1912 Singer Model 66
 

Good afternoon all,

Complete noob here, but we have an old model 66 and I am looking for something to hobby upholstery with. I see some add-on walking feet that would help, though some working thickness space is lost. I obviously will need to back tack some, and wondered if I could do that by hand (with a handle on the machine)? All comments appreciated. My wife also has an early 50s model 99 that was her mothers. Thank you.

Chris

PS - I see the serial number assigned in early 1912 and another batch of 50,000 serial numbers were assigned to the model 66 later that year (August I believe). Does that indicate production in 1912??

You can not go in reverse with a 66, the thread will break. You can sew a few stitches, stop and lift up the presser foot to move the fabric back to the beginning of the seam then start stitching again. I'm not sure if I would try that with a walking foot. If I remember correctly you can't sew in reverse with a walking foot. If your machine has the back clamp feet, I don't think you will find a walking foot.

The 99 is the 66's little sister, same machine but the 99 is the portable version. If you measure the distance from the needle to the pillar there is less room on the 99.

You have to keep in mind that both are domestic models not industrials. They will do lots of heavy work but there is a limit.

Hope this makes sense and welcome to the QB!

pennycandy,

Thank you for the reply. Do the 66-16 and 66-18 have back tack features? I believe I will try to find a reasonable industrial walking foot machine. I do enjoy the feel of these old machines and may clean up/service the two we have.

Chris

Yes the 66-16 and 66-18 have a back tack. I tend to forget about those two models. By all means do clean up the 66 and 99. They will serve you well for many tasks.

I've done a couple of small upholstery projects with my domestics and it can be a struggle with thick seams. I think you will be happier with an industrial with a walking foot for upholstery work. Watch out for your fingers with a walking foot, you quickly learn how powerful the industrials are. It will bring tears to your eyes.

I do have a 66-16 and 66-18 and one other 66 which I believe is a 66-6. The 66-16 and 66-18 both have reverse, but the other one is from 1929 and does not have a reverse. I believe the 66-8 also has a reverse.

A good site for further info can be found at http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...sses-1-99.html


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Thank you much for the replies. Does anyone here have knowledge or experience with Nick-O sewing out of Herculaneum, MO? They have another location a little further east as well and appear to have a huge selection of all types of sewing machines. It would be quite a drive, but I have family in St.Louis and thought they could enlighten me some on the right machine.

Chris

Chris, from my limited glances, it appears they specialize in Industrials. That may be what you need. Industrials are made for specific purposes. Going fast is huge. Choosing one that will do your fabric may be harder to determine. Take some swatches of what you want to sew if you go.

This one is made for sewing up feed bags. But I had to get it just because it was weird.

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