I’m from the UK and have a 1956 model. It’s a wonderful machine which I could never part with. I can’t thank you enough for showing me how to oil it. It’s now running like the Rolls-Royce of Sewing Machines.
I recently purchased a 1939 featherweight and this video will come in handy. I found this video to be very thorough, easy to see the close ups and well thought out. I enjoyed Molly making an appearance as well. Thank you so much!
Beautiful machine and handy to know how to care for them. I have a 221K and looking now for this model -- 222K. Have become obsesed I'm afraid but they're so easy to love!
The Singer smell. Some of my best memories of childhood have to do with sitting with my mother while she sewed on her Featherweight 221 She got the machine for her 18th birthday before she went to study fashion at Pratt Institute. I have the machine now and I joke that in a fire its one of the first thing I would grab. That smell is iconic. When I open the case it take me to a happy place. Proust keep your madeleine
Ok, I confess..I knew Molly was going to feature on this video ( a big bird told me ) so I skipped forward, she is a sweetie. Now I am starting from the beginning. I think I shall get my own Featherweight out of the cupboard and have a play with it, love that sound and smell. Beautiful little machines.
Got one of these…selling for a friend. Have noticed though when you switch it on at a slow speed it sometimes doesn’t turn the belt, you hear buzzing but the belt doesn’t turn, it seems like the belt thing is slack. It goes very smoothly at high speeds and goes at slow speeds once it’s started off. Also a slight bit of smoke off it when first switched on but told it was normal because it hasn’t been used since it was professionally serviced in 2022
My 221K (230v UK 🔌 plug), that was a gift from a friend in Belgium, has the same smell. I think it's the animal glue they once used. I've read that if you change out the drip pan pad and thoroughly clean the pan before you replace it, that the smell is dramatically lessened and some have said disappears altogether. *Edited to add: I've also read it's also the case itself. My '54 222K doesn't seem to have this issue. Of course, it has a Canadian 110v motor, so I suppose the case might've been made at St. John's, Quebec also.
@@jennym007 Re-read my post. My 221K does have the smell and my 222K doesn't. Neither of my U.S.-made machines have the smell. I have 4 machines. Centennial 221K, regular 1954 222K, Centennial 221-1 and a 1953 221-1. The latter 2 being Made In USA 🇺🇸
@@InStitches I've never seen one come with any of my machines - boo hoo! :-( Like Dacuda 70 I rather like it too - that "thumb press" to dispense a drop action looks just the ticket. I've seen other old oil cans that came with machines, but never that one before. Did it come with a Singer or one of the other brands you work on? Ta... Megan
Can most featherweights be repaired? I have an opportunity to buy one that the owner states the needle won't move. I think I could fix it. Molly looks mad.
Generally they can be fixed. It sound like that one might be seized which can generally be fixed unless the hook and base is seized up. That can sometimes be difficult to free up. It could also be a fault with the motor which may mean it needs rewinding, in which case it could be an expensive fix. I would be checking if the motor is running and has plenty of torque. Thanks.
You don’t need to replace the capacitors, you can just remove them as they are no longer needed with digital TVs. I use Prescription motor/gear lubricant from the featherweight doctor as it has been specially formulated for the correct melting point for singer motors, the featherweight shop also sells it under their name. I wouldnt use anything else.
That's right, the capacitors are not needed to run the machine. I normally replace the capacitors to save a little arcing across the foot controller carbon discs which prolongs their life. It also helps stop interference when I use my AM radio, which I use daily.
I am having the same problem with my white Featherweight the belt keep running but no the needle, so if I remove the capacitador from the foot pedal that will solve the problem? No need to replace it?
