206k ... Now I've done it!
 

I'll try to keep this short....

Saturday, we bought a computer desk at Goodwill but we couldn't take it with us, so they put a SOLD sign on it and I went to pick it up today and it was gone! She said the only thing she could do is give me store credit, which I didn't want. I saw 2 lovely sewing machine cabinets, so I said, "can I get one of those instead?"

I ended up with a Singer 206K. I didn't even test it until I got it home tonight. She's filthy. I turned it on and pushed the knee-thing and it works, but it seems slow and there was a weird smell.

So I can clean her up and put her in my living room as a decorative piece, or try to sell it as the same. The cabinet is a very nice cabinet and she will be pretty once she's cleaned and oiled. However, now that I've had a chance to do some homework, I don't want to deal with trying to sew with her and the weird smell is a "motor" smell, I don't know how else to describe it. I don't know anything about sewing machine motors, I don't know if it's because she has gunk in the gears or the motor is about shot.

Maybe I should have taken store credit. Pics after I get her cleaned.

You realize this machine takes a specialty needle that usually can only be found online, right? You'll need to buy 206x13 needles, so don't break the one you have in it if you're planning on selling it.

yeah, that's one of the reasons I'm not going to try sewing with it :(

But, if you are looking to sell it, you'll need to know if it's working and sewing correctly.

Oil it up and run it. More than likely the motor smell will go away after a bit.

And you can substitute 16x231 round shank needles for the 206x13s.

Sew-Classic sells 206x13s as does other sources. They are not overly common, but they can be had.
We have a 319K to keep in needles and we've done some checking and buying.

Joe

They give away your table but won't refund you??!

no, she offered me store credit

GW is like the tax man. Right, wrong or otherwise when they get your money they ain't gonna give it back.

Joe

LOL! That's so true! The thing is, we really needed that desk and now we have to find another one. I knew I'd lose any store credit paper slip they gave me, so I knew I had to "grab a bargain" before I left (not to mention that I was on my lunch and in a hurry and didn't want to "come back when so-and-so was working") and I didn't have my receipt, so I'm not even sure they knew how much I paid for the desk.

Here is a link to more info on QB:http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...c-t162425.html if it is like the one here with out the typewriter keys, there is a lot of good, practical information. It should be a very nice machine fixed up. You would be surprised how much you would like it and how simple it really is. It will do everything a new machine you can buy at WM except it will last 50 years or more longer. You are welcome to PM the major contributors on there if you have any questions. I also have one like yours with the godzilla finish. It was filthy. It cleaned up and then I tested it - it sews just fine. The cords need to be replaced. Check to see if there are any cracks or bare wires. Is the smell coming from the motor or the machine? Check the machine inside and out for lint, dried up oil and anything else might be there. The motor just needs to be used unless the wires are broken up. It would be VERY easy to put a new motor and new wires on it - there are just a couple screws. You can get what you need from sew-classic.com - I showed cleaning out grease pots on the above thread - be careful if you take apart the needle holder.