it.

You just change the foot to a zigzag foot for the machine (probably a very standard screw-on foot that is widely available). Not sure what you mean about the feed dogs being for straight stitch? Maybe you mean the stitch plate is for straight stitching? Then you need to purchase the zigzag stitch plate for the machine.

Chances are good that the zigzag foot and zigzag stitch plate got separated from the machine a long time before the machine was dropped off at Goodwill.

Edit: Very clean-looking machine! The zigzag stitch selector is clearly visible in the photo. Also any machine that has different needle positions (this one has a center, left and right needle position selector) would have come standard with a zigzag stitch plate.

Thanks guys. I'm gonna delve further into this. I had to order the bobbin holder and bobbins and a belt before I can try to use it. I can hardly wait for the parts to arrive. Has not ever been oiled I think. The no gears part is funny looking. Barny Yes I mean the stitch plate.ha

Well it's barny again. I went upstairs to look at my ZZ Singer and the needle moves. On this 237 the whole bobbin holder and I guess "crankshaft" like on a car goes back and forth to make the ZZ stitch. Strange! The feed dogs are small and the needle hole is small. Prism it is clean. No oil or anything.

You will need a different foot (zigzag) and different feed dog plate for the machine. When new it came with the 2 plates...and a couple of different feet.
I'm sure you can find them from a Singer Dealer, most of them ship.

I had a machine like that. I can't remember if it had a zig zag foot. Great machine.

Found this website that might be helpful:
http://vssmb.blogspot.com/2011/07/do...7-tension.html

Here's a Youtube video of the zigzag stitch in action. Looks normal to me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxckBfLbyWs

I went to those websites and they are very, very good. Thanks a lot Prism. I need all the help I can get.ha.

Congratulations on your purchase.