Singer 306M questions
 

I bid on and won a Singer 306M. I bid on it thinking that surely someone would outbid me. Hah, it did not happen. After some internet research I learned that it uses 206x13 needles, has a very funky way of loading the bobbin and it can be noisy when sewing and Does anyone else have one? Is it worth the $15 I paid for it?:shock:

Yes, it's worth the $15. I have the 319 which is basically the same machine with different stitch abilities. I don't agree that the bobbin is loaded "funky" so I don't know what that means. Nor is my machine super noisy. It's louder than some of my machines and not as loud as others. I do think the machine is on the slow side, however. It's only like .5 amp and it does do the embroidery stitches slooow compared to my other vintage machines. It's the turtle in the race. I think those who have a noisy machine don't have the bobbin assembly finger adjusted right and/or there are other adjustments needed. It's a neat machine to have. I have to admit I don't use mine much because it doesn't FMQ well, so it's a bit limited in that regard.

We also have a 319K and my wife has used it quite a bit. It was somewhat noisy at first, but after a couple of oilings with use in between it did quiet down some. Tri-Flow works wonders there.

The needles are not that hard to get and there is a substitute if you can't find the 206-13s.
Bobbins are available as well.

It's a good machine, but they are individuals just like people.

Joe

Here is an Internet link with some good pics of the Singer 306. About half way down there is a picture of the bobbin assy. According to this site it also takes a different bobbin kind of bobbin. I will know more about it when I pick it up and do a little more research.

http://possumjimandelizabeth.com/xhtml/collect_sewing_sing306.html

Yes its well worth the $$$ , I have its sister the 306W .. its one tough machine. Mine used to be my Mom's and has seen decades of hard use ... and it keeps on running like a champ. Give it a good oiling and it should be less noisy. Do you have the owners manual to show all the places for oiling?
The bobbin .. is not loaded so funky ... but it might just be different than what you are used to. You tilt up the machine to access the bobbin. Mine is cabinet mounted and not a big deal.
Yes the needles are a shorter size than most machines. Just an FYI Shemtz does make needles for this machine. It took me awhile to find them.. but they are available.

I don't see anything strange in the pictures. Like Joe said, bobbins are easily purchased on the net. If you collect vintage machines for a while you'll find each one is made differently and has there own idiosyncrasies.

Caroline, there are several threads here about the 306 that may help you. Here's just one. I have to tilt back several of my machines to access the bobbin case. Even ones that have sliding bobbin cases can be very hard to access and I don't have large hands! :>

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t191066.html

Caroline, if you want more info. on treadling it, PM BoJangles. She treadles a 319.

So does Glenn. I have a couple of those machines. They should treadle just fine. As far as loading the bobbin into the machine, I have a table with a big hole in it - I can reach the bobbin area just fine from there and not have to use the slide plate. That table style is not real common but I have seen several.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]383227[/ATTACH]

I suppose you could turn any table with a front door cover into a table with a hand hole if you have a good saw and good aim...

306M update
 

Quote:

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Originally Posted by miriam (Post 5730614)

So does Glenn.

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So does CD.

CD in Oklahoma

Caroline, I have my 319w in treadle and it is my go to machine. I do a lot of piecing with mine, mending, whatever needs to be done because that machine is always out and ready to go! The 319 is a really easy machine to work with. The only difference between the 319 and your 306 is the stitches. The 319 has some built in cam stitches, where your 306 does not. Otherwise they are the same machine as Candace said. The 'L' bobbins are available from Sew Classic as are the needles - I am pretty sure that is where I got mine![ATTACH=CONFIG]383246[/ATTACH]

Nancy

CD, did you make the top for that treadle? It looks like what I need so I could switch heads out depending on which machine I want to use!

Nancy

I call the stand my “MUTT” (Multi-Use Treadle Top). I’ve painted the irons black with gold highlights since that photo was taken. It had some paint skinned off of the lower part of all four legs, so I just went with black so it wouldn’t rust any further and I can do touch-up easier later on when needed. Since I’m toting it all around, it will no doubt get some wear on the paint. I am rigging it up to be able to change tops for different types of machines, and have begun rounding up other cabinet tops with various cut-outs.

The top shown on it is from a Singer Model 56 Electric Cabinet. I tend to like Singers, so it’s the top that I use the most. I used the extension leaf of that cabinet for my second top, and left it solid with only a belt slot cut in it. I’m experimenting with making a treadle serger (Bernette 203 3-thread). I haven’t gotten the bugs out of that setup yet. I’m also hoping to use the solid top to experiment with a table-top style freearm machine (National Model J) that I have.

