My Green Singer 201-2 (a discussion)

[@flatheadcat]

I've always enjoyed your videos. Thanks

[@einars899]

I have only 3 Singer 201 machines. And it is nice to know I am not that much of a nerd. ;-) What I like is that they make a noise that is just a sewing machine noise. When more modern machines make noises like angle grinders with the gearbox full of gravel! Or a 2CV going flat out. It's just nice to turn around and use the table mounted old Singer. One of the "portables" is an heirloom from my father, and the one that injected this germ into my system. He did more sewing than my mother. Somewhat unusual for that time period ( 1960-80 ) where the female population dominated (sewing). Come on guys! Let's take it back!

[@jgoo4572]

I feel you! I think modern machines have a high electric motor pitch, and it’s hard to describe but a plastic gear hum, and smell. The old vintage machines have a solid feel, noise, almost like a trusty locomotive. Hart to put into words.

[@debraclogston9379]

They just feel good to use. Festivus!

[@louparsons]

Still here, watching with interest. I have slowly winnowed my collection of machines that were gathered in my first flush of enthusiasm, have the Sailrite LSZ, a couple different Kenmore free-arm machines, Singer 99 (really too small for the stuff I sew) and the Chikon CK-8BL triple-feed. If a 201 came my way, even now, I'd grab it. Another good video. And tuning for individual materials, thicknesses, threads are all part of the process. Thanks. YVR

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks for being a core part of the channel, Lou!

[@sarahhardy8649]

Yay. Looking forward to a home video and guest appearances from your furry overlord 😂😂

[@alp-1960]

Merry Christmas! I only have two 201's, one's a handcrank and the other is the 201-2 in its original no. 42 cabinet. Love them both.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Merry Christmas to you!

[@Doctor_Al]

Thanks for making this video. I, too, think that one is a little slow compared to the few I have. Maybe the foot controller? I think those are the finest straight stitch sewing machines ever crafted by human hands. A big part of that is the full rotary hook. An I easy way to tell which way a machine threads is that the thread goes in the groove side and comes out the scarf. Assuming the needle is correctly installed.

[@LearnMYOG]

Interesting that the Ultrafeed has the footprint of the vintage machines. Nice feature being compatible with the industrial table.

[@elizabethfreeman6737]

I love your green machine! I’m green with envy.

[@vitogriffin8902]

Nicely done

[@dlrigter1035]

If you take the round stitch regulator off the machine you can get a much longer stitch paired with non stick foot.

[@reiffs2000]

Thanks for info Jason! I have two Featherweights and a Consew 206-RB. I appreciate your transparent approach to your content and breadth of information. Have a Merry Christmas!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@vitogriffin8902]

That thing looks sick. Now I want one.

[@mikekollross8810]

Love the green

[@jgoo4572]

Some interesting fact that you might not be aware of: the first time I clicked on your video channel is because I spotted one of your custom painted sewing machines in the thumbnail. Now I watch your videos because I like the content, however, I really think you might be on to something untapped here. I bet you could start a business refurbishing vintage industrial machines with cool paint jobs. Just a thought!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks! I could probably pump one of these paint jobs out every three years lol!

[@alchavez5226]

Thanks for the table info Jason

[@RunningWater-ew2mv]

Still here bud, keep em coming! Seeing that machine again I’ve been tempted to paint one of my machines. They are all in pretty decent condition though so I almost feel that it’s sacrilege. Lol

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks for being here! Yeah, I'm picky about which machines I will "defile" with custom paint, although the truth of the matter is there are millions out there and they aren't likely to become valuable collector's items that are devalued from the paint job. And I guess if that happens, I'm making the original-paint ones more valuable for everyone else lol!

