tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post8419487494111163660..comments2023-10-20T08:27:40.314-04:00Comments on male pattern boldness: Wouldn't you have done the same?Peter Lappinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-14688034143803265222010-10-05T10:16:09.768-04:002010-10-05T10:16:09.768-04:00The machine is indeed a 66. A three-quarter size ...The machine is indeed a 66. A three-quarter size version of this was sold (for many years!) as the 99. Your beloved Spartan, Peter, sold to compete with inexpensive Japanese machines, is a stripped-down version of the 99. They're all FABULOUS straight-stitchers, but thousands and thousands of them were made and beautiful individuals can still be found easily. <br /><br />Have you investigated the 201's? Oldtime sewing machine repairmen vow it was the finest sewing machine Singer ever made. The 201 was marketed to seamstresses and the 15-91 to tailors. Very clearly his and hers. Go figure.Orlythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04414265091777897945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-86173859561150435862010-05-10T14:07:36.532-04:002010-05-10T14:07:36.532-04:00Anonymous, you must understand that I decided to h...Anonymous, you must understand that I decided to have a blog so that I would no longer have to make difficult decisions like these. I have ceded all responsibility to my readers. <br /><br />And I have never felt so light!Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-73539977592330854762010-05-10T12:49:28.309-04:002010-05-10T12:49:28.309-04:00You mentioned that you don't think you have th...You mentioned that you don't think you have the energy to restore this one so I think your decision has already been made.<br /><br />The decals are in decent shape and the body of the machine will clean up nicely. <br /><br />It's really all about what YOU want to do with this orphaned machine, Peter!<br /><br />Does the thought of scouring rust off of the presser foot bar, searching for missing parts and restoring it sound like an exciting challenge or a huge hassle? <br /><br />Answer that question and you'll have your decision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-38468728032778322872010-05-10T01:13:34.778-04:002010-05-10T01:13:34.778-04:00So, is it a treadle or not? One way or the other,...So, is it a treadle or not? One way or the other, it looks similar to the machine I learned on at home back when I was in junior high (but probably not the same and impossible to check as Katrina ate it). It was my mom's machine, had a nice large light behind the needle head. Yes, I am that old. I have a BabyLock Ellageo now--my only machine as the two Kenmores were given to my grand-daughter, and my daughter-in-law. As to advise about disposal, well I would send it to the recycle center after rescuing that decorative piece, even though no sewing machine made to day will be the art pieces they once were.patsijeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362426384481772370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-72238815286822982292010-05-09T20:19:25.316-04:002010-05-09T20:19:25.316-04:00Sounds like time for a contest/giveaway on the blo...Sounds like time for a contest/giveaway on the blog to me!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08630833663708656638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-18631794050386117332010-05-09T19:55:54.103-04:002010-05-09T19:55:54.103-04:00Oh, and, Anonymous, thanks for explaining the &quo...Oh, and, Anonymous, thanks for explaining the "allotment" column. Now at least I can read the pdf when I access it incorrectly . . . !Noilehttp://www.noile.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-2624766779177375882010-05-09T19:52:15.006-04:002010-05-09T19:52:15.006-04:00It's safe inside again, Peter -- the contretem...It's safe inside again, Peter -- the contretemps is done! Thanks, Debbie and Anonymous -- I get it now. <br /><br />Debbie, that's exactly what I did -- went for the link that apparently lined up. I thought that AK/AR stuff was wonky. (Should have stuck with the gut feeling!)Noilehttp://www.noile.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-34727952552360561292010-05-09T19:48:05.785-04:002010-05-09T19:48:05.785-04:00OK, so far my first choice is bookend (Thanks, Sus...OK, so far my first choice is bookend (Thanks, Susan!). Of course, my sewing books are just piled one on top of another so maybe it would be more of a bookweight.<br /><br />Second choice is lamp. Though where you put the bulb is anyone's guess.<br /><br />Third choice: boat anchor.Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-63284158100221981042010-05-09T19:26:03.533-04:002010-05-09T19:26:03.533-04:00Debbie is right. It is a 66. Noile, sorry, but y...Debbie is right. It is a 66. Noile, sorry, but you are reading that Singer page incorrectly. The red links are simply a list of downloadable pdf's with the serial number info for the various prefixes; they don't relate positionally to the list in column 1. You'd want to be looking at the AK link for Peter's, not the AR link. (Also, just wanted to clarify, those dates aren't technically the manufacturing dates. They are the dates that the serial numbers were issued for upcoming manufacturing for a particular model- as you can see they allotted numbers for 35000 66's that day... they wouldn't all have been made that same day.)<br />Anyway, I would have probably picked it up also, but I probably would not put effort into acquiring all the missing parts. You could likely pick up a nice condition one with all its parts for as little as $25-50 if you keep your eyes open.<br />I have some similar doorstops as well as others in working condition...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-11683668291098736112010-05-09T19:13:49.314-04:002010-05-09T19:13:49.314-04:00Oh, hey! I have one of those!
