Singer 99 vs 99k
 

What is the difference?

as I understand it the K designates that it was made in Kilbowie Scotland

Like Steve said, the "K" designates where it was made. Same thing as the A - when Singer started using a letter for teh USA made machines.

Sometimes there are other differences too. From what I've gathered, Singer stopped making the 99 in the US before they stopped making it overseas, so all the later model 99's are "K" machines. By then they were exporting a lot more too, so finding European made machines started to be way more common than the older models.

Thanks for clarifying.

Does this mean if the machine has a designation of 99- it was made in the USA?

I think it does, yes.

Yes. According to the early Singer catalogs the number before the hyphen or letter is the class of machine and the number after the hyphen or letter is the variety. I recently worked on a 15-91 that only had "15-" on the number plate.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Janey, I don't understand what you are saying. What are you calling the number plate? I don't think my two 15-91's say that it's a 15 anywhere (that I know of). One has a serial number that starts with JC, which isn't listed anywhere. It was made in Canada (says so on the machine). The other is an AH number.

Explain what you're talking about, please.

Bkay

[h=1][/h][h=1][/h][h=1][/h]What is the difference between a Singer 99, 99k and a Singer Spartan?
Here is a youtube video that answers that question.
https://youtu.be/kml11Lznh9I

I think that Singer put a number plate on some of the industrial machines before they did it on domestic machines. I don't know when they started on domestic machines. I think I have seen some 99-13s but not positive. The 1954ish 15 that I have (yes made in USA) has it on the pillar as shown by the lavender arrow.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]616273[/ATTACH]

https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...es/image13.htm tells about the number plate from Elizabethport 1908 catalog
and https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...ges/image5.htm tells about the number plate from Kilbowie 1907 catalog



Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Thanks, Janey.

BKay

Not fond of videos that give me a minute long musical introduction. I enjoy Scottish music, but I can pick my own.
I konw Spartans have a different number, but I've forgotten what it is.

Spartans are a 192.

Thanks. Maybe someday I'll remember.

The machine is identical, but not everting is identical. There is a bit of difference to the casing, the UK made versions have extention tables both on the suit case type as well as bend wood cases. Many US made machines doens't have them. The uke made 185K (much the same machine) usually come pale wood bases with extention table. I haven't seen any US made with this base. There are som rare exceptions to the 99 cases, where the extension table double as a tool and accessory box, stained lacquered wood.

Grease for motor?
 

I have a 99K, and wondering about how to grease this motor. I can’t find an online adjuster‘s manual for this wonderful machine, or find that it’s clearly apparent what to do by looking at the motor. Please help. Thank you.

There is a manual for the 99-13 that can be found on singer.com https://res.cloudinary.com/singer-se...ng_Machine.pdf
On page 12 of that manual, it shows where to grease the motor. Also do not use modern Singer lubricant. It is a different formula and not meant for older machines.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

I used my 99s mainly for handcranking. I suspect their might be oil or grease for the motors depending on the era.

Spartans also have a cutout in the far right corner of the bed for an electrical cord to come through. And no lamps.