Meet Deborah, the 1950's Singer 306W

[@larryd3870]

Thanks for posting this! I just inherited my Mom's 306w. It's the machine that she used for my entire childhood. She bought it in about 1955. I've only ever used a modern Bernina, so this machine seemed quite scary. Your video shows me that it isn't scary at all. Thanks again.

[@Silverhaired59]

I am picking up one identical to this (even the cabinet handles are the same) this week. Someone was giving it away on FreeCycle. It was great to see what the cabinet and tabletop look like in good condition. The pictures show that my cabinet is dull and rough looking, so refinishing or refreshing may be in our future. It was good to hear that there is an actual foot pedal being operated by the knee lever, so that I can use a pedal instead, too! Thank you so much for the great instructions and for taking the time to show all the different quirks and functions this machine has. Liked, subscribed, and commented.

[@LeslieBigos]

Helpful! Thanks!

[@yvettetillema8773]

Thank you. I have this machine. I love her.

[@Texasrattie]

Thank you for this very helpful video ❤️

[@garydyarman5135]

My mother had this machine. In the same finish and I am old now (70) but I remember her sewing on it when she had it new. She got hers in the mid to late 50"s. Brings back memories!

[@redoak3809]

This can easily be converted to use standard needles. There are two styles of hook shuttles for this machine. One has the 2 locating pins at the top. This should be the best scenario and an easy fix. You can use a 20U bobbin case. If the shuttle has a single locating pin at 5 o'clock then you would need to modify the 20U bobbin case by cutting a groove into the side to make room for that single locator pin. Then you can use the standard 306 bobbin cases and the modified 20U bobbin case with 15x1 needles. You would still have the odd bobbins and many aftermarket 306 bobbins don't work well with the bobbin winder without modification, but these are great machines and worth modifying especially if you want a treadle machine with zigzag and decorative cams.

[@looloo4029]

When I bought my 306K, it was a bit noisy and clunky too. After a very big clean up and removal of tons of dust and debris from the bobbin area, I used my owners manual to locate every oiling point and give it a thorough oiling with brand new Singer Sewing Machine Oil. Suddenly, the noise was gone and it sewed beautifully and strongly with a perfect stitch. I was amazed at the immediate impact of a great clean and oil. My machine came in a carry case. It has a foot pedal but not a knee control. The extension table fits neatly into the top section of the case. It easily sews through 12 layers of jeans denim. I recently repaired my dog’s coat with the 306, reattaching heavy duty Velcro tabs to canvas. Nothing phases this astonishing machine. It puts my mid-80’s Husqvarna-Vikings to shame.😊 PS my 306 was built in Kilbowie, Scotland in September, 1958.

[@christinacyr1716]

I loved the samples your daughter prepared of the different 306k stitches because she used a different color for the bobbin. I had never seen the samples prepared like this (with two colors). So interesting!

[@anthonyiron4635]

I also have a 306k. I am the second owner so it is in great shape with all the disks. The first thing I did was purchase the 206x13 needles. I am awaiting a spring for the bobbin case as there was no adjustment left on the spring. I guess we are out of luck for reasonably priced twin needles. If you have any other videos on the 306 I would love to watch.

[@renderuthis]

That is pretty sweet, i can make cam on the 3d printer, hehehe

[@1953childstar]

The upper thread guide is "smashed" into the housing of the machine. It needs to be bent up. Look at the example in your instruction manual.

[@rhondamercado7527]

I noticed that too. And I guess I paid attention because I’m having trouble with my threads staying inside of mine.

[@davidjohnston4240]

I assembled a working 306W from two non working 306Ws. Lots of cursing was involved but it works fine now.

[@rhondamercado7527]

I recently acquired one of these models and right now as I’m trying to finish up the repair and maintenance on it I’m finding that the top thread guide keeps losing the thread as I’m sewing. I did a screenshot when, in your video, you show a close-up of the thread guide, and it looks totally different from the one on your machine. One is right side up and one is upside down, I wonder which is the correct way that it should be placed on the machine.

[@eldersandim3008]

Do you use SINGER Zig Zag 20U industrial model bobbin case? And the needles used are the common ones used in all home sewing machines? Or need to keep the needles shorter. Or do you use industrial straight sewing machine bobbin case?

[@dannyl2598]

I see several things that are identical in appearance to things in the Pfaff 230 from the same time period. I would love to know the back story. Thanks.

[@1953childstar]

Singer bought the rights from Pfaff in the 1930's before WW2. The stipulation was that there had to be "one difference" from the Pfaff #130, and that was the needle size. Most people do not realize that the lever is actually a "built in " buttonhole maker.

[@dannyl2598]

@@1953childstar thank you for satisfying my curiosity and the history .

[@1953childstar]

@@dannyl2598 I am glad I could "share the knowledge"….

[@jmc-xp6ml]

Could you show how to remove any snarled thread from the bobbin case?

[@user-tx8pg4ux4p]

Good afternoon, tell me what is the size of the drive belt in the car Singer 306m. Thanks a lot.

[@beakittelscherz5419]

Please do not open the table like this. It damages the Hinges! The doors should be opened and put under the clap table when unfolded...

[@kinagonzalez1804]

😮😮

[@cwilliams4227]

Singer 306. So wrong it's kinda right. Cool machine!

[@douglasmalthus]

Outro "problema" desta máquina é que a caixa de bobina é frontal vertical, em regra, os pontos feitos ao longo da costura por máquinas de costura com a caixa de de bobina na posição frontal vertical tendem a ser menos bonitos que os de máquinas com a caixa de bobina nas posições frontal horizontal, lateral horizontal e lateral vertical!

[@redoak3809]

One of my 306Ks doesn't have cams.

[@1953childstar]

That was an "Italian made" machine.. It has a more streamlined appearance.