Rach L.

There's a 306k for sale in my area pretty darn cheap. However, I know that this machine takes odd needles, changing the bobbin can be a pain, and there is a possibility the timing was monkeyed with to accommodate a standard needle. Anyone familiar with the 306k? Is this really a "leave it" machine?

As always thanks for the input!

Candace

If it's cheap enough it would be worth adding to a collection. They're not my favorite machine but I still can't part with my 319 which is the big sister to the 306. The accessories alone may transfer to other machines and make the purchase "worth" it.

KenmoreRulesAll

This may come across as odd but I like the 206/306/319 series just for their looks. If they're in really good shape, they make quite a statement in a cabinet. I have a 306K and a 319W and while noisier than some other machines, they sew beautifully. The embroidery stitches they do are as good if not better than most machines I own including some really great Kenmores (and coming from me, that's a ringing endorsement). The correct needles can still be purchased but they're getting more expensive and more difficult to find, as they're only made in 2 sizes now.

Here are mine. They're not in perfect shape but I like them and like how they sew.



And I agree with Candace that depending upon the price, the feet and attachments and the table might make the machine negligible when considering the total purchase.

Rodney

Those are some great looking machines. The only reason I don't have a 306 is I'm holding out for a 319 though if the right 206 came along I wouldn't hesitate. I think the 206 might be Singer's first domestic zigzag. Please correct me with the right info if I'm wrong.
Rodney

KenmoreRulesAll

You are correct, sir!

ThayerRags

Rach L, I couldn’t wait to find a Singer 306 to treadle, and I finally found a Singer 306W24 back in March of 2012. I promptly removed the motor and light and put it into a treadle cabinet. Soon, I installed a spoked handwheel on it to help with starting and hand-wheel-stitching, but it was not really required just to treadle. I stocked up on needles for it, not needing anything but size 11 and 14. I wanted it for sewing cotton, especially mending jeans, and that’s what I’ve used it for.

I still have it set in a treadle, but I haven’t used it much since March 2014 when I found my second green Singer 319W that I also converted to treadle. I’d had a 319W electric since October 2009, but I couldn’t bring myself to remove the matching green control, light, and cord all in excellent condition to make it a treadle (yeah, I know, I could always turn it back into an electric, if, and a big if, I could remember where the light, motor, and cords were at).

I use the 319 now in place of the 306. I’ve since gathered up a couple of Singer 206K machines, but since I have the more advanced models, I haven’t fooled with either of the 206s at all. The 306 with a spoked handwheel is just slightly more difficult to treadle than the 319 with the original handwheel, and that could just be the condition of my particular machines.

If you’re going to treadle, then the 306 is something that you could use. If you’re going for electric machines, there are other models that may serve you better. If you’re going for a handcrank, the Singer cranks won’t work on the 206, 306, or 319. Singer offset the mounting boss to one side on these models. But for treadling, the 306 is a fun way to have a zigzag machine.

CD in Oklahoma

manicmike

They're quite a good machine, and the needle dilemma can be corrected. An OSMG told me the problem is that during zig-zagging a 15x1 needle will hit the bobbin case, but you can easily have the case modified so the area that gets impacted is removed. It's quite a small amount of metal, and the OSMG did it for $5.
I never found changing the bobbin a problem with any of my 319s and 320s, although it's obviously more difficult than a 201 (drop-in bobbin).

If the hook timing has been modified it's very easy to change back. It's a good idea to change it back because they don't stitch at all well when the timing is changed.

Rach L.

So after all of you kindly gave your thoughts on the 306k, I decided to pass...my room is limited and I preferred to wait for a machine I really wanted. As fate would have it, the woman selling the machine called me last night to see if I was still interested. Apparently there were no other calls about it and she had no room for this newly inherited machine. I'm happy to report I got my first $10.00 machine! She's not pretty (yet), but the before and after should be remarkable.

KenmoreRulesAll

$10 can always buy a little more room at my house.

Rach L.

KenmoreRulesAll I completely agree with that statement!