Yet Another Singer 66 - Why, oh why do I keep buying these things?

Yep, another Singer 66. *sigh*
Straight stitch, no reverse, no real redeeming qualities. Ok, maybe that last sentiment was uncalled for. After all, it does look kinda nice even with the layers of grime, dirt, and crusty varnish. I guess it's called "patina" these days. And ooh-ooh, "barn find"! Yes, I can call it a barn find, right?! And it's old - from 1912.

So, an honest-to-goodness 106-year-old anty-que, with the "early" 6-spoke hand wheel, high-mount "treadle" bobbin winder, rear-mount foot.

And at least it's a Red Eye. I didn't pay much attention to the decals at the thrift store where I purchased it other than to note they looked rather nice, so when I got it home and looked it over, I was pleasantly surprised.

I think I have this affliction, 'need' maybe, to repair anything I can get my hands on. Maybe it's a sickness..... Is it broke? Is it in need of some TLC? Well then, I need to buy it, get my grubby little hands on it, and fix it, by George!

There is a high probability that this machine started life as a treadle. The bobbin winder is meant to work off a leather belt running vertically from the treadle base to the hand wheel, so it doesn't engage the rubber O-ring belt on the machine now. And the retrofit motor bracket had been crudely screwed to the base with no means for adjustment.

But hey, at least it's a Singer motor. And Singer foot controller. But the wiring needed help so I ended up putting on a newer foot controller since I didn't want to cut up the cord on this older Singer controller.

A little cleaning, a little oiling, and the sewing machine worked like a champ. Amazing is all I can say for something so neglected for so many years can be brought back to life with so little work.

As can be seen, the varnish has yellowed some but I might just try and get most of it off without hurting the decals. I was able to clean the bed fairly well.

Here is a list of what I did to this machine:
- Cleaned
- Oiled
- Unstuck foot tension knob and stitch length knob.
- Replaced two broken case hinge pins (didn't have any that fit so had to machine the shoulders off two that I had using the mini lathe)
- Straightened thread spool pin
- Improved motor to bed attachment
- Repaired wiring and wired in newer foot controller
- Removed lamp (wiring and internal mechanism was toast)

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Following are photos of the other four Class 66 Singer machines currently in the basement stash. Yes, only four.

"Lotus" decals, treadle, circa 1908, "late" 9-spoke hand wheel, low-mount "treadle" bobbin winder, rear-mount foot.

"Red Eye" decals, electrified, circa 1922, "late" 9-spoke hand wheel, high-mount rubber tire bobbin winder, side-mount foot.

"Filigree" decals (but interestingly with "Red Eye" belt guard decals), treadle, circa 1927, "late" 9-spoke hand wheel, high-mount rubber tire bobbin winder, side-mount foot.

Ummm, no decals. Oh, wait, there's one. "NELSON'S Sewing Machine Co"..., electrified, circa 1910, disc hand wheel, high-mount rubber tire bobbin winder, side-mount foot. A real hodge-podge of things going on here. This one might be a candidate for a purple repaint....