$300 for a 222K
 

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! :thumbup:
Thanks!

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!"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

I would grab it and run!

Use it before you buy it. Run the motor for at least a few minutes. To make sure the motor doesn't smoke! I just bought a 221 and I did run the motor for a second. Then when I got home to really test it out. It smoked. Turned out it had a lot of oil and old grease in the motor. I pulled the whole motor apart and cleaned it. Somewhat of an easy fix. But I bet I could have gotten a better price for it. Also make sure it has a bobbin case, and that the wheel turns easily.

I have a 222 that I bought and received shipped from England. Anything $600 or less is a bargain!
The 222s were made in Scotland for the English market with the English power only, so either a converter (which I got with mine, but did not work well) or change the motor for our power here. Wall plug will have to be changed, too.
None of that was a problem for me as my wholesale supplier has motors and everything else that I could possibly need.
By, the way 222 were made from 1953 until 1961. Serial numbers were EJ, EK, EL, EM, EN, EP, ER, and ES.
Let me know if I can help.

222s also came to Canada. Because they were available here and overseas, it does lower their price a little in our market. I do see $800- 900 regularly for them here, but they move pretty fast when they're priced like that if they come with everything. I've seen them as high as $1200

I picked one up in January: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...l-t210182.html - same price. Eliza (her official name, after my aunt, you'll see why in that thread) didn't sew when I got her. The timing was off, someone had been futzing where they shouldn't be, the "finger" was misplaced, the bobbin case was misassembled, the machine was sluggish moving. I bought her anyway. Timing is easy to set (with patience), the rest was cleaning, oil, grease, and proper assembly you would do with proper maintenance. She sews like a dream today, and looks great too.

Even if there is no bobbin case, it's still a really good deal for a 222. The bobbin case can be had from People like Glenn Williams in Florida for an original. Across the Ocean, I wonder if Helen Howes can help you...

Assuming it's really a 222, I would get it so fast that I'd look like a blur in motion! Great price, even if you have to spend a little to get it brought up to par. One good thing about the FWs is that they are relatively cheap to repair.

I have seen some priced at 1400. I would love to have one, but doesn't look possible unless I inherit one from someone. Grab and run.

Thanks everyone... I've hesitated (maybe too long!!) because I can't really afford it at the moment - so maybe I've missed out. I need to call her tomorrow. Sounds like it would be a great investment even if I have to stretch to grab it if I can. Here are some pics that show the condition, just to tide us all over in the meantime ...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]415018[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]415017[/ATTACH]

frudemoo, I couldn't really afford Eliza either, but I'm still really glad I have her. :) In the end, I took in a few more repair jobs (computer and sewing machine) and paid her adoption fee.

ETA, yes, it's a 222. Which I'm sure you knew. :)

Me too........I'd grab it so fast even if I had to get a second mortgage :shock:

What are your favourite things about Eliza? (beautiful name, BTW - I just called my Necchi "Barbarella" because she was as dirty as a barbecue!)

Well....if you do decide to go for it, I think it would be a worthwhile investment. From the pics, there isn't a hint of corrosion or rust - even on the case latches. As a fellow Aussie...and knowing how expensive machines are here I'd be well tempted to grab it....beans on toast is pretty nutritious:)

I love the sound of her. It's a little different than the 221s. She looks like a little mini (adorable) industrial to me. The fact that I can "remove" her decals (they're all on the removable portion of the bed) and not worry as much about her. The feed dogs dropping is not that big a deal for me. I spent a lot of time with her just to get her running, as you could see from that thread, so we bonded. She's also special because she shares a birthday with my aunt, hence how she got her name. My aunt's name is Liz, or Elizabeth...

Hi everyone

I've decided to buy the machine... an early birthday present for myself! The more I have read about and seen these machines online, the more intrigued I've become. I'm really looking forward to owning one and I know I will love it.

Picking up next Wednesday!!

