Found machine - Is it worth anything?

Oh..and to add... the serial number os AH591998, which I have looked up and found it was made sometime in 1948.

Thanks

Rich

Not a whole lot. The model 66 was one of the most produced models Singer made. I have about 6 or 7 of them, all gotten locally. Two were given to me. The biggest problem with them is that every one I've seen has had toasted wires; brittle and crumbling. Anyway, last one I picked up, a gorgeous "Red Eye" with perfect decals was $15 at an auction (I probably could have gotten it for less as I was the only bidder...but I wanted it for my treadle cabinet.). The one before that was a gorgeous machine with intact decals in a beautiful bentwood case with a box of attachments was $10. I put a hand crank on it - as mentioned before, the wiring was toast.

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

--------------

Not a lot! They were made by the million all over the world! Mine is a Lotus decal one from 1923: a hand-crank in a wooden case. Case is tatty, but the machine still works perfectly. They *are* lovely machines, and real work-horses. I'd love a treadle version, but I don't really have room for one, as I already have a treadle.

Keep it for love of Granny, use it and remember her, or give it to someone like me! My treadle belonged to a friend, inherited from her grandmother: she didn't have room for it and wanted it to go to someone who would get it working and occasionally use it.

For help with it, join Treadle on and become part of the People Powered Sewing World!

You really need to get over to snipped-for-privacy@yahoogroups.com and join up. The way some of these machines are commanding prices you might just be surprised. They will tell you the truth about it, and if you have pictures so much the better. A very common 201 just sold for over $250.00USD. So anything is possible. The more original it is the better and you seem to have all the important parts. Cabinets are going sky high lately and not just on that Auction place.

$250 or more for a 201 is unusual. Now, the treadle 201s and the hand crank 201s command the high end because they are rare...plus it's great to have a treadle or handcrank that will do reverse! The 201-2, the gear driven model, typically goes for $100 on eBay. I'm not saying they never go for more, but a really nice example with the works, and a good ebay ad will command higher pricing - especially if the seller knows about the machine and how to pack one properly.

Still, I'd take a 201 over a 66 any day of the week, especially a

201-2.

201-2: all gear driven; no belts, will sew through anything you can fit under the foot - feed dogs drop, has reverse, and has largest harp area (area under the arm) of the vintage Singers; full rotary hook (VERY quiet and smooth)

66 : uses a belt (not as powerful as gear driven) wires often need replacing; no dropping feed dogs; most do not have reverse; is a 3/4 size machine; hook is oscillating (so is noisy).

66 is full sized. The 99 is the 3/4 model.

Hand cranks and treadle 201's seem to be the most common where I am especially the 201-4. I have not paid more that $25.00 for any of them except the lightweight ones. Treadles are just not that expensive unless they are pristine parlour cabinets. The $250++ treadle was an ordinary base as far as I could tell. I have not seen many 201 go for $100 on any of the Auctions. Usually they are under that mark, and quiet a bit under it. I personally prefer the 15-91,it would sew a door if you could get it under the foot and the smoothest operation of any Singer made before or since. All the same features of the 201's but with a better upper threading system. I use mine on my quilting frame and have a 115 for the really heavy work like belt leathers etc. Recently sold a 201-3 belt driven for $15.00 and a 201K for $40.00.... You still have to watch doing reverse on a treadle or hand crank, as it is not made to do that. Kinda bunches up underneath a bit.

thanks Pogonip I missed that bit. The wires are not hard to replace and with more and more people doing restoration we are now seeing companies reproducing the old style wiring. Both the 66 and 99 are really decent tough hard working machines. Many prefer them over the others. I am currently doing a hand crank conversion on a small black Spartan (192K) looks like a stripped down 99 but it does the best straight stitch of all the 80 machines I own and certainly better than any of the swing needle ones. Didn't the 66-18 come with reverse and optional light? I have not seen many of them with this model number. The more common

66-1,4,6 redeye types are what I see the most of. This 66's uses the same hook and bobbin as the 201's.

Where do you keep them? Big house? I am now totally jealous!!!

Michelle Giordano

No actually the house is about 900 sq ft and is home to me, the DH, 2 Rotties, and one hilarious Manx cat. Oh and DH is 6' 6". Still there seems to be lots of room, I think that is because the house is perfectly square with the kitchen right smack in the middle and only 2 bedrooms, one of which is now his office. It is just the right size and easy to clean and heat....... I don't have a lot of machines in cabinets, just 3 treadles, a White, and Pfaff 130.Some are on semi permanent loan to new sewists, and kids, but most are in the house. Dining room porch and DH's office: Each has a treadle, they make great serving counters in a dining room. I have a nice Martha Washington in the living room as a stand for my turtle collection, Singer 31- 15 industrial treadle in the sewing room ready for the heavy stuff. Treadle in the office for the scanner but most are portables, well as portable as a 45lb machine can be and I service them all and they all work. I do have favourites like the

301's that I take with me as I will the cranked Spartan. Lots on display around the sewing room and the house. I even have a Merrow on the back of the toilet tank. While the wood stove is not in use it displays the Queen of them all, my Singer 115, such a beautiful lady I cannot put her under a lid.

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uttered>Hi there.>

It is worth exactly as much as you would pay to acquire it, no more, no less

this is one of the commonest treadles around

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uttered>>66 : uses a belt (not as powerful as gear driven) wires often need >replacing; no dropping feed dogs; most do not have reverse; is a 3/4 >size machine; hook is oscillating (so is noisy).>

66 is a full sized head - a 99 is the 3/4 version