Wondering which Model 66 red eye I have
 

Hello everyone. I'm new to QB, but have already found a wealth of helpful information while searching prior posts and threads - I'm so glad I found this group! I recently purchased a 1923 Model 66 Red Eye treadle machine that I am restoring for my own use. Luckily, it was in pretty decent shape, all parts moving fairly easily as they should, so I mainly just need to give it a good clean, and replace a few missing bits such as the slide cover and the belt.

But in doing research here and elsewhere, I've come across references to Model 66-1, 66-3, 66-4 and 66-16. ISMACS lists this as a model 66, but that is all the information I have. Could someone tell me how to tell which sub-class of the 66 I have or what the difference is between the different sub-classes (i.e., difference between a 66-3 and a 66-4 or a 66-16)?
(I tried to upload a photo but kept getting an "Upload of file failed." message :( Not sure why - the pic is under 5MB)
Many thanks, in advance, for any insight you can provide!
Kelly

Welcome, Kelly. I know it says 5MB, but that isn't right. It is more like less than 1.9MB Since you said it was a treadle, I'm guessing it has a spoked hand wheel. The 66's can be a little tricky. However, since you said it had "red head" decals and was a 1923 year of manufacture, I'm thinking that it probably has the side mount presser feet. That would make it a 66-4. http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...sses-1-99.html Actually there isn't a whole lot of differences.

Did you get a manual with it?

We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.

I have found that only the big red "Reply" button or "Quote" work to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...p-location.jpg

Some additional info regarding reducing images at post #4 and images for the scroll and upload button can be found at #5 of https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...d-t312607.html

By the way, where in Kansas? I lived in SW KS in the late 70s and early 80s. We have a few members from KS LeonF is in eastern KS.


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

Welcome, also, and I agree with Janey, we like pictures.

I have used the chart on this page when trying to figure out a 66 variant:

https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/66

I am from Topeka. I don't care much about model sub numbers. (sorry) Just a heads up about your belt. It will be longer than you need. It will need to be cut and punched for your specific machine.
Welcome aboard. I have a few machines..

https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...951-591877.jpg

These pliers are made for cutting and punching. A bit pricey, but mine came with a treadle.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...181-622077.jpg

Thanks, Janey and JoeJr., for the welcome and the helpful links! I've managed to attach a couple photos this time (I think! lol), although neither the wheel nor the presser foot are visible, as they'd already been removed for cleaning. But you are correct that the wheel is spoked and the presser foot is side mounting. It's subclass/variant # isn't that important to me - I think she's a beauty, regardless - I just hadn't known that additional numbered classifications beyond "66", "15" etc. existed So my question was more just to learn more about these marvels of machinery. I imagine I'll end up owning more than one vIntage machine :D but want to be much more knowledgeable about them before I invest in the next one.

Until last year, I lived in Lawrence, KS - just 30 minutes East of Leonf in Topeka. Now I live in the home where I grew up, another 40 miles East in a suburb of Kansas City, just 4 miles from the Missouri border. I had friends who grew up in Garden
City, though - there's not much that's further SW than that in KS!

Thanks for the welcome, Leon. We're nearly neighbors - I live in Overland Park.
Having never owned a vintage Singer or a treadle before, I know I'll be spending quite a bit o' time researching all things restoration... including how to install the belt. I have the old leather belt - found it in one of the drawers. It was broken, but I at least could see how the two ends are attached to close the circle.
LOVE your collection! I know I'll buy other vintage machines over time, although almost every sale posting I saw before buying this one was for the machine head AND table - very few machines being sold just by themselves or in a portable case. I don't have the space to own multiple vintage machines each in their own table!
Kelly

Nice looking machine. It looks like you may be using 3-in-1 oil. Most will tell you to keep it away from sewing machines. You need regular sewing machine oil or Tri-Flo oil.

I'd say it was a 66-4. It looks like there may be a few discrepancies between the two lists. Here is a page from the 1924 catalog for Singer sewing machines - https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...s/image209.htm

There are lots of sites and videos of how to install a treadle belt.

Actually, I lived in Holcomb so a little west of Garden City (5 miles) .

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

What a gorgeous machine!! It looks like it's hardly been used.

HI Kelly. I frequently get near the OP area. Sometimes to grab sewing machines.

I hope it is just the angle, but I am not seeing the big power pulley to run your belt on the right side of your treadle assembly.
is it there?...

My GF and I love to demonstrate hand crank machines and have folks use them. We see 1,400 kids on Ks Day.

I can tell you are a rookie here if you thought the stairs pic was my collection. I have a few more. Hehe.

