Singer 201-2 how to clean it and worth

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03-19-2015, 07:42 PM

#11

DonnaMiller

Senior Member

Join Date: May 2012

Location: Spring Hill, Tennesee

Posts: 497

201 Worth

I purchased one like yours for $100 in a resale shop in Taylorville, Illinois. It was in the art deco, curved wood cabinet you describe. It has attachments. Rejoice, because the 201 is arguably the best machine Singer ever made. In fact it cost too much to produce and Singer went to a lesser machine right after the 201. A lot has been written about that machine. The tooling produced a very quiet machine you described. With a good cleaning, it should last a lifetime. Be sure to oil it per the manual. About every 8 hours of work should be fine. Someone once said of the 201, it could wear out 4 old ladies, at least. I resemble that remark. This machine will certainly outlast me.

03-20-2015, 11:38 AM

#12

Heather Elaine

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2015

Location: country living outside of Natchitoches, La.

Posts: 45

I have it shining and it looks great. Oiled and when I move it by hand it makes no noise. Having to get husband to rewire the foot peddle before I can check on how it runs. All parts are no longer brown but it seems to still have a layer of residue I can't get off, not sure that it isn't a layer of the finish but the parts I have gotten off are more shiny than areas not removed. Scared I will mess up decals if I remove any more of the finish. Will post pictures when daughter can help me load them.

03-20-2015, 03:10 PM

#13

Stitchnripper

Power Poster

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Mableton, GA

Posts: 11,687

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtnquiltinglady

I see you are from LA; the old Singers seem to come at a premium down there. You won't be able to find one as easily as you can in other areas of the South. I have a cousin who lives in Caldwell Parish, and the only old Singer we have seen in our searches down there was an old, beat-up, very dirty, one in a coffin-type covered case. And it was only for show in a local restaurant--not for sale. If you really feel that you don't want to keep it, hold out for what it is worth, $200 at least, and take bids on it if you want more.

I'm in Baton Rouge and find that the vintage machines are not "a dime a dozen" around here. I have looked for a long time at garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores and don't come across them all that often and when I do, they are either in derelict shape or way over priced. So when someone comes on the board and says what kind of machine shall I take to class and people say get a Featherweight, I think, good luck with that if you are in any kind of a hurry!! Based on what I find here and in the vicinity.

03-20-2015, 07:19 PM

#14

J Miller

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2012

Posts: 8,091

We paid $75.00 ± about 2 years ago in a thrift/ antique store in in IL for our 201-2.
To clean yours I'd suggest oil and cotton balls on the machine, even the old shellac will sometimes come off brown so take it easy on the finish.
For the cabinet I'd use Murphy's Oil soap, then some Bri Wax to spiff it up.

Joe