Help identifying old Singer
 

I've tried using the website https://www.sandman-collectibles.com...achines.htm#36 but I can't quite match it to the result as it gives me an electric machine and this one is clearly hand-cranked.

I don't actually have the machine in my possession but I'm considering buying it. These are the seller's pictures. I can only include 5 pictures so I have left the remaining pictures as links which you can click to view.

https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/7Nd3g2fa38qBWbB/preview
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/dkEPMf3yJnJKGtQ/preview
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/aMyoe2pPTeXAgbH/preview
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/DW4k8Jcy8bJ73r9/preview
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/krWaPcrjzqmH5iE/preview

More images:
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/7fxeeCRFEnqkxwk/preview
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/5Adipa2Fe7BnQ45/preview
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/QzWaZgS67dia8xR/preview
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/Q8QmR8C56jsazLB/preview

Thank you!

Model 66 made in 1937. There were 15,000 made at that time so it's not that rare. The handcrank is a bonus! Lucky you!

Info was found here:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mac...l-numbers.html

It's a great little portable size with a beautiful case. I'd buy it.

Thank you so much for the fast response! I think I will buy it :)

Actually, I believe it is a 99K which is 3/4 size of the 99. I agree with the bonus of being a hand crank. Early machines were either a hand crank or treadle. Later the options included a motor version. From what I can make out of the serial number it looks like the serial number was allocated June 11, 1937. https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mac...l-numbers.html If you notice the decals kind of go over the bump leading to the nose of the machine. Here is another site that has lots of other Singer machines, but look for hammerhead and notice it is for 99. http://vssmb.blogspot.com/2011/08/vi...ingers_16.html

The only Class 99k with hand crank was 99K2 listed at https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mac...sses-1-99.html but it has small tension discs. I looked at some other parts manuals and there are hand cranks for some of the other 99Ks. I couldn't find a parts list for 99K2.

Have fun with it.

ETA - The K after the 99 just means that it was made at the Kilbowie plant in Scotland.

Thank you! The 66 and 99 look very similar from what I can see though I suppose if they were standing side by side you'd be able to tell by the size. Why does the serial number indicate a 66 if it's a 99? Or could it be that although it looks like a EB36 the serial number is actually EB86? That would put it in the 99 class according to that serial number chart and it's not the clearest picture.

Could be, it is hard to tell, especially from a picture what the serial number actually is. Sometimes even with it in front of you it is sometimes hard to read the serial number. On rare occasions there are some mistakes in the serial numbers as to the actual model of the machine. But because of the shape of the head and the decals position, it is a 99K.

I can't see the serial but it sure looks like a 99 to me.

BUT - that hand crank looks like the cheap repro crank. If it is, it's not worth a plug nickel. Some will disagree about the quality.

If it is a reproduction they did a great deal of work to get matching decals on it. Most of the reproductions ones that I've seen have Chinese symbols on them. Seems like sometime back they had some without any gold.

If you look at https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/aMyoe2pPTeXAgbH/preview the belt guard and the hand crank have the same decals.

Another reason I believe is original hand crank is the wooden handle instead of plastic. Granted it is possible that someone could have managed to find decals to match and replace the plastic handle, but I sincerely doubt that is the case with this machine.

I could be wrong. I'll admit it was a quick glance and I wanted to be sure the buyer knew to check before forking over a lot of money for $20 amazon junk. The difference in value is significant.

The handle itself does seem to have patina.

Thank you very much for the help. I picked it up today. The serial number was EB39 which matches to 99K :)

https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/ciY9Wk8AwenyRgj/preview

The crank looks legitimate to me but admittedly I don't know a lot about it. It's my first machine.
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/XYRrFGSDCMzwdQR/preview
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/fz5aJ4err3mt9jg/preview

I have a lot to learn now. I will try to clean and oil it, and try my first stitches. Thanks again!

With those last 2 pictures, I'll withdraw my condemnation of it and replace it with envy. I really didn't want to see a new sewing machine collector get burned by a repro crank.

Did you get a manual? There are 3 manuals at https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mac...e-manuals.html but 2 of them have different stitch length regulators. Yours is like the one in the 99-13. There are oiling instructions in the manual. Basically oil where metal moves against metal.

You want to clean the machine head with sewing machine oil as other products are likely to ruin the decals. Only use sewing machine oil, not 3-in-1 or WD-40. Also some good resources/videos can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...v-t167789.html

Have fun.

Thank you so much for all the helpful links 🙏

I have placed an order for sewing machine oil along with some other supplies and will be trying it out this week.

I've cleaned and oiled it and tried it out, and seems to be working well to my untrained eye. I spent some time reading the manual, fiddling with the tension on the bobbin case and the thread tension plates and the stitches look OK to me. There's quite a few people selling the tables with the pedal near me, which I'm curious about because I'm a beginner and would like to free my right hand. This one wouldn't be able to fit into one of those would it? Since it's a 3/4 size.

I'm perfectly fine learning to deal with the hand crank though :)

There were cabinets made for the 3/4 sized machines, but few and far between. Another alternative would get a motor with the bracket and a motor cord block with a foot controller. However, more than likely the cover would not fit over the motor. Even if it does, one would need to protect the bed of the machine from the foot controller as they well scratch the bed as that is the only place it will fit.

That's interesting, thanks. Not really interested in a motor so I'll be trying my best with the hand crank.

Just one more thing, my stitches at the moment look like this. They look a little wobbly (they are set pretty close together in this case too) but is there something wrong with them, do you think I need to make adjustments to the tension?
https://cloud.tevildo.top/s/f2MWTJHw69WEAX5/preview

My 99K. I didn't know the cabinets were rare. This one was donated to me.

The wavy stitch is caused by the thread size not matching the needle size. If you look at where the stitch interlocks, what we call "the bald head", those points do line up.

Thread, needle, and needle point, ​​​​should match the weight of the fabric being sewn. For instance, mending cotton denim, a size 16 needle, which has a larger eye, and accepts a heavier (thicker) thread, universal tip. Stretch denim, a size 14 ballpoint needle. Sewing a quilt of cotton? A size 11 or 12 needle, sharp tip. Constructing a tailored dress shirt? Perhaps a size 10, topstitched with a size 8, and a fine thread.I

Needles become full with use. Change out every 6-8 hours of sewing. Oiling you machine should be done every 8 hours of sewing, too. Did you find the oil ports on the hand crank?

Thank you so much for explaining it to me. I'm glad it's not something wrong with the machine. I will have to go out to get more varieties of thread, this is the only one I had around to test with.

Yes I found the oil ports in the hand crank thanks to the helpful videos at How to Clean Up and use a vintage sewing machine - videos by Muv and Fav - Quiltingboard Forums

Sorry, I was without internet and couldn't reply. A couple of links that may explain it -- https://web.archive.org/web/20110818...-about-it.aspx
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...d-t255547.html
There is a more technical thread on another board entitled "My 201k is sewing like a zig zag machine!" but you have to join the forum it is on to see the pictures.

Thank you :) Once I used regular thread the stitches came out perfect.