@@carmencolon3520 have you tried to retighten the clutch wheel (small silver wheel inside the black/white hand wheel you have the belt attached to)? If the machine is running as soon as you turn on the power without touching the foot pedal - that means the capacitor has blown and you can remove the capacitor and the machine should run as normal with the foot pedal. I hope this makes sense and helps fix the problem so you can enjoy your FW again
@@carmencolon3520 oh that’s good news if it’s not running on its own (definitely not the capacitor) but that is a bit odd that the needle doesn’t move when you press on the foot pedal. 🤔it could be that the belt is too loose - does the needle go up and down when you rotate the hand wheel by hand? If it does by hand and not when you press the foot pedal - it could be the belt is loose and you just need to lower the motor a little bit. If yours has the orange belt they are well know to slip compared to the black belts. I would definitely recommend getting in touch with The featherweight Doctor here on UA-cam (Facebook/Instagram) if you send her a message, she will be able to talk you thru what is going off way more than I could. Her name is Darlene, she specialises in FW’s.
Why not use a suitable grease that meets the correct specifications (suitable for middle speed metal bearings of electric motors) that is not supplied by Singer? What is the argument against that?
I’m from the UK and have a 1956 model. It’s a wonderful machine which I could never part with.
I can’t thank you enough for showing me how to oil it.
It’s now running like the Rolls-Royce of Sewing Machines.
I recently purchased a 1939 featherweight and this video will come in handy. I found this video to be very thorough, easy to see the close ups and well thought out. I enjoyed Molly making an appearance as well. Thank you so much!
Thanks. Molly makes a good supervisor.
Beautiful machine and handy to know how to care for them. I have a 221K and looking now for this model -- 222K. Have become obsesed I'm afraid but they're so easy to love!
The Singer smell. Some of my best memories of childhood have to do with sitting with my mother while she sewed on her Featherweight 221 She got the machine for her 18th birthday before she went to study fashion at Pratt Institute. I have the machine now and I joke that in a fire its one of the first thing I would grab. That smell is iconic. When I open the case it take me to a happy place. Proust keep your madeleine
Oh my! I had no idea it was so small!it’s about the size of your hand. Thanks for video 😊
Ok, I confess..I knew Molly was going to feature on this video ( a big bird told me ) so I skipped forward, she is a sweetie. Now I am starting from the beginning. I think I shall get my own Featherweight out of the cupboard and have a play with it, love that sound and smell. Beautiful little machines.
This one awesome favorite machine. I have one 222K made in 1954. Paid £400 in U.K.
Awwww your machine has my birthday! Well not the same YEAR - I'm almost a decade younger - but the same day!
Thanks so much for this video. I have just got a 222k so happy
I just purchased a 222K that was manufactured in the same batch as this 222K! September 1954.
Got one of these…selling for a friend. Have noticed though when you switch it on at a slow speed it sometimes doesn’t turn the belt, you hear buzzing but the belt doesn’t turn, it seems like the belt thing is slack. It goes very smoothly at high speeds and goes at slow speeds once it’s started off. Also a slight bit of smoke off it when first switched on but told it was normal because it hasn’t been used since it was professionally serviced in 2022
Great detailed information, love Molly the cat coming to supervise. Greetings from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺
12:10 p.m. this is a dream machine. Would love to own this.
I just excepted one of these as a partial payment on a $200 job. Did I just score something???
Yes definitely they cost over $1,000 to buy here in Australia
Thank you so much for this video.
I absolutely adore your cat.
Today was at second time around seen a singer sewing 222k for 25.oo dollars get it
This is dream sewing machine. Very nice.
It really is! Thanks.
Fantastic job! Thank you so much!!
Good day Sir! If I may ask, what type of lithium grease do you use for the gears? Name of brand would help me geatly! Thank you in advance! Eduardo
My 221K (230v UK 🔌 plug), that was a gift from a friend in Belgium, has the same smell. I think it's the animal glue they once used. I've read that if you change out the drip pan pad and thoroughly clean the pan before you replace it, that the smell is dramatically lessened and some have said disappears altogether. *Edited to add: I've also read it's also the case itself.
My '54 222K doesn't seem to have this issue. Of course, it has a Canadian 110v motor, so I suppose the case might've been made at St. John's, Quebec also.
I've heard that the US made Featherweights have the smell dues used. The Scotfish Featherweights don't seem to have that smell (I own two).
