Does anyone know which Singer this is... or anything about it?
 

At first I thought it might be a 301 (same handle on top), but the round switch in the center completely throws me. Other things about it look strange to me too. I don't think I've ever seen this model before. Anyone know anything about it?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]570131[/ATTACH]

Sorry, I can't help. I know nothing about any old machines!

Do you have a model & serial #? Sometimes there is a plate on the machine (in the back or on the bottom) that gives that info. Maybe we could find it from that information.

I think I found it... Singer 319. Is this a good'un or a baddun?

Good,but I believe it takes a non-standard needle.

Some sewing machine geeks like to have one. It was Singer's first zig-zag machine, as I understand it. Those keys on the end are used to change the pattern. The black ones are more desirable than the green ones.

They do take a non-standard needle, but they aren't hard to find or particularly expensive. They are available on ebay and on some sewing machine parts sites.

I decided that I wasn't a good enough geek to deal with something that complicated, so I passed mine on.

They machines don't bring very much money, either.

bkay

It's not everybody's favorite, but it has to be a good one because I know of several who has the 319 as their favorite go to machine. It can be a bit more work to fix up a swing arm zigzagger than an old straight stitcher, especially DIY, but it's well within reach. Originally it took needle system 206x13 (easily ordered from the web) and even twin needle; some are converted to standard 130/705 needle.

You might have to make and effort when cleaning and lubricating it, there's lots of oil points, gears, levers and knobs, but with a few days of oiling, cleaning and test sewing it usually turns and shifts very well. I think the Vintage Singer Yahoo group has a couple of members who use this machine. There's some general info on this site.

Thanks for the info, everybody... and for that link, Mickey2. I've found one locally in a cabinet and the current auction price is $12.50. Tempting, even if I do need another machine like a hole in the head. :D

Without the holes in your head you could neither hear, see or breathe........

Ha! Should have said 'another' hole in the head.

Or... are you trying to talk me into buying this machine?

319s have unusual bobbins/ cases. Make sure you have them.

Lots of info on your 319 here:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...c-t162425.html
I learned a lot from that one.
Those are very fun machines.
My grandkids loved playing with the flower maker on that machine until I broke the flower maker.
Think of it as a mechanical computer.

That's a great thread, Miriam. Thank you.

I learned a lot there, too.

There was a green one up for grabs close to me a few months a go. It looked like it was hardly used and I regret I wasn't quicker, it was gone just a few hours later :- )

I have two, a green and a black in my collection of machines. They rate right up at the top for fun sewing. My green one had been converted to take a standard needle. I had the sewing machine repair man covert it back to the 206 size because it lost some of its stitch quality with the change. He argued with me on changing it back but, hey, who's paying for it??!! Then he saw what I was talking about in comparison. All information you need for oiling and greasing can be found on the internet. The only thing that in my opinion was a poor design on them is the angle you take to change the bobbin but you will get used to that. And the slide plate seems difficult to get off and on until you figure out just how to hold it. Free motion quilting is a blast on these. It's almost like you can't break a thread no matter how poorly you are at it. (That would be me. Lol) Enjoy!

Thanks for the good info. :o

Well, I went and looked at this machine today. (It's being auctioned off tomorrow night.) It looks pristine, and it moves perfectly. I tried the little zig zag key and the needlebar swung from side to side as it should. The needle is gone and there are a few scratches on the bobbin case showing someone tried to use the wrong needle. Not bad, tho. It has 2 bobbins with it and that's all.

The wiring is shot,however, and it will need a new plug and wire. I'm not sure about the wiring to the foot controller, because this machine is wired through it's cabinet to one of those little step on pedals on the inside of the cabinet base. It's probably as bad as the power wire, I'm guessing.

I need to sell off some machines, NOT accquire more (and hubby will not understand it) but I feel drawn to get this machine. Only one bid for $12.50, still. Wish me luck!

BTW: How hard is it to change the foot control wiring in a cabinet?

With out actually seeing the machine and cabinet in question I dare say not difficult, at most time consuming. There are probably schematics for full rewiring available on the web, the vintage yahoo group files, or you can draw your own from the original. The cabinets I have seen either lets the cable for foot / knee control unplug to a separate unit, or it's wired directly to the motor, but usually with a plug. The older cabinets (pre 1940s - maybe a bit later) have a porcelain speed control part in the cabinets, knee control only; the later ones usually have a socket-plug setup. Replacement bobbn cases and bobbin are available.

Sewbizgirl, the wiring is the same as any other machine, it's just the "where do the wires actually go" that's a little different. You'll most likely have to remove the drawers to see where the wire goes, and replacing it is straight forward. It sounds like it's a #42 cabinet.

Cari

The model number is under the stitch length selector.

I couldn't see it in the photo. I don't have the machine yet. Thanks for the info. It's a 319w.

See that skinny bar under the stitch regulator?? It has the 3 number on it... it tells you what model it is
I tried to blow up the pic but it got too blurry to read