It's my only s...Oh, hey! I have one of those!<br /><br />It's my only sewing machine, inherited from my grandmother. After several decades of benign neglect, it's been through a great deal since then--my first attempt at a pillow, all the way through 3 years of couture and patternmanking classes at FIT--and all the maintenance it's needed is regular oiling, and a bobbin cover and a new belt about 15 years ago.<br /><br />I find it's been an excellent machine. Admittedly, all it does is go forwards and backwards, but so do the professional Jukis. I hear that these machines are great for making things like men's shirts, where the quality of the stitches is very important. <br /><br />Also, they can accomodate all the amazing vintage feet, like rufflers, tuckers, hemmers, edge stitchers....you should see the buttonholer in action! <br /><br />I think you should restore it, or have someone else do so, and blog about the process--I bet it would be fascinating.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04471406622970834646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-21673664428607572252010-05-09T18:23:45.774-04:002010-05-09T18:23:45.774-04:00Arghh. Typos. "sort of lines of" "s...Arghh. Typos. "sort of lines of" "should be sort of lines UP with ...."Debbie Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03601675304884019607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-8052193317930855562010-05-09T18:22:47.131-04:002010-05-09T18:22:47.131-04:00Sorry Peter, coming back inside for a moment. Go s...Sorry Peter, coming back inside for a moment. Go sew something if you don't want to watch. ;-)<br /><br />======<br /><br />"Wait a second, Debbie! According to the Singer site (http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_2letter.html) Peter's machine, AK328156, is an AR series machine."<br /><br />Noile, A machine that starts with "AK" is an AK series machine. It really is that simple.<br /><br />I think you're confused because on the Singer page the link to AR series machines is sorta/kinda across from groups of serial numbers and AR sort of lines of with Peter's machine's serial number. But the serial numbers and the red links to machine series are not "positionally related."Debbie Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03601675304884019607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-19329440437140611592010-05-09T18:10:48.082-04:002010-05-09T18:10:48.082-04:00You must keep this. It is the history of someone&...You must keep this. It is the history of someone's (presumably a lady) sewing. It would be too sad to relegate to the streets of New York. Someone loved this machine once.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11274649006496918800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-90577469838712354332010-05-09T17:17:44.749-04:002010-05-09T17:17:44.749-04:00Before you do anything else with it, get that Sing...Before you do anything else with it, get that Singer seal thingy replicated somehow so that an artsy friend (or you, with previously unrevealed skillz) can deftly and artistically silkscreen it onto a fantastic vintag-y t-shirt. Or a sunhat. Or all kinds of good stuff. If no one wants the machine for anything else, I'd get that part off and frame it. <br />CricketAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-32189721014676549532010-05-09T16:41:37.943-04:002010-05-09T16:41:37.943-04:00Here's a picture of a similar machine I HAD to...Here's a picture of a similar machine I HAD to have. It works and needs only minor restoration. So it weighs as much as a car and I don't know how I'll get it up to my sewing room. Big deal. The paint on mine is a little worn, the previous owner must have been an avid sewer. All the pieces are there including the manual. Pardon my squeal - it even has the cabinet! I hope when you log into ebay you can track down this link... :O)<br /><br />Sorry, had to share, this is the only place I've found where people ogle antique machines.<br /><br />http://cgi.ebay.com/Free-Antique-Sewing-Machine-Model-5-/290428060460?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item439edc832clorenakittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09560547401772928574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-46804748949270788712010-05-09T15:34:52.954-04:002010-05-09T15:34:52.954-04:00Give it a moderate cleaning and use it as a booken...Give it a moderate cleaning and use it as a bookend for all your sewing books. If after awhile you don't want it get rid of it. <br /><br />The way you pick up machines, you might want to consider keeping it for parts. I see a nice face plate on it. Also lots of little things like the needle tightening screw, a presser foot, presser foot screw, thread guides and so on. If you do get rid of it you might want to save these parts in little labeled bags. I had to search for a missing screw for one of my machines once and it wasn't easy. <br /><br />I would never pass up an old sewing machine in the garbage--it's against my nature.