Finding cabinets for a vintage machine
 

I know the cabinet I got with my Singer 201 is original to it, but I need something that has more storage for attachments and things. I don't have a craft room so any time I need something, I'd be running into another room because this cabinet has one tiny drawer. So I'll be selling the cabinet and getting a different one.

I love the art deco one, but those are so incredibly rare to find here. I'll probably be finding a cabinet at the thrift store.
Do cabinets for machines like Kenmore and other brands fit my Singer? Are they all a standard size?

That is a good question and by coincidence I just measured my 2 Kenmore machines yesterday. They are both cabinet models and both different so these measurements will let you know if certain Kenmore cabinets are even an option.

The bed size of my 117.841 is 17 x 7 3/8. That machine has square corners so the cabinet does too.
The bed size of my 117.740 is 15 x 7. That machine has rounded corners so the cabinet does too.

I'd recommend that you measure your machine and take a tape measure with you when you are cabinet shopping.

Can you post the measurements of your Singer? I'd be curious what they are. I only have my Kenmores.

If it's a later made Japanese machine, usually they are the same as Singer. Kenmore (sears) liked to be different, and often went with something so that you could not use aftermarket items with what they sold.

older machines (pre WW2) often times the answer is no - they were way more brand specific. And even if the spacing is the same, the hinge pins are not. Some are too long, some are too fat, some are more square shaped, and some are round. Some require set screws and some do not. Now if you are creative, you can make just about any machine fit in any cabinet.

Luckily Singer cabinets turn up on a regular basis, there are usually one or two available at any time when searching local web sites or thrift stores. Here they tend to have the original machine still in place, cabinets only turns up too, but not as often. If you can invest a bit of time, money and patience I'm sure an art deco cabinet will turn up too. At a good price you might afford an in-between cabinet if you can't cope with the one you already have for the time being. My suggestion is to keep you eyes open for a suitable Singer cabinet, and wait it out ;- )

Does anyone know if a 201 would fit in a desk that a Singer Touch and Sew Zigzag 600E was in?

It has a black space bar that goes with it which the cord goes through.The hole for the machine measures 16 5/8'' X 7 1/8'' deep with the black spacer bar. Without the black spacer bar it measures 14 7/8'' X 7 1/8''.

Your singer would possibly fit into both of these openings - provided the wider one has a big enough lip so the machine does not fall through.

Newer machines often will fit into the space the older machine + lift fit into. The main hting - the spacing for the hinges is the same for most Singers. And since the hinges are what support the back side of the machine, you do need them even if you don't intend to tip the machine down to store.

I know a 201 will fit into a cabinet that a 400 and 500 series Singer fits in, but on a lot of newer Singers, they went into cabinets that had a board the machine sat on. However those machines have a built in base so they will sit on their own. If they tip, there was a clamp to hold the machine base to the board, and the board tips, there are no hinges. So a 201 will fit - if you make a base for it to sit on.

You really need to eyeball the specific cabinet to know if it will fit if it is not an older Singer cabinet. Sometiems you may need to modify an older cabinet as the back end of the 201 extends farther because of the potted motor. I had one and the flywheel was hitting the support for the front flap and would not lower into the cabinet. On others, I've had to change where the back support block is, this is what the machine rests against when fully lowered. Some cabinets have them, some do not.

Gosh, this is all way more confusing than I thought. I'm glad I'm happy with my current cabinets and hope they never break!

Understand - I found out a lot of interesting things when I started swapping my machines around. Basically, the older ones with external motors are pretty interchangeable, but when Singer went to potted and internal motors, things changed a bit.

I've got a shed full of "extra" cabinets now.l I love them but only have so much room.

Just sent you a PM

If you sent the PM to me, I didn't get it.

It's strange that a friend called the other day and said he had something for me. I met with him and he gave me his grandmothers sewing machine. His mom is in her 80's and has not sewn in the past 40 or so years and knowing that I had a few machines thought I would be interested in putting it in my collection. Weather was nasty and cold so we hurriedly loaded it into my Santa Fe and headed for home. Well what I now have is a singer 201-2 in an original model 65 cabinet. I am in the process of cleaning up the old girl since she has not seen any oil/grease in years. The cabinet is in good shape and according to the brochure it also serves as a desk. When the weather improves, I will refinish the cabinet and replace the head. After a cursory cleaning and oiling, the old girl sprang to life, a little sluggish then kicking into high gear after the lube/oil kicked in. I don't have a 201 and am glad to add it to my collection. This machine kicks butt in speed, quietness and vibration. I am delighted to add it to the stable.:thumbup:

Soman2
TOR

I'm capable of building my own cabinet. First choice would be to find the Singer art deco cabinet.

I did some thrift store shopping, learned that the thrift stores around here rarely get any sewing cabinets. But one had a kenmore cabinet/desk that's probably from the '70's. I had forgotten a tape measure so I didn't buy it. It wasn't one I fell in love with either so I'm probably going to pass on it. I'd like drawers but this one had a door made to look like drawers which opens revealing a big gaping hole to store stuff in. It didn't tickle my fancy so I passed. I hope that doesn't nip me in the butt later.

Maybe an estate sale would have one? Or you wait for garage sale season. Though it might be too must of a hassle to locate one those ways.

Sammie your 201 most likely won't fit in a Kenmore cabinet. It would have to to be one of the rare Kenmores that have the same bed size as Singer machines. Most Kenmore machines have squared off corners(not the rounded corners of Singers) and different hinge spacing so you would have to make some significant modifications to make your 201 fit. I bought a Brother machine a while back that someone had monkeyed up a real pretty Kenmore cabinet to put it in and it was a sad sight to see.

Cari

Sweet! I'm not a Singer gal as you probably know but there is nothing like the feel and the quiet hum of a 201-2. If I had to give up all of my sewing machines and could only keep one, as much as it pains me to admit it my 201 might be the one I'd keep.

Cari

Thanks for the info.

I did get in touch with someone I've been trying to get in touch with over a month and had given up on. They may have what I'm looking for. I'll find out Thursday.
It could mean I'd be getting another 201-2 so I'd need to sell one of them.

Blasphemy!



:)

Yeah but I'd rather it go to someone who will use and/or maintain it. If a second one were to stay here, it'd likely be neglected.

Tom, I'll PM you if that's the case.

Yeah, I pretty much stole it. :shock:

This machine is in better cosmetic condition. Mechanically it's pretty cranky and needs some love. Born Feb 1941.

Oh that's nice. I'd be keeping that one for sure.

Cari

I am.
It's a blackie.

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It has the black head plate, black needle holder thingie, black presser foot lever, black screws for the plates, black spool plate, and a black thread spool in the bed.
Not sure if it changes the value or anything, but from what I'm being told, it's because of WWII so it's interesting history to me.