@@jennym007 Re-read my post. My 221K does have the smell and my 222K doesn't. Neither of my U.S.-made machines have the smell. I have 4 machines. Centennial 221K, regular 1954 222K, Centennial 221-1 and a 1953 221-1. The latter 2 being Made In USA 🇺🇸
Great video, many thanks. I didn’t get what kind of grease you’re using for the gears?
It's lithium grease I'm using. Thanks.
Nine sewing machine where can I find the right cable
Where did you get that oil can. I love it
They came with the machines.
@@InStitches I've never seen one come with any of my machines - boo hoo! :-( Like Dacuda 70 I rather like it too - that "thumb press" to dispense a drop action looks just the ticket. I've seen other old oil cans that came with machines, but never that one before. Did it come with a Singer or one of the other brands you work on? Ta... Megan
Check with your local antique stores they might have them.
Can most featherweights be repaired? I have an opportunity to buy one that the owner states the needle won't move. I think I could fix it. Molly looks mad.
Generally they can be fixed. It sound like that one might be seized which can generally be fixed unless the hook and base is seized up. That can sometimes be difficult to free up. It could also be a fault with the motor which may mean it needs rewinding, in which case it could be an expensive fix. I would be checking if the motor is running and has plenty of torque. Thanks.
You don’t need to replace the capacitors, you can just remove them as they are no longer needed with digital TVs. I use Prescription motor/gear lubricant from the featherweight doctor as it has been specially formulated for the correct melting point for singer motors, the featherweight shop also sells it under their name. I wouldnt use anything else.
That's right, the capacitors are not needed to run the machine. I normally replace the capacitors to save a little arcing across the foot controller carbon discs which prolongs their life. It also helps stop interference when I use my AM radio, which I use daily.
I am having the same problem with my white Featherweight the belt keep running but no the needle, so if I remove the capacitador from the foot pedal that will solve the problem? No need to replace it?
@@carmencolon3520 have you tried to retighten the clutch wheel (small silver wheel inside the black/white hand wheel you have the belt attached to)? If the machine is running as soon as you turn on the power without touching the foot pedal - that means the capacitor has blown and you can remove the capacitor and the machine should run as normal with the foot pedal. I hope this makes sense and helps fix the problem so you can enjoy your FW again
@@bluedeva The machine only run when I touch the pedal. I will check the capacitor and the belt. Let's see what happens.
@@carmencolon3520 oh that’s good news if it’s not running on its own (definitely not the capacitor) but that is a bit odd that the needle doesn’t move when you press on the foot pedal. 🤔it could be that the belt is too loose - does the needle go up and down when you rotate the hand wheel by hand? If it does by hand and not when you press the foot pedal - it could be the belt is loose and you just need to lower the motor a little bit. If yours has the orange belt they are well know to slip compared to the black belts. I would definitely recommend getting in touch with The featherweight Doctor here on UA-cam (Facebook/Instagram) if you send her a message, she will be able to talk you thru what is going off way more than I could. Her name is Darlene, she specialises in FW’s.
Una máquina hermosa
I know that Singer smell. It’s a slightly musty, oily smell. I wonder if part of the unique smell is from the paint.
Where did you find this gem?
This is a customer's machine but I own one as well. I got mine from a garage sale (yard sale).
اجمل واخف وارقأء مكنة سنجر جمعة مابين الاصألة والمعاصرة
قمة الروعة والابداع من سنجر مأركة قوية وفعالة تمتاز بفن الابتكاروالتطور اللأ متنأهي
Que preciosidade
Why not use a suitable grease that meets the correct specifications (suitable for middle speed metal bearings of electric motors) that is not supplied by Singer? What is the argument against that?
Totally agree! The grease he used just will make a big and dirty mess!
Cheers 🥂
Very helpful
It looks like it was never used
Γειά σας θέλω έναν υμαντι
I couldn't agree with you more about the smell , the new machines made in china smell like crap , oh that's because they are !