Got a free 66-18 today
 

Last week my wife signed up for "Freecycle" here in IL. She was poking around looking for chairs when she saw an add for a free Singer sewing machine. Some rust, bad or missing cords, don't have the add handy, attachments, instruction manuals and needles.
OK, we emailed her. Nothing .... hmmmm
Emailed her again a couple days later when we saw her second edited add. This time she responded. Seems she has had two people contact her ahead of us. Wife said, if they don't take it call me on my cell phone.

Late Sunday she calls and said they didn't take it, it's on the front porch come and get it. Wife got her address and said we'll be there tomorrow morning. Asked her if she knew what model it was. Nope, neither her nor her husband had enough foresight to read the model # off of the manuals. All they new was that it was an old black machine from the 50s. OK, no matter.

So off we go this morning hoping that it was a model we didn't have, but knowing what ever it was it would be coming home with us.

The machine is a 66-18, with the black crinkle finish. This one make three.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ger66-183a.jpg

It is complete. Motor, belt, controller, plug, presser foot, needle, even has the slide plate :) . The rust is minimal and will clean up easily. The over all condition of the machine is fair, but that will upgrade to very good after a thorough cleaning and oiling.

It came with a complete buttonholler in the green square plastic box, all cams, feed dog cover plate, and the instructions are there.
A complete box of attachments, some of them black side finish and a few needles.

The best part is the two manuals. A 66-16 and a 66-18 both in nearly pristine condition. Those two little books made the whole trip worth while. The machine and accessories just added the icing to the cake.

If this one sews as good as I believe it will I just might put it back in one of my cabinets.

Joe

Nice save Joe! It was meant to come home with you...


Diannia

Lucky Dawg! I must look for Freecycle in my area.

Yea! That is the machine I learned to sew on when 10 years old. We had the button hole attachment but no other attachments. It was in a cabinet with a matching stool. I wish I had the foresight to not let mom sell it at a garage sale 15+ years ago but I didn't know I would want it someday. That machine was the best, it would sew though anything I put in front of it (including my finger one time). I'd pop it out of the cabinet to lighten the cabinet load and then drag it to my apartments to sew and then return it to mom. I put it in the back of a pickup once and the dust, dirt, and sand blew all over it but it sewed just as good as ever. What a great machine - AND FREE!!!! Great score.

They sew really nicely. Good luck with it. Show it to us once it's cleaned up!

DanofNJ,

Will do. I've got it 90% finished now. Replaced the power and foot controller cords, and have the rusted parts mostly cleaned. And it's all oiled up and running nicely. Just need to put it in a case and get the presser foot out of the Evapo-Rust, thread it up and see what happens.

Joe

Caroline,

The machine under that cover is the 201-2. The treadle cover is kind of a jelly roll with mostly cat prints and the other one is a denim and fleece quilted cover.

Joe

I'm so glad it found such a good home and care taker. It doesn't look too bad as is. Please show us a picture of it when you are finished fixing it up.

Congrats! I hope you will enjoy it!

Congratulations! Have fun getting it ready for the picture show..:thumbup:

Well here she is, all cleaned up and ready for her coming out.

Meet Gertrude:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...rcleaningb.jpg
On the way to pick up the machine the name Gertrude popped into my wife's mind. So she named this machine; Gertrude.

And one with most of her accessories. A lady always has to have her accessories ... right:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...rcleaninga.jpg

Here is some stitching I did with her:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...rcleaningc.jpg
The top and bobbin tension is heavier than I like but my wife pronounced it perfect so I'm not gonna change it.

And here is a bit of a tip of those of you that use Evapo-Rust to clean off rusty parts.
Many of Gertrude's parts and accessories are black side. Here is what happens if you leave a black side part in Evapo-Rust over night:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...rcleaningd.jpg
The fabric guide in the middle was as black as the screwdriver and adjustable hemmer when it went into the E-R. It had some rust on it where it was screwed to the bed and some stinky rodent did a naughty on it.
But now it's devoid of finish. Black side is as far as I can tell a heavy duty chemical bluing like they put on guns.
Basically a controlled oxidation ... or in other words ... a controlled rust.

If you dunk a black side part, don't leave it in for long.

Joe

looks really sharp

nice machine.. gertrude cleaned up nice.. she is a beauty.. thank you for sharing..:thumbup:

Joe, I like the godzilla finish on the 66 I have a 128 black side with this finish and really like it. My wife thinks its ugly but I just like the looks of the godzilla finish. I am partial to any 66 it is my go to machine(grandma's 66-1)

Skip

Hi Joe, Gretude cleaned up nicely, what did you clean the body with? I have stayed away from the godzilla finish, after seeing how nicely your machine cleaned up i will have to rethink that.
Anamaria

Oil and cotton balls. That's all I used on Gertrude and Mrs. Crinkle. Both were filthy and cleaned up really nice.

Joe

Wow! that is amazing Joe! Wish we were neighbors! I'd get our knowledge up close and personal on my 'new' find!
;0)

Wow, Joe, Gertrude is a real beauty after you worked your magic on her.

Think I'll check out my local freecycle site later, might be a treasure like yours waiting there for me. May in Jersey

Aw! She's beautiful! (big smile)

Lucky you!