Currently have mine set up on a home made sewing top mounted to a desk frame with an industrial servo motor. It doesn't need anywhere close to that much power but the precise low speed control lets me concentrate on trying to avoid all the other newbie mistakes I'm making.
I was looking for a 206 to Treadle but think I purchased a rough one, today. It seems all works, though. Need some help w/ bobbin case and bobbins. It is all metal inside unlike my 306K that has that belt.
@@redoak3809 The 206 uses the same belt. Modern replacements are available but expensive. I've had both and the 216 is a much nicer machine. My 306 went with me to the Philippines because it's lighter and has the option of using different cams. Honestly though the zig zag is the only one I really use, followed by multi-stitch ZZ and I've used the blind hem once. With the time it took me to figure out how to use it I could probably have done that quicker by hand.
@@joekahno My 306K doesn''t have Cams. The 216G is really nice but it doesn't have a badge. There is no internal belt like the one in the 306. I had heard that some of the earlier German 306s didn't have cams but this is from Scotland. It is in much better condition and lighter than the 216G that I have which I initially thought was a 206.
@@redoak3809 I've seen a 319 that didn't use an external cam, just the ones built in. I can't recall seeing a 306 that didn't use the external cam. The 206 used just the built in zig zag feature. I believe the German built 316g had a spot for the external cam and didn't use a drive belt. The early fifties were sort of the peak for Singer and a lot of other machines. That's when they started getting competition from Asia and had to start re-engineering to reduce cost. By the seventies most clothing was being imported from countries where labor was cheap and sewing had been reduced to hobby status. Fortunately there are enough of these fine vintage machines still around that it isn't hard to find one that will last as long as you or I will with a little care.
Really nice, thanks for your video! I bought a 216G yesterday for only 20€ but i have to wait until sunday to bring "her" home... and hopig she sewes my wedding dress well😅. Best regards from austria!
Thanks! I haven't tried mine on lighter synthetics like nylon or polyester. It will be interesting. So far I've been using Gutermann polyester thread with good results. If you didn't get a user manual there is a scanned copy available online with a little searching.
I just purchased what I believe is one of these machines. The body paint is a little rough but I want to degunk it and put it in a treadle cabinet. Out of the 3 German machines you present mine identifies closely to the 216. I oiled it a little and put some sewing machine oil on it and removed the motor. The motor still worked but certainly wasn't safe and would need rewiring... but I want to treadle the machine, anyway. It has the hand wheel. I thought I was buying a 206 but now I think it is a 216G for sure even though no badge, just the serial number. The serial number is PC017427. Not sure how to thread it, etc. It looks like the needle has to be unscrewed from the front. Is that how yours works? What bobbin and bobbin case do you use? I am hoping to use this and that it will be smooth once cleaned. Please provide any tips. Thanks!
The needle set screw is the small one facing front. Get a screw driver a little bit large and sand it down until it fits the slot exactly. The Germans must have thought everybody would do this. If the screwdriver isn't a perfect fit the tiny slot wears out. It uses standard 15x1 needles and a 15 class bobbin in a right hand bobbin case with the leg that points towards 1 o'clock. This was actually a standard for German machines before Singer started using it. You can download a manual for it from www.manualslib.com/manual/978325/Singer-216g.html
@@redoak3809 I've found that a Singer 20u bobbin case works fine with the OEM bobbins and allows use of standard needles with no problems. ua-cam.com/video/2_C1h2nXRtc/v-deo.html
No belt, it uses a mechanical linkage to drive an oscillating hook like the 15 class only with a right angle drive so the bobbin case faces the operator.
It seems I got a little aggressive in the editing process and clipped the part about a local thrift store having a moving sale. I'll try to do better on future videos. If I'm going to err, I'd rather err on the side of brevity.
