Ha ha.
They don't tell you to oil the whole machine as you could do something silly like flood the thing with oil which gets on to the wires and then BANG.
Then you blame Elna and they get a bad name.
If you can use a screw driver you can oil it all.
A well oiled machine is not one that is over oiled.
It is one that has just enough to lubricate it.
Like One drop only on the moving parts.
Use Q tips for cleaning and mopping excess oil.
You can al so use a cheap 12mm paint brush to de fluff it.
It is a pleasurable task if not rushed.

I got bored on holiday last week and I simply had to do something.
So I went to the sewing shop and bought all the fabric , scissors, pins, brown paper for making patterns, etc etc and ....erm  ..... a Singer Start sewing machine!
Oh dear another SM to the collection.
Well what a machine!!!
I had often passed them by and wondered what they were like.....well now I know.
I made a warm coat with with felt wadding and lining with it.
Its quite cold in Oz right now.
It cost $99 Australian dollars which is about £55 quid over your side.
I was amazed how this little thing sewed some really thick seams reaching 5 layers of heavyish material.
It has three straight stitches,four zig zags, a fancy stitch and 4 step button hole.
The acid test for a modern machine is...
Can it do a decent button hole?
A huge resounding YES to that one.
I have a photo of it I was so impressed.  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]    [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
Wall shattering applause to Singer for coming out with this one.
It is a little cutey.
Yep...its a featherweight with zig zag and does a mean button hole.
Normally one side of the hole is zig zagged to differing lengths.
This little baby has it right.
And people ask....whats the best machine for a beginner.
Heres your answer.
Cheers
Pete

I have opened this thread under Vintage machines as the Singer 201 is known to be the perfect stitcher. Crickey I have started something now......TAKE COVER!!!
I am of course aware that other older, newer and different brands can as well.
But can some one please define what exactly is a perfect stitch?
I have googled it and dozens of replies say when the tension is even on both sides thats perfect.
Lets go deeper.
I have noticed with some machines that each stitch although in a straight line is slightly angled.
Other machines can sew the stitch dead straight.
My 201 sews in a straight line ( with some of my help) but the stitches are at a very slight angle to each other.
I think this is common with a lot of machines.
Is this stitch still referrred to as perfect or to be perfect must the stitch be dead straight as well?
Sorry to be OCD about this but I would like to know what is meant by the perfect stitch.
Its only because I am striving to set my tensions on my 201 to optimal and I am a bit of a machine loving geek who loves to tweek.
Also, I have been asked to post some pics of what I have made so under which heading should I do that please?

Peter

That sounds exciting Brenda.
See you have some 221s as well.
They are  fetching $1000 over here now.
I remember not so many years ago picking them up for 60 quid, tart them up a bit and move them on.
I am kicking myself now for parting with them.
I think they are the cutest and quitest of any electrically powered machine.
I am lucky.
My new toy ( 1958 Singer 201P 23 ) is pretty much pristine.
One owner from new now RIP and only used to repair the odd clothes.
The only downside was the wiring was lethal.
I have completely rewired it and it now runs beautifully.
I have restored a few of them before.
If your Singer has a spoke type flywheel and hand crank I will be interested in those items.
It will be nice for me to have H C facility for the delicate stuff.
Pete