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03124759791502821282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-12191539088457953712010-05-09T13:15:15.805-04:002010-05-09T13:15:15.805-04:00Hon, sometimes, you just gotta let stuff go. Yeah...Hon, sometimes, you just gotta let stuff go. Yeah, I know, it seems like sacrilege that such a fine piece of equipment has been allowed to die such a slow, painful, ugly death. But nothing lasts forever. Give this machine a proper disposal (drop it in the Hudson River?). If you don't, I'm afraid that we'll be watching an episode of "Hoarders" in a few years whose subject is a man living in a New York city apartment that's crammed full of old, discarded, forgotten sewing equipment. It won't be pretty. Say farewell to this formerly fine Singer soldier as quickly as possible, and get on with the rest of your sewing life!AuntieAllynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06192122099879165907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-30110166019953122902010-05-09T12:15:58.893-04:002010-05-09T12:15:58.893-04:00Wait a second -- didn't this start with it out...Wait a second -- didn't this start with it outside??? Moving on . . . Rosie's link is cool. Advice on cleaning and wax here:<br /> <br />http://www.ismacs.net/faq.html#manufacture (scroll down) and on restoration here:<br /><br />http://www.ismacs.net/sewing_machine_articles/the_care_of_sewing_machines.html<br /><br />Lotta love in this advice -- the ISMACS guys would clearly vote for "keeping"!Noilehttp://www.noile.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-60918989926464634172010-05-09T11:58:10.425-04:002010-05-09T11:58:10.425-04:00Hey, girls, take it outside, would you please? LO...Hey, girls, take it outside, would you please? LOLPeter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-71004941799629939122010-05-09T11:48:06.456-04:002010-05-09T11:48:06.456-04:00Wait a second, Debbie! According to the Singer si...Wait a second, Debbie! According to the Singer site (http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_2letter.html) Peter's machine, AK328156, is an AR series machine. <br /><br />Then, taking this information to Singer's "AR Series Registered Numbers" pdf (http://www.singerco.com/pdf/SINGER_AR_nos.pdf) you discover that his machine is a model 638. (You can check all this yourself, since I've included the links.)<br /><br />Do we have competing Singer sites here??? Enquiring minds want to know! However, like any good researcher, I've including my own documentation trail here. After all, I didn't just make up the information!Noilehttp://www.noile.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-76565501383701106862010-05-09T11:39:19.880-04:002010-05-09T11:39:19.880-04:00Oh!! Check out www.ismacs.net, too!Oh!! Check out www.ismacs.net, too!Rosie1925https://www.blogger.com/profile/14232906422200267881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-79565427466989745022010-05-09T11:32:50.527-04:002010-05-09T11:32:50.527-04:00I've a friend who restores old machines, and s...I've a friend who restores old machines, and she recommends plain old carnuba wax after cleaning. I see an amazing wall display in the future featuring defunct machines from every era. You have such a tender heart, what are we to do with you ;-)<br /><br />PS. great bands on the tank, perfect stripes!lorenakittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09560547401772928574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-28464339955659027252010-05-09T11:32:01.335-04:002010-05-09T11:32:01.335-04:00I don't see how you could have left it--I'...I don't see how you could have left it--I'd certainly have picked it up, and I'm not particularly interested in vintage machines (except for the aesthetics). The dogs seem interested--maybe they need their own machine. :-)<br /><br />I admit I'm not wild about the lamp base idea. If there were some way you could use it for storage of small sewing notions, that would be lovely. But I would deffeinitely keep it.Nicolanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-5638252957877723112010-05-09T11:31:59.708-04:002010-05-09T11:31:59.708-04:00I am JEALOUS!!!! I have been looking for an affor...I am JEALOUS!!!! I have been looking for an affordable 66. And you are right, the Singer serial number site says 66, 1951. You need a treadle base, a leather belt, and the Yahoo group , Vintage Sewing Machine Repair (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VintageSewingMachineRepair/?yguid=209036513). And there ARE vendors who can provide the missing pieces economically. If you have never treadled, you are missing the control that it provides, and the satisfaction that YOU did it all! Besides, that is the only part missing from your collection! :)<br /><br />Your blog has to be the most interesting of the many that I follow. You make me think, which I truly appreciate! Thank you!Rosie1925https://www.blogger.com/profile/14232906422200267881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-77672177726451007442010-05-09T11:11:19.378-04:002010-05-09T11:11:19.378-04:00More - Noile said it's a 638, but it's not...More - Noile said it's a 638, but it's not. It's definitely a 66 with a manufacturing date of April 26, 1951 (Elizabeth NJ), per the Singer website. It's also missing the spindle to hold spools, and the rubber wheel for winding bobbins. Looks like someone else already started using this as a parts machine for another.Debbie Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03601675304884019607noreply@blogger.com