Just curious............what do you mean by the term 'red eye'?

Red Eye is just the type of design/decals on the machine.

"Red Eye" is the nick name given to this decal design on the Singer Model 66 machines:

Joe

It didn't hurt my lotus decals, in fact it revealed some that were completely covered over with grime...I think it probably was close to a coal furnace? Billy in "vintage machines" on the board recommends soaking the whole machine in a tub of kerosene, didn't have anything big enough. it works great now and I really dosed the poor thing with kerosene LOL

thought I would show a picture of lotus after being soaked in kerosene, decals on top were completely under a black oily substance that literally had to be scubbed off...it is gorgeous now

the lotus on the left side of the "singer" was completely hidden...it was alot of work but worth it...she gets used now

Kerosene is basically a light fuel oil. It is not a solvent per sea but will clean away other dried oils and residue rather quickly.
I used it to clean the 100 years of varnished oil off the bottom of my Minnesota A and to give my rusted up 99K his final flush out bath before reassembly.
Neither machine's finish was damaged. I did not leave the kerosene on the finish any longer than necessary and I didn't completely immerse the machine in it.

I have also used Hoppe's #9 gun cleaning solvent to clean really badly gunked up parts and there was no finish damage. Hoppe's #9 uses kerosene as a base with a few other ingredients added.

I suspect that long time immersion in kerosene would not be good for decals, shellack or some paints, but a light cleaning shouldn't hurt. After all, it's oil, just not as refined as sewing machine oil.

Joe

Machine won't budge
 

I've read with interest the ways to loosen a seized machine and thought I'd share what I did. I had an inherited morse 200 completely seized, locked up tight. I read online to use a hair dryer and I turned the machine on the side, blew the hot air into the head and continued to "wiggle" and that did the trick! It's now been oiled, cleaned and runs great. I cleaned the exterior with Murphy's oil soap with no ill effects. It didn't have decals to worry about per se, but I didn't want to mar the beautiful blue finish it has.

Achy

So, if I have an opportunity to get a 'red eye' in a cabinet - not sure if it is working - for fifty bucks, i should take it?

Is it just the decal that makes it special?

thanks!
Lara

Lara122,

If the machine is in good working order, and the cabinet is also in good condition $50.00 isn't too much. The more accessories and attachments that come with it the better.

The red eye model 66 is no different mechanically than any other model 66 of similar vintage. But it is a well liked design and it was only made up until 1927 I think. So although it's not super rare, it's not super common either.

I have two, both treadles. I'd gladly adopt another if it comes along.

Joe

Joe, you are such a smarticulous! ;0)

Being treadle only, is that practical to use to actually sew on? Would it be better to look for an electrified version? I do like the idea of being able to learn how to take care of it myself. My five or six year old kenmore from sears has begun to slip stitches occasionally. I use my seventies era Kenmore for piecing. I wouldn't know how in the world to 'work' on my plastic lightie!

I like the idea of having something so old and classic, but I would need to be able to *use* it. Clearly, our grandmothers did fine with a treadle, but . . . .

btw, the guy hasn't answered back about letting me come look at it.

I saw a red eye that seems to have sold for $650! of course, it looked deliciously perfect . . . . . lol!!

hmmm.