I inherited a 216g it needs new wiring it has a Westinghouse motor on it I dot know much about it any ideas where to start fir wiring I am in California
The original Singer motor bracket for this model is an aluminum casting. The wires feed in from the plug under the hand wheel and out the other side to the light. It sounds like this is a replacement motor. The ones originally sold in Germany were mostly 220v. Check other YT videos on rewiring vintage sewing machines until you find a close match for your setup. It isn't terribly complicated. One tip, the first time you try to power it up, don't plug it directly into the wall. Use a switchable power strip instead. Much easier to shut off if something isn't right.
@@janetsweeden6203 That's what most people do. Try to get one that comes with a mounting screw. Most of the replacements come with a sheet metal motor mount and the original screw is long enough it won't tighten down properly. Try the screw in the machine body by hand first to make sure the thread size is right. Singer started making machines before there were "standard" thread sizes and later stayed with their own dimensions for compatibility with the older machines.
Be careful what you wish for. As it happens, this machine is going on ebay soon, probably at too high a price. But a funny thing happened. Before I could do that the sneaky little beast sent out the "call of the Singers" and *another* one landed on my doorstep. It was gunked up with dried oil until it would barely turn. I'm cleaning it up mechanically but really don't have the time to make it pretty. It's also heading for eBay, at a much lower opening bid.
@@redoak3809 It's a wonderful machine. My 306 might be a tiny bit more useful but the 216 has a much better feel. If I had the two set up side by side, any job that could get done on the 216 *would* get done on the 216. That's about 95%+ of everything I sew. But I'm returning to the Philippines, (I'm there now). Shipping is insane and ten pounds difference in my baggage allowance is *HUGE*. The 306 went home with me because it's almost as nice and twelve pounds lighter.
I got one on a treadle table, and I love mine. Even came with the german manual!
Currently have mine set up on a home made sewing top mounted to a desk frame with an industrial servo motor. It doesn't need anywhere close to that much power but the precise low speed control lets me concentrate on trying to avoid all the other newbie mistakes I'm making.
I was looking for a 206 to Treadle but think I purchased a rough one, today. It seems all works, though. Need some help w/ bobbin case and bobbins. It is all metal inside unlike my 306K that has that belt.
@@redoak3809 The 206 uses the same belt. Modern replacements are available but expensive. I've had both and the 216 is a much nicer machine. My 306 went with me to the Philippines because it's lighter and has the option of using different cams. Honestly though the zig zag is the only one I really use, followed by multi-stitch ZZ and I've used the blind hem once. With the time it took me to figure out how to use it I could probably have done that quicker by hand.
@@joekahno My 306K doesn''t have Cams. The 216G is really nice but it doesn't have a badge. There is no internal belt like the one in the 306. I had heard that some of the earlier German 306s didn't have cams but this is from Scotland. It is in much better condition and lighter than the 216G that I have which I initially thought was a 206.
@@redoak3809 I've seen a 319 that didn't use an external cam, just the ones built in. I can't recall seeing a 306 that didn't use the external cam. The 206 used just the built in zig zag feature. I believe the German built 316g had a spot for the external cam and didn't use a drive belt. The early fifties were sort of the peak for Singer and a lot of other machines. That's when they started getting competition from Asia and had to start re-engineering to reduce cost. By the seventies most clothing was being imported from countries where labor was cheap and sewing had been reduced to hobby status. Fortunately there are enough of these fine vintage machines still around that it isn't hard to find one that will last as long as you or I will with a little care.
Really nice, thanks for your video! I bought a 216G yesterday for only 20€ but i have to wait until sunday to bring "her" home... and hopig she sewes my wedding dress well😅. Best regards from austria!
Thanks! I haven't tried mine on lighter synthetics like nylon or polyester. It will be interesting. So far I've been using Gutermann polyester thread with good results. If you didn't get a user manual there is a scanned copy available online with a little searching.