Thanks Pocoellie! :) I was amazed at the condition of it, too. It's inner workings and metal parts definitely have some old oil/dust/dirt build up, but even that has not been as bad as I anticipated for a 100 yr old machine - everything still moves freely. One or more prior owners definitely treated it with TLC!

https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/shock.png I know several folks in the local quilt guild who collect vintage machines... not sure any of them have that many, though!
Do you ever sew with any of them?

If you mean the large wheel with the groove in it that the belt goes around (band wheel??), then yes, it is in fact there - all treadle base parts are intact and working.
Oh, wow - I just took another look at my photo and can understand why you asked - it looks as if there is no wheel!! Couldn't take another photo at that misleading angle again if I tried! lol

Hi Janey - yes, it is 3-in-1 oil. It's what my mom always used to oil her sewing machines and it's what I had on hand. It's been doing a wonderful job at removing old oil from the various metal parts/screws that I can't use alcohol on. Do you just mean it is not recommended for cleaning the painted & shellaced areas? or should I not use it on even the metal parts? Thanks!

I know, I remember having it around as a kid. It probably was used on my mom's sewing machine and maybe even my grandmother's at some point. My brother & I refurbished our grandmother's for my sister. I really didn't have any problem getting it cleaned up with Tri-flow and sewing machine oil. Those that have more experience than I do, say that it gums up the machine. I would not use Tri-flow for the japanning and decals, but would use regular sewing machine oil.


I've used alcohol swabs on some parts as they don't drip. I used to have some really nice strong ones, but even the thinner ones will work for cleaning some of the parts under the machine or in the nose that I didn't want to remove.


One generally doesn't see machines from the angle of your picture. I was able to click on the picture and enlarge it. I even looked at one of my treadles to make sure that what I was seeing above the dress guard was indeed the band wheel.


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

Kelly,

Three in one may work for simple machines, but if you get into ZZs or one with cams, It can gum them up pretty easily. I only use sewing machine oil on my lovelies' ( I buy it by the gallon).

My GF is the sewist and she does fashion. https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...163-613393.jpg

I have done a few minor projects just to get familiar with the machines. I've been a gearhead all my life and when my GF's featherweight acted up on her, she asked me to fix it. I'd never touched a machine before, but after reading the manual, watching youtube and much encouragement. I got it running again after several tries. Now I treat them like 3 D jigsaw puzzles. I'll buy poor ones, and bring them back to life ( usually) . We just had 12 of them in a museum in a temp visit. I keep thinking one day we'll contact the Macaffee (sp?) stage coach area and demo there. Haven't done that yet. I give them away or sell them when I am so inclined. Not making any profit.

Glad your wheel is there. Did you think to oil the treadle itself. It can make a lot of difference.
I consider a 66 or 99 oiled well when I can give a quick flip to the handwheel and it will spin 3 revolutions.

Have fun.

Oh, and yes Iris (GF) will sometimes use my old beasties. Mostly when her new machines balk at too many layers. Ha!

Progress in the cleaning/oiling of my new addition!
 

I know it's been a few weeks, but I wanted to follow up with some before and after photos! Migraines & pressure headaches the past 2+ weeks due to storms & rollercoaster baro pressure have kept me from making as much progress as I would have liked https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/frown.png but I just worked one area at a time as I could (tension assembly, bobbin area, needlebar area, bobbin winder+handwheel, underneath linkages) I've really LOVED learning every part of her! Once I finished cleaning the head, I set my sights on the base... I've removed the table and drawers from the treadle base in preparation of working on the base next. 5 photos here, and another few in a 2nd post to come. Thanks for all your help and advice, folks!

Progress - Part 2
 

I don't have a "before" photo of the face plate, but it was even darker than the round plate shown in the last post... bright and shiny now! The treadle is in pretty good shape - some rust spots throughout that are noticeable up close but don't show in the photo. May just clean and oil all the joints for now because I'm not sure how to handle the finish yet...AND I'm anxious to get it all reassembled and put that new belt on, to see how she hums! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Decals are in great shape! Congrats on your well done job on the "innerds".
bkay

Great job. I do notice that you haven't replaced the race oil wick. Some links showing how to install a new wick:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...a-t183703.html
https://color-my-world-with-warmth.b...k-on-66-1.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edJkboOOa2c

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

Fabulous job on the clean up.

That looks fantastic! If you're taking in machines for cleaning, just let me know. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Kelly, Check for a private message. Please.

Thanks, everyone! I did enjoy taking it bit by bit, seeing the golden dried oil "patina" covering everything quickly turn to the clean silver/steel color it should be. Very satisfying work :)
Janey - I learned about the wick from another thread on here (likely one you replied to with the same links, since I remember watching that video you linked!). I appreciate that, since mine didn't have even a nub of a wick in it and I had no idea what that cone shaped wire was for. I just haven't made the time to go to my stash to find some wool felt yet, but I will - thanks!
I have a question about the base, but I think I'll start a new thread for that.