What is the oldest 201 you've ever seen?
 

Hi Gang,
Just wondering what's the earliest year of Singer 201 you've ever seen? Treadle?

Mine is a 1938/39 in great shape sews well!
Model 201 has a potted motor, no treadle.

Ethel

There is a 201 treadle and there is a 201 with a belted motor. I haven't seen either one - the two I own have potted motors.

I have a mid 40's one, don't remember exact date and too lazy to go look. It shows a bit of wear. I have two centennial ones, both in lovely condition. I would love to have a treadle 201, but I too have never seen one. How hard would it be to convert a potted 201 to treadle? Could for instance a 66 spoked balance wheel be retrofitted on there? Or....any other ways? I currently have 6 201's one that is a donor.
So far Ethel you're the winner!

They can be converted. They need a belt guard with a bobbin winder (I got mine from Mizkaki) and a deep wheel. I recently converted a Singer 15 to HC that way. Watch for a tutorial.

Mine is from May of 1940. It also has a potted motor and I have never seen one with a belted motor.
Didn't Mike report there are tons of belted ones in Australia and almost no pots?

Miriam, I will be anxiously awaiting that tute! I would love, love to convert one of my 201's!

My dream is to find a hand crank machine in nice condition. Not a converted though I would rather find one that was original. Do you know how I can find one from a trustworthy source? I really don't want to go the EBay route and I have never seen any in my area that I could inspect. On that note, what would be your favorite model of hand crank?
Sorry, not trying to hijack this thread....should I start a new thread with this topic?

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post6660748
Tutorial as of right now...

I do not own an original HC - I, too can only wish. I have converted a 15, 128, 66, 99 & 27 - There are advantages to each. I think the one I go to is a Singer 15 from 1902 but the 27 is right up there with it - I think it is the heavier balance wheels that I love on those. The 128 and 99 are lighter weight and for sure cuter. The 66 is a redeye and very cool.

Only the 201-2 has a gear-driven potted motor. The 201-1 is a treadle, the 201-3 has an external motor with belt, and the 201-4 is a handcrank. (British versions were 201K1, 201K2, 201K3, & 201K4). The light is built-in on the 201-2, but not on the 201-3.

According to Needlebar.org, they began making the 201 model in 1932. There is also an aluminum model 201 in black or tan, and one designated as a 1200 that is a 201 with a knee-lift for the presser foot.

Here is a 1948 201K4 handcrank that began life as a 201K3. I removed the motor, belt, light, and solid wheel. I added a 9-spoke wheel from a 1922 Singer 66-3, and a handcrank from a 1902 Singer 28K1, and put it into a 1950s portable case.

CD in Oklahoma

Just in case it got buried here is a link to the tutorial:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post6660748

Dec 1936 was my oldest, now sold on. It was a treadle.

Yes it's true. I still haven't ever seen a potted 201, but I have three with external motors ATM. Also had a lot that were treadles.

Thank you, thank you. :)

It’s just the opposite around here. I haven’t seen anything but the 201-2 (potted) in the past 8 years. I have 5 of them, including a Centennial, and have passed on more.


I found my only non-potted one (shown above) in Dallas Texas.


CD in Oklahoma

I second that!

Haha Jim, I've read lots of your posts but just noticed you sig line for the first time! I am known as THE worrier in my family. Lol! Mind if I borrow it? :)

Excellent info here. There is one at thrift store here that is from the UK with the treadle hand wheel and no electrical or other parts. They want way to much for it though, I was just curious. My guess its an early model, its got the scroll faceplate.

My 201K is a 1936. Its an original hand crank, I like it better as a treadle.
Sharon

I have a 201-3 from early 50's (I was 5 when she got it new in 1951). It was my grandmothers and has a motor and belt. I feel lucky as my mother had it and when I got grown it was been with me last 45+ years and always inside in AC and carefully used. It is a great machine, but now I have been bitten and have a White Rotary Treadle, Red Eye tredle, a 91-15, a Kenmore from 70's I bought new, Kenmore 19000 mom bought me (Janome 9000) , a Brother SQ9000( many fancy stitches) a Baby Lock 3 thread surger and a Janome 4 thread surger. Would have more but NO MORE room so I had to quit collecting.

Carol34446...can the 201-3 be used in a treadle cabinet by simply changing the balance wheel from its original wheel and belt, and removing the motor and replacing the original wheel with a larger spoked wheel and longer belt ?

The problem would be the belt guard. Getting a new one and a bobbin winder to attach - it seems that there aren't screws available to fit the holes.

Miriam, she’s got a 201-3. Are you thinking a 201-2 conversion instead?

CD in Oklahoma

yup - DUH moment

So can this be done...can the 201-3 be used in a treadle machine and if so, is it as simple as removing the plug and changing the balance wheel?

I realize now that what I referred to as the balance wheel is the "stop motion wheel"...can the stop motion wheel and the electric motor and cord be removed and a spoked wheel be installed so it can be used in a treadle ? Or would the attempt be considered heresy?

All you have to do is unscrew the motor & light, etc. You will want to re-use the stop motion knob - just put on a spoked wheel - reuse the stop motion knob - and treadle to your heart's content.

I have a 1938 201 with potted motor..love to sew on it..

Thank you Miriam. Does anyone know which spoked wheel from what model and which year or years will work on the 201-3 ? I currently see a 6 spoked wheel from a model 27 for sale but don't know if this will fit or work on my 201-3. Please help. Not sure if or when I'll do a conversion for treadle use, but knowing that I can, makes it all the better.
I see that the 201-3 were as common in Australia and Canada as the 201-2 was in the states, I haven't seen any 201-3 machines for sale locally or on ebay.

Don't forget the UK, where they were made. Canada and Australia got machines made in Scotland because we're all part of the commonwealth, and I don't think they ever made potted motor varieties there (I've never seen one). The later ones (from around 1953) were made of aluminium too, so very significantly lighter but same amazing stitch mechanism.

I've only seen the large hand wheels go on a few of the 15-30s or the 27s but I could be wrong.

Miriam, would the "large" hand wheel that you mentioned, describe the 6 spoked model 27 handwheel that I referred to in my previous post and thereby disqualify it from use on the 201-3 and if so...would you know which handwheel would fit on the 201?
On another note...the serial number has an EE prefix...and I wondered if that prefix could identify the machines origins or is it solely used in dating the machine?

The EE series was made in the Kilbowie plant in Clydebank, Scotland.

Try treadling with the original handwheel. I have put several machines in my MUTT treadle with their original small handwheel. They all worked just fine. You have a less area to grab on the handwheel if you are the type to start the sewing by pulling on the handwheel, but it works.

The wheel off the 27 has a deeper shaft.

Thanks Miriam and Mizkaki