Does anyone have a Singer 101?
 

I have a chance to go look at a Singer 101 and I'd like to know what to be watching out for. I know it has a knee controller, made in 1923 and I was told that it works. I just can't find out much about it ... no manual , etc. Do they take a regular needle?, bobbin? I assume they don't do reverse. Do the feed dogs drop? So, do any of you have one of these? I assume they are domestic and not industrial. Do they have some features you especially like? don't like? Inquiring minds want to know. ... and thanks.

ISMACS has a lot of information on the 101 here:
http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...s-100-199.html

Hope this helps,

Joe

Thanks Joe. The ismacs site says, 'automatic lubrication'. What does that mean? And is there something special about a potted motor?

Not sure about the "automatic lubrication" part. The potted motor is nice because it is mounted directly to the head and drives the hand wheel directly through gears. No belts, no slipping.
The only problem with the potted motors is if they need rewired it's a bit more difficult. I've never done one so I have no idea of what's entailed.

Joe

Thanks Caroline. Could you direct me to your thread? I'm considering buying this 101 and I can use all the info I can find.

Here you go Nanna
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t188341.html

Oh Caroline.... thanks for the info on your thread. Now I'm getting excited to go see this machine. It looks pretty good in the picture I was sent by the seller....pretty much an older sister to the one you have. I will have to get the instruction manual and check out everything. It will probably need a good oil bath and who knows what else. But it sounds like the 101 isn't that common.

Hi Nanna, the 101 was Singer's then top-of-the-line machine, and their first with a direct-drive, or "potted" motor. That means it has no belt; the motor drives the shaft directly via gear.

However, I would almost always pass on a 101, even if one were offered to me for free. Here's why: The model 101 is from the 1920s. That's nearly 100 years ago, and the chances of the wiring being intact are virtually nil. Which means the machine will need to be rewired.

Even if by some miracle the machine had been stored for 90 years in a perfectly climate-controlled environment, and the wiring was perfect, I'd still need to disassemble the machine and open up the motor to look at the wiring and figure out that it was okay. And that's a lot of work.

If your priority is historical restoration and renovation, the 101 might make a good addition to your collection, for the sake of being comprehensive. If your priority is to sew, you might want to think twice (unless you're willing to disassemble, inspect and re-wire, or pay someone to do the same).