Help with identity crisis!
 

My Mom bought me this beauty MANY years ago, and I was never interested enough to even really look at it.
Things are different now, does anyone know where I start? Do I need to take it to be checked out, oiled, whatever?
I know Nothing about vintage machines.....
Thanks

You have a Singer Sphinx, probably a 66? (I'm not the best at identifying models by sight). If you look at the base you will see a serial number on a brass plate. That will give us the info to date and properly identify your machine. It's in a treadle cabinet. Can you show us photos of the cabinet? This is one of the more common Singer designs but she's still pretty! Looks like she was pretty well taken care of, too. I bet with a little cleaning and oil she'll be running in no time!

Looks like a Singer 128. If you could provide the serial number then we could nail the date. Nice machine with Vibrating Shuttle. It is a full size machine. My guess 1910-1920

Kathy,

It looks to be a Singer Model 127; full size machine, bobbin winder up high . They are fairly easy to clean and lube if they have not got a 100 years or so of old gummed up oil in and under them.

Go here to date the machine: { http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...-database.html }

Go here to get a free .pdf downloadable owners manual: { http://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals }

Bobbins are still available from Sew-Classic and I think Singer too. At least I've seen them in Singer blister packs.

Suggest Tri-Flow oil as it penetrates, cleans and lubes better than regular oil.

Joe

Joe's Right....127

Thanks everyone. Serial # is g6643959. According to chart from Joe it is a Singer 15. Mfgd in 1910. Thanks so much for all your help. I will try to get some Tri-Flow oil & see how s
he does!!!

Kathy,

You have a beautiful machine.

It is very easy to stop reading the G chart at the six number area. Your serial number has seven numbers. You will find farther down the G chart that you have a 127 from Jan 9, 1919. This machine was made in St. Jean, Quebec.

Cathy

oh you are right, my bad. Thanks Cathy! Only 25k of them were made in 1919!

Singer Model 15s or Model 15 clones have the tensioneer at the end of the machine, not on the front. I believe this is a Singer 127. I have one like it and used it to make quilts near the window when we lost electricity.

What a treasure you have!

Your Singer Model 127 with the Sphinx decals is very easy to service yourself. You don't need to pay to get it done just follow the manual on where to oil the machine. Take off the needle plate and clean the feed dogs - make sure there is no thread caught in there too. I hope you have the manual? If not you can download one free from the Singer site. That machine will sew through several layers of jeans without a problem. Just oil her up and start practicing learning how to treadle! Have fun!

Nancy

Jenn, one way to remember the difference between a Model 66 and a Model 27/127 is the bobbin. The Model 66 has a drop in ocillating hook - more like a modern drop in bobbin machine. The 27/127 has a vibrating shuttle - bullet shuttle. To simplify, the 66 has a round bobbin that drops into the bobbin case from the top -looks like a modern round bobbin. The 27/127 has a bullet shaped long bobbin that also drops in from the top. The bobbin slide plate is also a dead give away to which machine you are looking at. There are other difference, but the bobbin is the most visual.

Nancy

Does anyone know of a place where you can get parts for treadles and such machines? Information above was helpful but I want more information.

I'd try Sew Classic. She carries a lot of parts for vintage machines. Also, you can always try your local repair guy. Some of the 'old' sewing repair shops that have been in business for a very very long time have lots of vintage parts. As a last resort, there is always e-bay or a 'parts' machine.

Nancy

Hello Kathy,

Lovely machine, most definitely a 127, lucky you!

If you go to my blog and Youtube channel - links below - you will find loads of information to help you. You should be able to get your machine up and running in no time. If you aren't used to treadling, try a strip quilt first, and you will soon have something to show on the thread "Quilts made using vintage machines."