I just purchased what I believe is one of these machines. The body paint is a little rough but I want to degunk it and put it in a treadle cabinet. Out of the 3 German machines you present mine identifies closely to the 216. I oiled it a little and put some sewing machine oil on it and removed the motor. The motor still worked but certainly wasn't safe and would need rewiring... but I want to treadle the machine, anyway. It has the hand wheel. I thought I was buying a 206 but now I think it is a 216G for sure even though no badge, just the serial number. The serial number is PC017427. Not sure how to thread it, etc. It looks like the needle has to be unscrewed from the front. Is that how yours works? What bobbin and bobbin case do you use? I am hoping to use this and that it will be smooth once cleaned. Please provide any tips. Thanks!
The needle set screw is the small one facing front. Get a screw driver a little bit large and sand it down until it fits the slot exactly. The Germans must have thought everybody would do this. If the screwdriver isn't a perfect fit the tiny slot wears out. It uses standard 15x1 needles and a 15 class bobbin in a right hand bobbin case with the leg that points towards 1 o'clock. This was actually a standard for German machines before Singer started using it. You can download a manual for it from www.manualslib.com/manual/978325/Singer-216g.html
@@joekahno You are awesome! Thank you. I am thrilled that it uss standard needles unlike the 306 (which i will adapt somehow).
@@redoak3809 I've found that a Singer 20u bobbin case works fine with the OEM bobbins and allows use of standard needles with no problems. ua-cam.com/video/2_C1h2nXRtc/v-deo.html
Does it have a nylon created belt like the 306 and 319?
No belt, it uses a mechanical linkage to drive an oscillating hook like the 15 class only with a right angle drive so the bobbin case faces the operator.
@@joekahno thank you
It seems I got a little aggressive in the editing process and clipped the part about a local thrift store having a moving sale. I'll try to do better on future videos. If I'm going to err, I'd rather err on the side of brevity.
is there a way to make the stiches longer on the 306 ?
I inherited a 216g it needs new wiring it has a Westinghouse motor on it I dot know much about it any ideas where to start fir wiring I am in California
The original Singer motor bracket for this model is an aluminum casting. The wires feed in from the plug under the hand wheel and out the other side to the light. It sounds like this is a replacement motor. The ones originally sold in Germany were mostly 220v. Check other YT videos on rewiring vintage sewing machines until you find a close match for your setup. It isn't terribly complicated. One tip, the first time you try to power it up, don't plug it directly into the wall. Use a switchable power strip instead. Much easier to shut off if something isn't right.
Thanks fir replying this may be more than I am up to doing would it be easier to just get another motor with the foot pedal with it?
@@janetsweeden6203 That's what most people do. Try to get one that comes with a mounting screw. Most of the replacements come with a sheet metal motor mount and the original screw is long enough it won't tighten down properly. Try the screw in the machine body by hand first to make sure the thread size is right. Singer started making machines before there were "standard" thread sizes and later stayed with their own dimensions for compatibility with the older machines.
Thanks so much for the help that is what I’m going to do because she is a little beauty
Thanks so much for the help that is what I’m going to do because she is a little beauty
Man i would love to have that machine , very nice ..i mean thats a piece of junk you should ship it to me ....lol
Be careful what you wish for. As it happens, this machine is going on ebay soon, probably at too high a price. But a funny thing happened. Before I could do that the sneaky little beast sent out the "call of the Singers" and *another* one landed on my doorstep. It was gunked up with dried oil until it would barely turn. I'm cleaning it up mechanically but really don't have the time to make it pretty. It's also heading for eBay, at a much lower opening bid.
@@joekahno ad whats the starting bid , or is there a buy it from me before sbay price ?
@@4486xxdawson Will post a link as soon as I have it up. Probably late afternoon today.
@@joekahno Why aren't you happy w/ the machine?
@@redoak3809 It's a wonderful machine. My 306 might be a tiny bit more useful but the 216 has a much better feel. If I had the two set up side by side, any job that could get done on the 216 *would* get done on the 216. That's about 95%+ of everything I sew. But I'm returning to the Philippines, (I'm there now). Shipping is insane and ten pounds difference in my baggage allowance is *HUGE*. The 306 went home with me because it's almost as nice and twelve pounds lighter.
Are you selling this?
I sold it a couple years ago. It was too heavy to take with me to the Philippines.