Vintage Singer sewing machines..What to look for?
#31
Originally Posted by kiffie2413
Well, I have my great grandma's 66-16, its a treadle, in original cabinet, and at some point she added a motor...I love it, but it was my Ma's, too...I hear a lot of people love the "red eyes"...I think some of them are model 66's, too...but not sure which model 66, or year...I know there are a lot of knowledgeable vintage lovers on here, and they will be along soon...good luck!
I have an older 66-1 (see my avatar) and two 201's, a 15-91, a Japanese 15-90 clone, a 221, and a 403. All I am still looking for is a nice hand-cranked Singer portable. I have a treadle, and several belt-driven and gear-driven machines, but no handcrank... :(
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (that's me!)
Posts: 3,771
Originally Posted by Annaquilts
Originally Posted by Candace
I would pass up any Singers that went to plastic housings and more plastic gears etc. Stick to the more collectable, all metal beasts:> They last forever and are in higher demand.
#33
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bikini Bottom
Posts: 5,652
Originally Posted by Janis
I'd appreciate knowing what Singer machines are good to look for in yard sales, etc. I have a Featherweight, and also a 99-13. What others are too good to pass up at yard sales? Which machines would you buy again, or not? Thanks.
It is what you like and not what we like! :D
Billy
#34
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by miriam
If you don't have deep pockets and want a good retro machine buy an old all metal White - the older all metal Japanese machines are pretty cool as well. They will have names you have never heard of. There are some awesome old Kenmore and Necchi machines. On the other hand I've seen some old Kenmore machines ain't worth a plugged nickel. One we had back in the 60s was the very bottom of the line and just didn't get used much - nobody loved it - it only did straight stitch. Montgomery Ward made some nice high end type machines too.Look them over and see if you see ANY plastic gears or moving parts. They get brittle or what ever after time. Bottom line - look for metal parts. Another thing to consider. Sit down at the machine and make sure you can 'see' the needle without craning your neck. Is the tension in the line of vision? Listen to the machine. Does the motor sound good? Does the machine clank and sound funny? Some times it will sound funny because there is lint gunking up the bobbin area. Or is it someplace else??? Has it been oiled? Do you see dried up thick gummy oil? Does the tension work? I recently got one cheap because it had a tension wire spinning around. Does the zig zag work? How much wear and tear has it had? Check to see if the thread comes up from the bobbin. My sister got a 301 very cheap because they had the bobbin cover messed up. You can learn a lot by reading up on the trouble shooting stuff on this board.
#36
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Dad bought my mom a brand new Singer. She called up the other day wanting to know how to thread her FW. She's 85. I was able to talk her through it and she went back to the FW. I went over later to see what was going on and she had an extra thread in the tension of the new one.
#37
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bartlett, Illinois
Posts: 92
Hello all,
I am newly registered but not new to the board and now can be a part of the conversations and am looking forward to it. The old Singers are just wonderful! I too love the Singer machines but not just for their quality! I just love the way the old black models look. I have several but mostly use the Union and Singer commercial models I have as I find myself doing more than quilting, curtains and awnings for my husbands teardrop trailer and dogs toys for our herd. I have been fortunate enough to find most for extremely reasonable pricing. My cousin and this board have helped repair and get them not only working like a dream but also looking great too. Thanks to everyone for the assistance.
I am newly registered but not new to the board and now can be a part of the conversations and am looking forward to it. The old Singers are just wonderful! I too love the Singer machines but not just for their quality! I just love the way the old black models look. I have several but mostly use the Union and Singer commercial models I have as I find myself doing more than quilting, curtains and awnings for my husbands teardrop trailer and dogs toys for our herd. I have been fortunate enough to find most for extremely reasonable pricing. My cousin and this board have helped repair and get them not only working like a dream but also looking great too. Thanks to everyone for the assistance.
#38
66s - 301s 401s 500s 501s even have 18 or is it a 185....I forget. I think I'd pick up ANY Singer if it were in good to great shape and, of course, the price was right! You never know who 'might need one'
I keep saying I'm going to start a notebook for all the machines. A notebook to list the machine, model number, serial number and manual info. ahhhhh someday when I have nothing to do.....
I keep saying I'm going to start a notebook for all the machines. A notebook to list the machine, model number, serial number and manual info. ahhhhh someday when I have nothing to do.....
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