My new project 221k!

[b15erk]

Thanks to a link from Mme Cholet I was led into Gumtree and it's mysteries.  It pulled up a 221k only 5 mins away from me for £300!!  Now to me, that seemed a lot.  So, over the course of yesterday, I negotiated a better price.  It's not an amazing bargain, I got it for £150, but it's mine, and it's the one machine I've really wanted for a while.  (Unless a White 222k comes along that is).

She is missing her tray (inside the box), and will need a good clean and tidy up before I can see what's what. 

Any Featherweight tips I should know?

Mrs Happy this morning:)

 
Jessie

[StitchinTime]

Great negotiating skills! I think 222 machines only came in black, so that might be good news for you.

I've acquired a set of Featherweights over the years, but all could do with being checked over before I use them regularly. My last one was a 222 which had wiring for plugging into a light fitting. This was from a regional charity shop via Ebay, so I didn't mind paying, what was then, the high side of the going rate.

[LeilaMay]

I recommend taking a look at the video tutorials on this site
https://singer-featherweight.com/pages/about-us

you'll find them under the 'schoolhouse' tab. They are really generous with their knowledge.

Old Featherweights may have dodgy internal wiring - if so and if you are UK (?) then Helen Howes can arrange a rewiring for you
http://www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/index.html

Hope that helps for starters  Enjoy

[BrendaP]

If you don't want burned fingers change the light bulb for an LED one.

[Efemera]

There's a FB group
https://www.facebook.com/singerfeatherweight/?fref=ts

I found it useful... I have a white 221 and a black 222

[Bodgeitandscarper]

I keep looking at featherweights - I must resist... I must resist...
... or at least until I have my sewing room and see if there will be room for one...

[b15erk]

Well, I've had a bit of a look.  Plenty of feet and bobbins (mostly hemming feet), needles - even an unopened needle threader!  The tray is missing from the box, and some of the trim has come loose at the bottom of the box.  The machine itself looks in reasonable condition, but will get a thorough cleaning before it is used.

I've tried Helen Howes for a tray, but can't see one atm, and it isn't urgent.

Brenda P, do you have a part number for the Led lights please?  I can see how it could be a problem due to the position of the light.

Off to do a bit of work now..... 

Jessie

[arrow]

I don't think trays come along that often. I have read not all the cases originally were equipped with a tray, but hard to tell now 50 years later. I guess it's possible to make your own if you know someone who has one.

This is a video for some of the tricky parts with the 221. I have bumped into several threads on how it's stuck and they can't find anything wrong. Apparently it can freeze up or misbehave and you have to know how to go through the check points thoroughly to sort it out. It will save an unnecessary trip to the service shop.

[Efemera]

The guy who runs the FB group does maintenance workshops but he's in the USA but he will answer any questions asked on FB.

[b15erk]

A bit of info from Helen Howes ref the inside tray. Apparently, the later models (mine's 1953), don't always have the tray, so I'll work with that for now.

I was watching some videos (thanks Leila May), from the Featherweight Shop, really useful information.  But, while I was there, I noticed this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wydZiJZ5pgg

Amazing information, regarding the total cleaning, oiling and greasing of a Featherlight.  I can see that I'll be referring to these videos a lot.

I've already started my wish list, at the top of which is a low shank buttonholer with templates.  That's Christmas taken care of!

Jessie

[BrendaP]

Brenda P, do you have a part number for the Led lights please?  I can see how it could be a problem due to the position of the light.

Jessie

I bought these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XF325CG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
One is in my Featherweight and the other in my 201K.

Just be sure that you get the right fitting, a small bayonet cap (small BC)  not a small Eddison Screw

[Bodgeitandscarper]

You ladies are so naughty with your talk of featherweights!!  I just may have been looking - is it worth buying one for £65 despite it having no bobbin case or pedal?

[arrow]

...is it worth buying one for £65 despite it having no bobbin case or pedal?

I'm leaning towards a yes. You will of course have to track down the missing parts and they add a bit to the cost. I guess at least anther £40-50 unless you are lucky. If it's nice looking and perhaps you can test run it with a borrowed pedal, it's within what I would take a chance on (well knowing it might need cleaning and oiling). It might need full rewiring, and it will add to the cost. As long as  you are aware of the type of work you take on, there shouldn't be anything stopping  you.

I don't know about prices in the UK, but there they tend to go for equivalent of £150 in just a few days. The last one I noticed at that price was complete with case, pedal and I assume bobbin case was there too. They turn up far less frequent around here than UK; one or two a year at most my area.

If you could use a portable machine the Featherweights are nice, but if you want a nice machine to work on at home, a full size machine in a cabinet or table comes off as much more practical. My 201 in a treadle type table, but converted to electric motor and it's a joy to work on.

[BrendaP]

Bobbins and bobbin case for a Featherweight are available through Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bobbins+for+singer+221

Helen Howes is probably the best source for a foot pedal.