New "Old" Singer
12-04-2014, 12:26 PM
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Camdenton, Mo
Posts: 261
New "Old" Singer
I tried earlier to post this and it disappeared into cyber-space, so if this is a duplicate, I apologize.
I was recently given an old treadle machine that had belonged to my mother-in-law. My husband who is 75 says he thinks she had it before he was born. It is in very rough shape, some of the paint/decals are worn off and it has been converted to a motorized machine. The cabinet is in really rough shape but it does have some attachments. The number off the little plate on the lower right looks like G7153593. I know nothing about old machines, even though I learned on one similar to this. Can anyone direct me to a website where I can get information on it, or tell me something about it.
Thanks, Evy
I was recently given an old treadle machine that had belonged to my mother-in-law. My husband who is 75 says he thinks she had it before he was born. It is in very rough shape, some of the paint/decals are worn off and it has been converted to a motorized machine. The cabinet is in really rough shape but it does have some attachments. The number off the little plate on the lower right looks like G7153593. I know nothing about old machines, even though I learned on one similar to this. Can anyone direct me to a website where I can get information on it, or tell me something about it.
Thanks, Evy
12-04-2014, 01:14 PM
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Samsonville, New York
Posts: 268
As I read it, your machine was made in 1919. Here's a link to the Singer lists of serial numbers: http://www.singerco.com/support/machine-serial-numbers
12-04-2014, 01:55 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Samsonville, New York
Posts: 268
Originally Posted by Evy
Can anyone direct me to a website where I can get information on it, or tell me something about it.
Thanks, Evy
Thanks, Evy
Your machine uses the back clamp presser feet/attachments. These are harder to find than the more common side clamp, but you have several, and probably all you need. You have attachments from more than one machine, which often happens. Of the attachments in your photo, in the top row, the one on the right is back clamp (middle and left are side clamp). In the bottom row, left to right: the bobbin plate is probably from a Singer 27; the next foot is back clamp (fits your machine); the second foot is side clamp; not sure what the object is below the feet. The round bobbin is for the 66 (and many other machines); the two shuttle bobbins are maybe for a 27 but could be for another vibrating shuttle machine; the next attachment is for the 66; and the little tool may or may not be original (I don't recognize it).
I have two 66 red eye treadles (1910 & 1914) and just got one that's electric (1924). I think they're so pretty! Just use sewing machine oil to clean it, and give it a good inside cleaning and oiling. When they're happy, they practically go by themselves - the wheel is easy to turn. As you're cleaning, watch for a little piece of red felt held in a small spring just in front of the bobbin (towards you). It's a wick for oiling the bobbin and should be left in place.
It should be easy to remove the motor and put a leather belt in place if you want to restore it to a treadle.
http://www.sewalot.com/singer%2066.htm
12-05-2014, 02:21 AM
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
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Go check out Glenn's method of restoring the finish before you clean that machine link:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t193635.html READ READ READ before you try anything. That 'stuff' on it is the finish. Be very careful or you will ruin the decals. It is possible to make that machine really shine. It will sew very nice and treadle smoothly when you are done restoring it.
Check to make sure the center 'drawer' is empty. I got a treadle once that had stuff in there - the seller didn't know that was a drawer. Then again it might not have a drawer it might just be a front.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t193635.html READ READ READ before you try anything. That 'stuff' on it is the finish. Be very careful or you will ruin the decals. It is possible to make that machine really shine. It will sew very nice and treadle smoothly when you are done restoring it.
Check to make sure the center 'drawer' is empty. I got a treadle once that had stuff in there - the seller didn't know that was a drawer. Then again it might not have a drawer it might just be a front.
12-05-2014, 04:22 AM
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Camdenton, Mo
Posts: 261
Originally Posted by Champanier
Read a little further and saw that you wanted more information. Your sewing machine is a Singer 66 and the decal pattern is usually called Red Eye, although I've seen them called Redheads and I think the official name is Red Scroll. They started making the 66 around 1907 - 1910; I've seen different dates.
Your machine uses the back clamp presser feet/attachments. These are harder to find than the more common side clamp, but you have several, and probably all you need. You have attachments from more than one machine, which often happens. Of the attachments in your photo, in the top row, the one on the right is back clamp (middle and left are side clamp). In the bottom row, left to right: the bobbin plate is probably from a Singer 27; the next foot is back clamp (fits your machine); the second foot is side clamp; not sure what the object is below the feet. The round bobbin is for the 66 (and many other machines); the two shuttle bobbins are maybe for a 27 but could be for another vibrating shuttle machine; the next attachment is for the 66; and the little tool may or may not be original (I don't recognize it).
I have two 66 red eye treadles (1910 & 1914) and just got one that's electric (1924). I think they're so pretty! Just use sewing machine oil to clean it, and give it a good inside cleaning and oiling. When they're happy, they practically go by themselves - the wheel is easy to turn. As you're cleaning, watch for a little piece of red felt held in a small spring just in front of the bobbin (towards you). It's a wick for oiling the bobbin and should be left in place.
It should be easy to remove the motor and put a leather belt in place if you want to restore it to a treadle.
http://www.sewalot.com/singer%2066.htm
Your machine uses the back clamp presser feet/attachments. These are harder to find than the more common side clamp, but you have several, and probably all you need. You have attachments from more than one machine, which often happens. Of the attachments in your photo, in the top row, the one on the right is back clamp (middle and left are side clamp). In the bottom row, left to right: the bobbin plate is probably from a Singer 27; the next foot is back clamp (fits your machine); the second foot is side clamp; not sure what the object is below the feet. The round bobbin is for the 66 (and many other machines); the two shuttle bobbins are maybe for a 27 but could be for another vibrating shuttle machine; the next attachment is for the 66; and the little tool may or may not be original (I don't recognize it).
I have two 66 red eye treadles (1910 & 1914) and just got one that's electric (1924). I think they're so pretty! Just use sewing machine oil to clean it, and give it a good inside cleaning and oiling. When they're happy, they practically go by themselves - the wheel is easy to turn. As you're cleaning, watch for a little piece of red felt held in a small spring just in front of the bobbin (towards you). It's a wick for oiling the bobbin and should be left in place.
It should be easy to remove the motor and put a leather belt in place if you want to restore it to a treadle.
http://www.sewalot.com/singer%2066.htm
12-05-2014, 06:36 AM
#8
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
Posts: 4,890
I'll try to convince you to keep it. Singer 66s make a very nice straight stitch. They're perfect for piecing quilts. Not only do you get a nice looking stitch, they are quieter than many newer machines. It's well worth spending some time sewing with it. If you've never used a treadle you will be surprised at how effortless it is and you get very good control while treadling too.
Rodney
Rodney
12-05-2014, 06:53 AM
#9
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
OH YES keep it - clean it up - follow instructions on the sticky and Glenn's info - you will just love that machine. Rodney is right. At least then you would have a back up machine. Don't be afraid of it - those are very simple machines. If you can figure out a pattern and read directions you can get that machine going. If you choose to have someone else work on it for you it might be worth it because you might save the cost of a repair on your other machine. singerco.com - look at the manual section and put in 66 and it should give you a free owner's manual.
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