I was looking at the various machines here and thought I wonder what mine is. It has the coffin type cover, on the plate on the throat it says, Oct 1886 and I believe the # is 81274. It is a Singer. The drawer pulls are very ornate, unfortunately it is missing one drawer. All the original parts are in the one drawer. Just curious if you know anything about this machine.

Has anyone seen anything like this one I saw posted on Craigslist?

Looks in rough shape, but they say it works!
http://albany.craigslist.org/atq/1794985469.html

I am not interested, but thought someone else might be.

I like your machine. Thanks for posting your photos. Did you find the hand cleaner you needed?

:D

Love your machines. Free is a terrific price! Wonder when that day will come for me? :-D Great photos.

That's a biggggggggg machine!! :) If I'm not mistaken, I'm betting it was used by a leather type guy for shoes, harnesses, that kinda stuff...

Your 301A is beatiful. I might have to keep an eye out for one of those. Love it...

Sweet.... to lostn51 ! Thanks for showing it to us.

Thanks Linda, I bought some Swarfega, which is the main grease removing cleaner here, and there is no mentionn of any pumice in the ingredients, so I'm going to give it a go in an inconspicuous place. I tried to find info on the cleaner via the manufacturers, but they have just been sold/taken over, so there isn't anything happening with their website.

My White (ver pale green/celery) FW arrived this morning!!! Thankfully, no apparent damage. There is a small chip on the head of the machine, and that is the only one other than a few small ones on the motor, which I understand happens quite often. I have one tiny concern, in the attachments box there were two pieces of a broken black plastic ring. I can't see where it might have gone, it might not have anything to do with the machine. Does anyone have any ideas please? I love it that the machine came with its LIFETIME guarantee (apart from the motor, that is, which was one year), so perhaps I can get a new, free black plastic ring? LOL.

It stitches fine, after a little tension adjustment, but slowly compared to anything else I have ever tried. Does this seem normal, or would some oiling improve that? I do intend to oil it anyway, but wondered if I need to get Singer oil, or would my Bernina oil do? Many thanks, sorry for so many questions.

Penni, a 99 is NOT a light machine. If you want a light machine for classes and don't have a Featherweight, go with a Singer 301. It weighs 16 pounds to the Featherweigh's 11 pounds or so. It can do a lot more than a Featherweight (Singer 221) anyhow.

The 99 WILL free motion quilt beautifully if you have the feed dog cover and a darning attachment called a Stoppax, made in Denmark 50 years ago and not by Singer. You can get them on e-bay. That's more than I can say for the 221; I've never liked any free motion quilting it has tried - and failed - to do.

The 301 free motions like a charm. It also straight line quilts and is a good piecer. It sews through most fabrics.

Cricket

SewExtreme, I do not know what the broken part is. However, if your Bernina oil is actual sewing machine oil, it will be fine with your new Featherweight. That particular Featherweight is the slowest and least able of the Featherweights and it is not surprising it sews slow. However, check the belt. It should be loose yet able to turn the machine. You WANT it to be loose. It was designed to be loose and won't prematurely age the motor that way.

Cricket