jcrow

I took it in for a tune up and it works great, and it came with a printed manual. I bought needles and bobbins for it. Do I need to buy anything else for it? Certain parts or feet? Is there anything great about this machine? I don't know anything about it. At first, I thought I was getting a Featherweight, but then after I purchased it, I realized it wasn't, but I decided to love it just the same and take it to classes. I haven't used it to make anything yet, just tried it out to make sure it worked. I just want some background info and to know what I need to buy for it. It comes with just a plain foot on it. I don't even know if it does zig zag, which I don't think it does, does it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

barny

No, it doesn't do zig-zag. Just forward and backward. I love mine.

nygal

I have a Singer 99 and I love mine. I haven't used it yet we are in the process of rewiring her. I bought new bobbins, needles, oil, lubricant etc. for her. I may make a cover but I really enjoy seeing "Grace" in my studio when I am in there. So I won't hurry with the cover.

jcrow

So, what kind of oil do I buy for her and where do I oil her and how often?

Morag

I have a 99K made in Scotland (like me).....it was a gift from my daughter I bought the oil, grease, bobbins and an extra belt from sew classic.com. They have everything you need for just about any vintage machine.
I have two featherweights, a Singer 185K, a Brother Jean machine and an 1898 S Niger treadle.......
I should also say I have a Janome MC 6500P ... It is a great machine too but my old machines put it to shame for the thicker seams I sew!!!!!!

lswan

The Singer 99 is a 3/4 size machine with full power. Parts can be bought very reasonably at http://www.sew-classic.com/ - the owner is wonderful. I buy parts also on ebay. Plain, clear, good sewing machine oil. Clean the machine real well. Some other helpful sites are: the Vintage Singer sewing machine blog, http://vssmb.blogspot.com, http://www.singeroriginalvintageproducts.com, http://www.april1930s.com/, http://stores.ebay.com/SHARP-SEWING-SUPPLIES, http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/11/...ne-review.aspx
You can buy a 3/4 foot for quilting and other feet from these places, replacement bulbs, etc. There is a lot of info on the 99 on the web. I bought one and two Spartans (stripped down 99s). I am converting one Spartan to a hand crank. A good sewing 99 can crank through a lot of fabric evenly better than the "new" machines.
Linda

w7sue

I saw one at an estate sale this past weekend for $150 - once I got home and realized what i had seen, I was sorry that I didn't buy it. Oh well, next time. Right now I am bidding on a 301 and the price is at $61 and it's not my bid - not sure what I should bid up to - don't really know how much I should pay for it.

totosmom

Hey Jeanne. Congratulations on your 99. They are GREAT machines! My friend in Buffalo got one at a yard sale and was so frustrated with it that she wanted to throw it out the window. Luckily for her, it was too heavy. On my next visit, I arrived with a manual and discovered that her "tension problems" were caused by the fact that she had it mis-threaded (is that even a word?). All it needed was a little oil and a wound bobbin and she was ready to roll. She now uses it when her quilting buddies come to spend the week. She is sitting pretty with a hand made, quilted SM cover. So cute!

Now, although it is 3/4 size, it's really heavy to lug back and forth to classes. For that, you'll need to keep your eyes out for a 301. I love mine (two of 'em) better than a Featherweight any day.

Can't wait to see pictures ....

Janis

Jeanne, like others said, get your bobbins, #66 from some where like sew-classic. Don't get the Singer #66 bobbins from Walmart or Joann's. Somehow thy don't work as well on the vintage machines as the ones from sew-classic, I know, I tried some from Walmart and they were just a little off in size. If you have low shank attachments for other machines, they should work on your 99. I have 2 of them, a 1924 99 with the large metal foot petal, and a 1928 99-13 that has the knee bar. What year is your 99 from? Your manual should show how and where to oil it. Use sewing machine oil, NEVER 3 in one oil! Happy sewing!