The main thing that I was going for with this MUTT was portability and a small “foot print”. I use it in show booths, at the shop to test operate serviced machines, and at home to limber up the heads that I collect for myself. Being a SM collector, there’s never much room for another treadle, so I needed to keep it compact but yet still functional.

Ed. - This photo is when I was using it in a booth to sew wind socks at a Fair last year.

CD in Oklahoma

Caroline,

The portability of my MUTT includes quick setup and tear-down too. Since there’s no reason to ever have to fold the machine down, the machine is simply setting loose on the hinge pins. No need to tighten grub screws. When tear-down time comes, de-rail the belt, slip the belt off of the head, tip the head back slightly, and lift. Tuck the belt into the stand to keep it secure, and the head and stand are both ready to be moved. Setup goes as quickly in reverse.

One of the reasons that I chose a 306W for use in our booths was because it’s got an aluminum body and is light-weight for a full-sized ZZ machine. I can carry the machine back and forth to the parking lot with one hand.

One of the reasons that I picked a pressed steel treadle stand was also because of weight. With the short top on it, I gather up the treadle by the flywheel end with a hand truck and take off with it. When I get to the parking lot, it’s easier to load than a cast iron one.

CD in Oklahoma

A little off-topic, I know, but here is an old photo of my MUTT set up with the solid top on it. I was experimenting with oxygen tubing for a belt. (Didn’t like it.)

CD in Oklahoma

Finally pics of the 306m
 

I am soooo in love with this sewing machine.:p Project for the day will to bring a cabinet in for her. She has her nicks and dings, needs oiling and greasing and a new motor belt. The lugged motor belt was literally falling apart. Does anyone know if I can use a regular V belt on her (which I have)? I am sure that the foot controller is not original to this sewing machine but I rather like it much better. She still has a needle and I am going to remove and measure it to see if it is the correct 206x13 size. I can't find a free manual on line so will likely "bite the bullet" and buy one.

I am still perplexed by this sewing machine's serial number of MB695187. I did find a list of Singer factory locations at this link http://www.sewshop.com/date-your-machine.html. So the big question is, was this machine produced in Monza, Italy? Perhaps that is why the place of manufacture is obviously hacked off?

BTW, pics are before cleaning.

You can use any belt that fits and doesn't create too much tension for the motor. Lots of Singer's records were destroyed in a fire, I believe, so it's possible you'll never know it's history in total. But by that site, it does say Italy.. But, that is so weird that it was scratched out like that!! Maybe someone didn't like their trip to Italy. LOL!

It may be decades since the needle was changed, so put a new one in;>

Here is a free manual. http://www.singerco.com/uploads/down...ff8e037f58.pdf

Nancy

Thank you ever so much Nancy. I spent a lot of time looking for a free one. :thumbup:

Nice looking machine Caroline.

CD in Oklahoma

I am printing out a couple manuals, too. I took the top off a Singer cabinet and put it on a treadle base that was missing the cabinet - nope it doesn't quite fold up but it works fine. Not a huge sewing area but enough.

Caroline,

Where are you getting your 206-13 needles?

Joe

The nice thing about that type of rig - you can change out the bobbin without using the slide plate

Sew Classic. Schmetz needles which I prefer.

http://shop.sew-classic.com/206x13-S...eedles_c46.htm

Joe, you mentioned you have a jewelers glass. I think that is what you called it. Where did you buy yours? How much? In the "old days" I could read the numbers on sewing machine needles. No longer even with my glasses on and a magnifying glass, AAAARRRGH!

Carloline,

I bought one from a artists / fountain pen store in Phoenix, and the other here in Springfield at a jewelery shop as far as I can remember. Both of mine are 10 power. You might try Hobby Lobby if there's one near you.

I know what you mean about not being able to read small stuff any more. Being near sighted I used to be able to read really tiny stuff, now I can hardly see it.

Joe

You're welcome. Also for the 206-13 needles try All Brands { http://www.allbrands.com/productsear...r_by=relevance }. They have a better selection than Sew-Classic. We bought our first package from S-C then bought about 200 or so from All Brands.

Joe

It's probably the same general vintage as our 319K. The owners manual for it says the motor is a non lube motor. So if there's no lube ports I'd just run it. We don't use ours too much right now, but my wife used the heck out of it last year when we got it and we had no troubles with the motor at all.

Joe

Another 306m Update
 

Another 306m Update
 

Yes, I have finally determined that the 306m was made in Monza, Italy. I found this website this afternoon. Mystery solved. So, Sophia will remain her name.

http://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/monza/

Were the Singer 319s made there, too?