frudemoo

Hi everyone,
Sorry to add yet another thread about the price of Featherweights, but I am specifically interested in the freearm version and have no experience with Featherweights in general so am hoping to get some feedback. Someone in another thread here said 222K's sell for $1200+ so perhaps that has thrown me off-track...
But anyway, as the subject line suggests, I can purchase a 222K for $300 with some minor imperfections. What should I be looking for or be wary of?
Normally I would trust my instincts on it and simply take a look, but unfortunately the seller lives a couple of hours' drive from me so it's no easy task to check it out. I'm still interested in it but need a few pointers from the people that know!
Thanks!

Vintage.Singers.NYC

The first thing I'd check--is to be sure it is, in fact, a 222. My frequent Craigslist jaunts have taught me that you never know what they're selling until you lay eyes on the machine yourself. I had one seller insist he had a 221, and when I got there, I found it was a model 15 (he read the serial number wrong). Another seller didn't have a digital camera, so they pulled a photo of a Singer off the internet and posted that photo in their ad--the photo was a 31-15, but what they were selling was a 99. "No, no," the woman insisted, unable to tell the difference, "they're the exact same machine!"

frudemoo

That's interesting - and good advice!
There are quite detailed pics of this one, including the badge. I suppose the distinctive body and free arm are quite inimitable factors in this case. I'm pretty sure it is what it appears to be, unless there are very convincing replicas on the market. It's being sold in a more 'as is' capacity though with no attempt to make it look better than an 'old machine' needing some TLC.

Monroe

Get the serial number, see some good pics including the bobbin case and machine case, and make the trip. Sounds like quite a bargain even if you have to make some repairs.

frudemoo

Thanks Monroe. I got the serial number and it looks like a 1956 model - does that mean anything to anyone? Interested to know if all 222's are the same or if earlier/later models differ in any way. I can't find any info on ISMACS or Needlebar.

Shelbie

Singer only made the open arm 222 machines for a couple of years so there shouldn't be any difference in the models. The machines were expensive to make and were expensive to buy for that time. As a result, 222's are much harder to find as there were so few made in comparison to the 221.

NJ Quilter

That's way too rich for my blood but it really doesn't sound all that bad price-wise. As Shelbie says...not that many made to begin with so relatively rare. If I were willing to pay that price it would definitely be worth the ride for me, particularly on a pretty day!

lovelyl

Go get that one! You can afford to make repairs with that price! The only ones I have found were in the $800 range. Let us know if you decide to purchase it.

valleyquiltermo

It may be wired for the UK and if it is it can be wired for the US at about $60.00 to $100.00. I got one for a good price and had to have it wired for the US, I love it. Mke sure the free arm is not broken and the bed hinges are not broken. The bobbin and case is in tack, the bobbin winder it there and the thread pin is also there.

Lyncat

I would grab it and run!