Help to Identify Singer
 

Tonite we donated to a great cause. On one of the 911 Flights that flew into the WTC were a group of employees from TJX (TJ Maxx Corp Office) here in MA. One of the husbands of the deceased and his new wife decided to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy in NY. They are holding a huge garage sale this weekend at the local HS which was advertised heavily. When I read it in the local newspaper, I decided to drop off some items, one of which is a sofa from my living room. We recently converted my LR to my sewing room and had extra furniture in great condition. So we dropped it off tonite and on the way out sat an adorable sewing machine. At first I thought it was a featherweight. It is 3/4 size. So I bought it making a nice donation. It is in excellent condition and looks brand new. I still can't find any dust or dirt even on the attachments. It came with an adorable small cabinet, attachments and a button hole attachment. I checked the serial number and the two digit letters are JD which on the Singer site indicates 1954. It is stamped Simanco-made in Canada. I know it's not a featherweight, by the weight alone. Does anyone have any info on this era machine?

No info from me. It's really cute!

It looks like a 185 to me! It's precious!

I agree that it looks like a 185. I believe the innards are the same as the 99, which is a 3/4 size machine. Yes, they are heavy.

I found the tag that indicates it is a 185J. I'll set it up and try it tomorrow.

It is a 185. I keep my set up in the dining room all the time for quick sewing. Love that little thing, it is a keeper. So sturdy and sews a fine line. It just does a straight stitch but I have others that do a variety of things. Hope you enjoy yours.

Hi Camille,
That's a lovely 185. I have one in my wishlist!


Here's a link to a threading diagram if you need reference.

http://www.sewusa.com/Threading_Diag...ng_diagram.htm


Clare

I don't believe I've seen one in such great condition - it really looks brand new. Enjoy!!

Thanks Claire for the link. I was wondering how to thread this little gem.

I still can't believe the condition of her. And the attachments are also in perfect shape. There is even a little bottle of Singer oil included. Even the little inspection paper inside the box of attachments is in perfect condition. It's almost scary how all this has been perfectly preserved for over 50 years.

The model number is stamped between the top two screws of the stitch length lever. It is a 185 but I think it's a K not A J. We have one that looks exactly like it and ours is a K.

In reality it's a Singer 99 in a different body.

To thread it:
Take the thread off the spool, to the left then around the little hook shaped thread guide.
Down to the top tension ( make sure the presser foot lever is up ) then around the bottom from right to left.
Then up and over the spring and back down to the left then under the shiny hook.
From the hook up to the thread take up lever
Through the hole in the take up lever from right to left
Through the two guides on the face plate, down to the needle
Through the needle from left to right.

Hope that makes sense.

Here's ours:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...cs/Front-4.jpg
I've cleaned and lubed it and put a new spool peg on it since this picture was taken.

Joe

Yep I love mine. My case is in sad shape but the machine is as cute as can be and is quite the trooper for smaller work. One of my kids will be using this one primarily to sew when we get to that lesson

It's definitely a J, stamped right where you said it should be. I'm so thrilled. Going to see how she purrs right now. Dh is setting it up for me.

Now she purrs like a kitten. Had to clean out the bobbin area. Looked like they were sewing with red wool. It was imbedded in the bobbin area. Got it out after an hour of patience. Had to adjust the bobbin tension and now she works just fine.

Just a note that Singer used something that looked like red wool for oil wicks that are supposed to be there :) May not be an issue here but just thought I'd mention it.

Oh no...would the red wool oil wick be tucked in a spring in the bobbin area?

Yep. Hopefully these links will work for pictures of how to replace it and what it looks like in the end (tucked inside of the spring.)
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...23193023uFCPCR

http://mysewingmachineobsession.blog...singer-66.html

Thank you sew much. I appreciate your response. Guess I did a bad thing. Actually, my bobbin case is squeaky clean. I can't believe the condition of my machine in comparison to the photos of the link above. The red felt wick was not long, evidently worn. I will replace it and oil it up well. Actually, the attachment case has a small tube of oil. I'm assuming it too is original. I'm loving my little baby more and more. I also have another old Singer that we picked up at a car flea market for $10. I still haven't tried that one. After the holidays, I will pay more attention to these machines and give them a good spa treatment. Thanks again.