Considering buying a 2nd vintage machine...
02-10-2014, 03:27 PM
#51
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 62
The Singer 306 is a sturdy machine and will do the Zig-Zag for you. However, make sure no one has fiddled with the timing. Quite often others have attempted to use and make adjustments to use 15x1 needles. The 306 takes 206x13 needles. I've only known of one example where this was satisfactory. I'm currently procrastinating about retiming one that has been fiddled with.
In other words, take a cloth and test the machine. Look at the bobbin case. If everything is in sync there will be no needle marks on it. BTW, test first by hand operating the hand wheel to assure the needle is not hitting the bobbin case. Otherwise a very sturdy dependable machine and very heavy.
The cabinet is a plus.
In other words, take a cloth and test the machine. Look at the bobbin case. If everything is in sync there will be no needle marks on it. BTW, test first by hand operating the hand wheel to assure the needle is not hitting the bobbin case. Otherwise a very sturdy dependable machine and very heavy.
The cabinet is a plus.
02-10-2014, 03:28 PM
#52
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 62
The Singer 306 is a sturdy machine and will do the Zig-Zag for you. However, make sure no one has fiddled with the timing. Quite often others have attempted to use and make adjustments to use 15x1 needles. The 306 takes 206x13 needles. I've only known of one example where this was satisfactory. I'm currently procrastinating about retiming one that has been fiddled with.
In other words, take a cloth and test the machine. Look at the bobbin case. If everything is in sync there will be no needle marks on it. BTW, test first by hand operating the hand wheel to assure the needle is not hitting the bobbin case. Otherwise a very sturdy dependable machine and very heavy.
The cabinet is a plus.
In other words, take a cloth and test the machine. Look at the bobbin case. If everything is in sync there will be no needle marks on it. BTW, test first by hand operating the hand wheel to assure the needle is not hitting the bobbin case. Otherwise a very sturdy dependable machine and very heavy.
The cabinet is a plus.
02-10-2014, 03:29 PM
#53
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 62
Another question: can I do FMQ on the Singer 306? I lost my case of accessories for my Elna, but would love to give FMQ a try soon. Eventually I'll purchase accessories (or a 2nd Elna with them in place) so that I can do that on the Elna, but trying to keep sewing costs down right now.
02-10-2014, 03:46 PM
#54
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: NW MO
Posts: 591
Another question: can I do FMQ on the Singer 306? I lost my case of accessories for my Elna, but would love to give FMQ a try soon. Eventually I'll purchase accessories (or a 2nd Elna with them in place) so that I can do that on the Elna, but trying to keep sewing costs down right now.
Last edited by Vridar; 02-10-2014 at 03:49 PM.
02-10-2014, 05:40 PM
#55
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 62
I'd be the first one in line for that 306--currently on my "gotta have it" list--and thanks for the info about the different needle requirements, you guys.....a friend of mine just bought one, and we aren't too happy with the noise it makes. I'll have her try to find a right needle, and get back to y'all. I wish I didn't live so far down here--I would have my DH in the truck right now going after it. Good luck, and welcome to this board. You'll learn to love us....
http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/...forgotten.html
http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/...n-needles.html
Rachel
You're funny...
02-10-2014, 06:15 PM
#57
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
I like the 306 machines. Just buy the right needles and have some fun with the machine. I had some trouble trying to do free motion on it though. I used the raised throat plate and I didn't have enough room for my fingers LOL kept getting hit with the needle screw.
02-10-2014, 06:19 PM
#58
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 62
I'd be the first one in line for that 306--currently on my "gotta have it" list--and thanks for the info about the different needle requirements, you guys.....a friend of mine just bought one, and we aren't too happy with the noise it makes. I'll have her try to find a right needle, and get back to y'all. I wish I didn't live so far down here--I would have my DH in the truck right now going after it. Good luck, and welcome to this board. You'll learn to love us....
02-10-2014, 07:17 PM
#59
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 1,850
My local shop has the needles, but if they didn't I'd just buy a pack of 100 in each size. That'd probably last a lifetime!
Schmetz have stopped making the size 16s last August, so wish I'd bought 100 before then. Got only 8 of these left.
02-10-2014, 07:51 PM
#60
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
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I have a 306 and can lower the feed dog Miriam. It's identical to my 319 except for the built-in patterns. Lowering it instead of using the cover plate would definitely give you more room. Is yours missing it's screw?
My local shop has the needles, but if they didn't I'd just buy a pack of 100 in each size. That'd probably last a lifetime!
Schmetz have stopped making the size 16s last August, so wish I'd bought 100 before then. Got only 8 of these left.
My local shop has the needles, but if they didn't I'd just buy a pack of 100 in each size. That'd probably last a lifetime!
Schmetz have stopped making the size 16s last August, so wish I'd bought 100 before then. Got only 8 of these left.
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