Vintage Singer Sewing machine
 

I have a chance of buying what the owner says is a Singer Red Eye Model 66-1 from 1912 for $65. The cabinet is included. I know that this is probably a good price, but I am posting pics so you guys can see if it looks like a good machine. The owner says that it runs. I'm going see it later today so what should I look for?

Look for the slide plates, they're not hard to replace if they're missing, but the new ones do look different. Make sure that you take some fabric and stitch with the machine, even if the belt is missing, use the handwheel to see what kind of stitches you get.
It looks like this machine has been electrified...the treadle pedal is missing. Not hard to replace, you can pick them up on ebay, but if you're looking for a treadle, it's going to effect the total cost of the machine. The cabinet looks pretty, love that the manual is there and some of the attachments.

I'd probably buy it, but would use the missing treadle pedal as a negotiation point, along with and problems the machine itself has. I'd offer $40....the pedal is going to cost you to get it shipped....they're cast iron and heavy.

ETA: Looking closer, looks like the flywheel is gone too...if you're looking for a treadle machine, keep looking unless he'll let you have this one SUPER cheap...

I'd pass on it...too many parts missing. If it's a side clamping machine I would offer $15 or $20 for just the machine because some nice treadles come with back clamping 66's and those do not use modern low shank feet. When you find a nice complete treadle you can swap your machine for the one in it if need be. On second thought, if the top of that cabinet is as nice looking as the front, I might make an offer based on what is missing....which is most of the treadle parts.

I hope you got it. Negotiate some, but seems like a good thing.

I use a treadle table as a base for my modern machine. If you think it will run, go for it. A hand crank conversion is availible at sew-classic.com

Thanks for the help. As it turned out I didn't get a chance to see it , but I talked to the women on the phone and she said that her grandma had converted it to electric. If she still has it this by this weekend I might go look at it just for the cabinet.

Even if it didn't work 65.oo is worth the cabinet is worth that, i would just make sure all the parts are there.