[@RunningWater-ew2mv]

@ haha! Yes you’re right there are millions of them . I’m glad I was able to get my hands on a few of these machines a few years ago before everyone thought they had a goldmine. I can still find a gem once in a while. The latest was a Pfaff 130 in fantastic condition for $50. Not a deal that shows up very often here around Seattle area. The idea of customer paint isn’t a new one but very few ppl indeed actually do it….. you might be on to something….🧐. Cheers bud, merry Christmas

[@RunningWater-ew2mv]

@ I remember seeing someone using proper car paint and doing like cherry sparkling and other crazy colors

[@jvin248]

From memory I found my 15-91 (oscillating bobbin) is faster than my 201 (rotating bobbin). I tend to like the Singer 15-91 better overall. They both have small-hole needle plates (so do well on thin materials) and great stitch control while doing eight layers of denim and medium leather like an industrial machine.

[@louparsons]

The only thing I don't like about my Sailrite LSZ is that you have no optional needle-plate; there are times when the walking foot is handy, but you're fighting that huge hole (for zig-zag) in the needleplate. I had to use JB Weld to modify a needle plate, works much better in those (admittedly rare) instances. And, if I remember right, Singer marketing made a differentiation between the 201 and 15-series; the 201 was for (home) artisanal work, the 15 was the 'farm wife's machine' that would sew pretty much anything you could get under the presser foot. YVR

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I really need to get my 15-91 functioning ....

[@engelbob8402]

Hi Jason. You mentioned the Singer 237 as being one of your favorites. Can you elaborate on the features of this model and why it stands out. Thanks for all you do for the vintage machine hobby.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! My 237 has been one of my favorites for years, here's a few reasons why: I only paid $20 for mine in excellent condition Because it uses the same bobbin and has the same footprint, it's an excellent partner with the Sailrite Ultrafeed It's one of (if not the) last all-metal-geared Singer machines It is great for light weight fabrics, but can sew reasonable layers of thicker materials There might be other vintage machines that tick the same boxes, but of the many I have experience with, it seems to hit a sweet spot for me. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!

[@connieworcester55]

Singer 237 fashion mate, also has 4 zig zag widths. and was made in Italy.. great machine. I have 4 of them now.. I also just picked up my 4th 201-2.. the first 3 were in really nice cosmetic condition, only had to re-wire the light and motor, and foot pedal, and adjust... most all vintage machines need re-wiring.. But this last 201 I just got (for free) was a mess, it was seized up from old varnished-up oil,. and the finish was a real mess. SO, I decided to paint it..! I sanded it, did 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of "deep forest" kind of a "teal," color towards the green side. and then I put a new set of water slide decals on, they were "original" 201 "remakes" for the 201... then I did 2 coats of clear. it looks awesome.. and it has the centennial badge.. But I agree with everyone, I would never paint a different color on machine that was in nice cosmetic condition. I didn't even know if this was going to end up a parts machine or not.. I took the motor all apart, the armature, the worm gear, soldered new wires on the field coil, I cleaned up the copper commutator. I also cleaned all the old varnished up oil throughout the machine. pulled out the bobbin case and the race. soaked in PB blaster for a few days.. reassembled the motor and everything else..and wowza, this 201 is really really FAST.. and such a beautiful stitch too.. Trash to treasure.. It's now my favorite machine, and I have about 30 machines now, "mostly Singers".. it's an addicting hobby, ya can't beat a vintage Singer.. amazing engineering.. Also for a pretty powerful machine, the 404 straight stitch is a pretty good on;. They were made around 1958 to 1960. a tan and cream color. all metal, the body is aluminum not cast iron. direct drive motor in the vertical post. not a bad machine..

[@engelbob8402]

@@thejasonofalltrades Thanks for the speedy reply, Jason. I understand fully where you are coming from.

[@engelbob8402]

@@connieworcester55 My, my, you are really into them. I enjoyed your input into all this. I have a 201K which is my go-to machine when a straight stitch is all that is needed. I don't know much about how to sew but I sure enjoy the vintage hardware.

[@angledcanoe]

I would love to see a restoration video, it would make for great content for your channel. Do you use any particular degreasing agent before painting? I would think sewing machines would be full of oil that paint might not stick to. What about surface rust, have you encountered any you had to deal with? Keep the videos coming!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I really do hope to make that video soon! I don't use a particular degreaser (I think I used Simple Green to clean the ones I have done so far), and the ones I have painted I sanded almost to bare metal, I haven't had any issues with paint sticking. Same with rust, any I have encountered has been easily sanded off. You wouldn't want me to paint your car, though 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@susancorvalan6765]

Merry Christmas Jason! Happy sewing in 2025!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thank you, and you too!

