Singer 206K, good, bad, indifferent?
 

The 206 is new to me. I understand it was produced for only a very few years. It takes other than a common needle. I'm interested in forum member's thoughts and experiences.

Ron,

The Singer 206K is my Holy Grail of sewing machines at this time. From what I've read it was Singers first domestic ZZ machine. Was made in both aluminum and cast iron. It does take a 206-13 needle and those are still available from Schmetz as well as Organ.

I would take one in a heartbeat. But so far I've not found one I could get at the time I saw it.

If the machine is in good condition, with a reasonable price, I wouldn't hesitate buying it.

Joe

I bought one of those Singer 206 machines. It was a one owner. The lady used it for everything and saw no reason to 'upgrade' to a plastic wonder. It was sold because her son didn't know about the needles so he put in a regular needle and wondered why it didn't sew. The needles are not too hard to find. From working on that machine I can see why that lady was very happy with that machine. I think it is a very, very, nice, simple, well built sewing machine anybody should be proud to own. My 206 came in a wonderful cabinet, too. The 306 is a good machine, too.

Thanks, Miriam. You've made my day. On a whim I bid on one and got the bid. Internet searching is giving me buyer's remorse, but all cons are irrelevant to me. From perusing the on line manual it appears to be a study machine performing straight and zig-zag stitching. Study, straight and zz stitching is all I need. Again, thanks, I value your judgement.

Ron give it a good going over when you get it. Those were built to last. Even it if seems rusted and worn out it most likely can be made to work. The 206, 306 and 319 and now we see a 320! Info mainly on the 319 which may be of use for you: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...c-t162425.html I was learning a lot from that machine and all the real experts have chimed in with good info! I'm, sure if you dig you can find a lot more info on line. You want to make sure the timing is set for the correct needles. If it works with the correct needles just get the correct needles. I know some people attempt to change them over but I don't think you would be happy.

I bought mine a few months ago and have not tried to use her. She is in pristine condition in a beautiful cherry cabinet with chair. Original. Got her for $60.

I have a 206 and 306, very similar, unique needles, beautiful stitch and very powerful, a joy to use.

I know that this is an old thread but I am trying to find out more about the model 206k. I was just given a 206k to try and get it running, for my cousin.

I have never seen this machine before and the zig zag apparatus had me stumped until I did a little searching about it.

The whole machine is locked up tight, which won't be a problem but the zig zagger is also frozen. I'm thinking of removing it, to work on it off the machine, but nervous about really messing it up...lol

Anyway, I'm happy to read that some of you love this model.

cabbagepatchkid,

Oil and lots of it. Lay it on it's side, on it's end, let the oil move all around. I don't suggest removing the ZZ mechanism if you aren't familiar with it. (I'm not). With lots of soaking it should loosen up.

Joe

I'd be thinking twice about removing the ZZ mechanism, if it's anything like the 306 and 319. The yahoo group have the service manual in their files, which would be invaluable to you.
In my experience, the end plate is usually the cause of a locked up machine. Soak the oil in, little rocking here and there over a week or so and you should have her freed up.
Regarding the needles, the 306, 319 and 320s can all be easily modified to fit normal needles. A friend of mine wrote a good description of the modification to the bobbin case of the later models. http://andrewcaddle.com/wordpress/si...ndard-needles/ He modified one and tested it on his 306Ks and 320K at full speed with a standard 15x1 needle through eight layers of denim (it's all that would fit) and the needle did not strike the bobbin. It was also a very clean stitch.
My 206K10 is the industrial version and doesn't have a table, so it's been relegated to the back of the shed for the past year. When I get to it I'll be having a look to see if the cases are the same and if so it will be modified too.