Please share with me some of your best featherweight acquisition stories or pics of things you've made to help me pass the time :D

Yeah!!! Congrats! You've already seen my acquisition story, the link I posted back on page 2. I think you'll love it (her?) Happy early birthday!

Congrats... Please post again after you pick her up!! We want to see more pictures!

Glad you are getting it- I'd been Hoping you would! I just got a good deal on a white 221- $150 with case, picking it up tomorrow am. Some paint loss on the front edge, but the case looks good. They go for $350 plus here (upstate NY). And I'm getting a 3 drawer Howe treadle base this weekend- no machine, but I'm saving it from being made into a table! Don't know if it has the bobbin winder.

Thanks! I really didn't think I would, so it's turned out to be a lovely surprise! That sounds exciting! I love the look of the white FW's. What will you do about the paint loss (if anything)? My 27-2 has that along the front edge as well and I guess I've wondered if it's a bit rough for sewing, although I'm not sure how to easily smooth it out without stripping and repainting.

I just accept the paint loss on the front edge- it's not rough and is part of the machine's history. I'd make a mess if I tried to touch it up. You could start a new post requesting advice on smoothing out rough paint and I'm sure someone will tell you how to sand or touch it up. I got the white FW today and it sews beautifully, but needs some oiling. No attachments, but they are fairly easy to come by, or I can use a snap on foot adapter and feet I already have.
Looking forward to seeing your new machine!

Hi all - I have brought her home. Uploaded pics in the Sewing Machine Shop http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post6119272 .... I am smitten, she is so much more lovely than I ever imagined!!

Thank you for the pictures. Your machine is gorgeous! I hope you will have many years of happiness with your rare beauty. How is the featherweight market in your part of the world? Are they difficult to find? Do you have passionate collectors as in the US? I was never under their spell until this year. I'd collected a few and no problem selling them when I needed funds. But- I now have 3 white ones and 1 black one, and share them with friends when we get together. They do make a beautiful stitch!

Thanks Monroe! I do too :)
I've just started following them in Australia to be honest, but I'd have to say that the culture is quite different (generally and around sewing machines too). For example, a 222K auction just ended on eBay for a machine in NSW - it sold for $256 with 20 bids. A dusty one with no reserve, similar to what I bought.

I bought this particular machine from a woman who was selling it on behalf of a friend of her mother (elderly, just gone into a home). She only knew that the machine was worth something from looking online; but despite her research, I think she still had a limited appreciation of the potential value of the machine ... It was still "just a sewing machine", if you know what I mean. I think most people would in Australia would be genuinely shocked by the idea of an old sewing machine fetching $900 - $1200. Here they seem to sell between $400-600 (if presented nicely as a collectors item), or you could get a dusty old one from someone who has no idea what it's worth if you're prepared to wait ;) It's also worth noting that the lady I bought this 222K from had listed it on eBay TWICE without selling it at around the $300 mark... so that has to mean something. But there are also nutters trying to sell old Singer treadles for $500, same as anywhere else. It would be very interesting to know where they all end up, and what kind of money eventually changed hands.

But I was discussing the cultural differences with ManicMike the other day ... I think Aussies are slower to be fanatical about anything as it's much more culturally acceptable to be 'low key' or 'easy going' about things here, but there are obviously still collectors out there. There are also just less people here in general, so it's hard to say whether that accounts for the difference in demand for things. There are certainly a lot of old machines going to the tip or left to corrode/rot because nobody cares or would even think that anybody else might care (it seems that Mike and I are singlehandedly trying to rescue them all!! - LOL).

It's nice to know I could re-sell my 222K in the future with a properly worded ad - perhaps even overseas - to another collector or appreciative sewer. But for now, it's hard to imagine ever parting with her!

It sounds like your market is similar to ours. Ebay can go either way. I find that a really well written ad will get you more than an auction for a "Sewing machine - Black - Singer".

While I could sell Eliza if I found myself in a pinch, I don't think she'd be the first to go. ;)

Just flicked over to your pics and she's a beauty. Maybe all the mystery gunk protected her from too much harm. Well bought!