[@1208bug]

Merry Christmas Jason!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you!

[@fredhubbard7210]

I've been around your channel for a while. I almost cried when I saw this colour... on such a venerable machine. I got into used machines because of you. I now have too many machines, and three 201. They are so lovely. Two of them are 201-3, and the motors are weak,. It should be easy enough to replace, Do you have any recommendations? I love the looks of the Necchi BU series, but parts are a nightmare. The 201 on the other hand is easy because of the 211 cult.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks for sticking around, Fred! There's a motor that is supposed to be a direct replacement on 237s, I don't see why it wouldn't fit many other machines (maybe an adaptor might need to be fabricated). At some point I want to put one on my 237, but it's on a long list of things I've yet to get to. Here's a link (no affiliation) to the one I've been considering. Good news! The price is now $10 higher than it was years ago when I started thinking about it 😂 www.sewingpartsonline.com/products/alphasew-motor-and-foot-control-kit-fm190

[@jimfreeman7656]

Love it Thanks Jason

[@andriashevetz2888]

Love this post!!! Merry Christmas!!!! Just not the one for changing the colors of old Singers I guess it's ok . Love Singer

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Merry Christmas to you! To be fair, this one had such poor paint I definitely didn't make it worse by painting it this color 😂 Thanks for being part of the channel!

[@drumarks6638]

Jason, can you pass on a link for the table? I have two 201s, and i'd never thought about painting one, but now I'm gonna have to. They belonged to my Grandmother and my Dad had them electrified, but I'm converting at least one back to treadle. The table tho...that's awesome.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

If you click the Sailrite link in the description, just type "table" in the search field and it will pop right up. Thanks for watching!

[@connieworcester55]

you guys may already know this, ?? as for painting a machine, and plugging all the holes, they have tapered "silicone plugs" of assorted sizes on amazon. from about 3/16th of an inch up to ? 3/4 of an inch or an inch... it makes it SO EASY to plug the holes for painting a sewing machine.. On many vintage singers there are close to 30 holes in various sizes..if you get paint in a threaded hole , that would not be good.. I bought some and they work awesome, and being silicone, they are easy to get any paint back off of them before putting them back into the case they came in...

[@ScottyRockz253]

Long time viewer, love your channel, and love vintage machines. I own many 201s and other iterations with potted motors. I also have a consew walkingfoot machine in a table. I do not own a sailright, though, someday I would like to. What does the 201 offer you, that your sailright doesnt. Im intreged learning the footprint of the 201s and like machines fit the sewright table. Good food for thought. Look forward to your next video/s. Cheers S😎

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks for being part of the channel! I used the 201instead of the Sailrite for sewing the big tent because the 201 excels at sewing lighter weight fabrics, and the narrow foot of the 201 in particular provides a better view of the seam than the walking foot of the Sailrite. While it is certainly possible to sew ultralight and light weight materials with the Sailrite, to me that's like driving finishing nails with a framing hammer; sure, you can do it, but it isn't the right tool for the job. Incidentally, I failed to mention it, but you can also do the reverse and put a Sailright in a vintage Singer table. The ones I've tried it with wouldn't allow the machine to be folded down and stored, but for sewing it works quite well. Thanks for the question, and thanks for watching!

[@walterw9829]

Merry Christmas! One day you'll sew the hot air baloon. :-)

[@colemine7008]

Still here, not sure when I started watching you but it has been a couple of years now.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I truly appreciate you being part of the channel!

[@nmjerry]

I think some machines flip the thread on each stitch. 201 stitch is official US Army stitch.

[@cliftonmcnalley8469]

Once I subscribe to a channel, if I skip watching that channel for a few days - very short time frame - KZbin will stop dropping the videos into my feed. When I eventually remember to watch a video or two, YT will still not put the videos into my feed. I believe they are supposed to pay you more if we subscribe, so it seems they simply stop offering your videos instead.

[@JustsewJoeJones]

I painted my kenmore kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2m6aKCLmLB9pK8