When I read "probably new in the 1980s" I thought they might be a bit fragile but all of them crumbling to bits is shocking. They must have been stored in a lit oven since the '80s: Even in a T+S they'll usually last 40 years.

I don't think that's true.

Yesterday I started cleaning, oiling and testing the machine. I didn't get far. Looks like some touch and sews came with rubber feed dogs. Mine is one of them, which explains the dried goo I found stuck to the feed dogs and needle plate. It was what was left of the rubber.
I found replacement rubber ones here: http://tandtrepair.com/SingerFeedDogs.html so I can fix it but what I would really like are the metal ones. Does anyone know if the metal ones shown will work (or can be easily modified to fit) on this machine?
Rodney

Miriam wants to know, too.

I just bought the rubber ones for my machines. I've read that they work better when creating the fancy stitches, such as the dog and flower.

As for the metal ones in that link, it says they "Will be modified for proper fit before shipping".

Here is the 645 - don't know what will fit, but if you are in need of something send me a PM.

Cathy,
PM sent. I'm also sending a message to Tand T repair for more info on the metal feed dogs they sell.
Rodney

I just checked and TandT Repair is closed for the time being. Looks like the owner was involved in a car accident and is unable to do any business right now. So the question on the metal feed dogs is still open.
Rodney

Back in the day, I had a Touch n Sew with the rubber feet dogs, replaced once with rubber and again with metal.
So you should be able to find some that fit. Mine looked like Macybaby's but with a gold face - I still remember the setting for straight stitch was A K 3 LOL!

I think Terry (T&T) had a motorcycle crash....

CD in Oklahoma