Gorgeous machine and cabinet. Lucky you! You have a piece of your family; I bet your great grandmother would be extremely happy to see that her machine was still in the family. Get some sewing oil, give it a good oiling, and start sewing with this beauty. Do you have the manual? Sorry I can't tell you anything else, but someone else here should be able to help you.[/quote]

Thanks. I do have a manual, missing the front and back cover. The manual doesn't specify a type of needle, but vaguely instructs you to use only the correct good quality needles!

Ok, so I've been snooping on the Singer site www.singerco.com/support/serial to try to figure out the "birthdate" for my FW. The SN is FA104163, I see it was made in Scotland but other than that I'm not able to establish a date or even a year. Did I go to the wrong site or did I do something wrong? I appreicate any help.

Here's what I mean. The basic sewing foot for a 66-1 should look like this:

[quote=luv2learn]I think they are machine specific but some models may use the same cams I'm not sure on that one. Billy would know. My 306k has to have the zz cam in even if I just want to do a straight stitch, don't know why.

In the Singer line, they are somewhat interchangable. There are several machines that use the black cams, and then the later, 60's-70's model machines used white cams. You can use any black cam in a black cam machine, and any white cam in a white cam machine, but you can't use white in black, or vice versa.

Some of the models were made with some basic built-in stitches, and then took cams for extra sts beyond that. Other models were made with NO built in sts, and it took cams to create all the sts. That would be why you need the basic ZZ cam in place to sew a straight st.

This is the basic difference between the 401 and the 403. The machines are identical except that the 401 has some built in sts (hence the big dial button, front and center) and also takes cams, and the 403 has no built in sts, and uses cams for all sts. I believe the 500a and the 503 Rocketeers are the same way-- one has some built-ins and the other has none.

Weedwoman, thanx so much for the response.

Sewbizgirl, thanx for the thorough explanation. . you were very helpful. . .I think I have some black and some white and this will help me sort out where to try them.

I certainly am enjoying the sewing machine parade. . . .looks like there are still some beautiful machines being saved!! Thanx to all for sharing.

There is much less info available on the machines made at the Anderson, South Carolina plant. What I've read is that when it was sold the records weren't kept, like they were in New Jersey and at other plants. I guess we are lucky to have the info we do have...[/quote]

Sewbizgirl; Thank you for this information. I appreciate it but will still try to contact Singer to see if they have any more info than what is available at the dating site.

Definitely a badged National, and in absolutely wonderful shape. The Nationals generally take Boye size 14 needles, but DamascusAnnie, the Queen of National machines, says she just uses a regular 15 x 1 needle and "cheats" it down a bit. Let me know if that works for you, and if not, we will hunt for needles that work!!

OK--I consulted the ISMACS list and the NB book, and they both say 20 x 1 needles for the Vindex B type of machine. Here's a link. I have never bought from this site, so no nothing about it--you can keep looking, I just opened the first likely site:

http://www.sewshop.com/Singer_Indust...4189-2182.html

Let us know what works!!

I have a person who sells beautiful wooden bases for my odd-sized machines. She also sells 3/4 and full-sized bases that hold a Singer. They're not cheap, but well-made.

Sometimes bases come up on Ebay. BTW, I have had 15-91s in bentwood cases; they do fit.
The paper-covered cases from the 50s will usually work as well as the modern plastic ones. You have lots of choices!!