RARE Singer 201K Rotary Sewing Machine RESTORED!

[@ritasroost]

I have had some family heirloom sewing machine just around here. finally bringing them out again and enjoying sewing with them. Poor things have been neglected...but they are seeing the light again...and your videos are inspiring me.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for sharing Rita. And yes, these old machines are happier when running and being used regularly. They get stiff if they sit too long.

[@drmichaelelinski6992]

You say you’re giving geeky details. I say you’re teaching us like a college professor. I like that a lot.

[@amysbees6686]

Gorgeous 201! Remarkable finish!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@abigailhowes5944]

I think that is identical to my mother's sewing machine! I learned to sew on that machine! I have been following you closely and I kept seeing machine that sort of looked like hers, but not quite the lamp is on the back, and it had the black etched metallic piece. Hers came in a bentwood case though and had a little compartment on the end of the case with a black metal cover. It had a bobin that is upright rather than drop in. She had all kinds of accessories for it including a buttonholer. I used to love watching her out buttonholes in garments.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

All Singer 201s are mechanically the same in terms of how they form stitches. The motor setup is what varies which is why some have the light mounted on the front (direct drive models) and others have the light mounted on the back (all models with rear mounted motors with belts).

[@drmichaelelinski6992]

I can truly feel the passion in your voice as you talk about your work with these machines. I learn a lot from you and I feel I can trust that you do a great job refurbishing machines. You move way up to the top of my list of vintage machine experts. Thank you.

[@gsr7772]

Wonderful video! I live in Canada and I am driving a couple of hours to pick up this model tomorrow. Can hardly wait to get it home and try it out on my next quilt!

[@artsanctuary6221]

Now i know why my 201k is in a treadle base. Thanks so much for the post.

[@CleverEwe]

I am thinking of putting my 15-88 in the #40 cabinet that the 201-3 came in and then putting the 201-3 into the treadle cabinet. The 15-88 is from 1940.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You're welcome. Yes, the great thing about the 201K is you can use it as a treadle machine or, like many of the later treadle models, you can use it electrically. Switching from treadle belt to electrical motor and motor belt is relatively easy.

[@drmichaelelinski6992]

Do any other machines, besides the 201 and 201K, fit into this walnut table so that the work surface is flush with the tabletop? I’m specifically thinking of the 201-1, 201-2, 66, and any other Singers. Would you be able to ship this machine and table to NY? I forget your location, but if you could only ship the machine, I could schedule a road trip to pick up the table, if you could hold onto it until we work out a mutually beneficial time. Thank you very much for your help, Michael

[@brontesworkshop5699]

I was gobsmacked when you mentioned your table... Looking closely I'm quite sure I have the same one! (not sure how it ended up in Australia) It's a black walnut veneer. I found mine with its original machine. A 'the free' brand long bobbin treadle. It looks kind of like a fold out desk. Unfortunately mine has a bit of water damage to the outer panels. I love it anyway and it's now in working condition. Your videos are fantastic and so much help! Thank you! :)

[@samstock6565]

So the cabinets are just veneer, I thought they would be solid from that era. Good to know when trying to restore one.

[@TrevorBrierley]

Hi i have a 1936 singer 201K, i have the light on the front and it should have a pot motor. the motor has been dropped with the machine and was badly damaged and removed, my question is can a fit a different singer motor, i understand that i would have to change the fly wheel. regards Trevor ( I've just started to repair and collect singer machines )

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi Trevor. No, unfortunately, the Potted Motor versions are engineered in such a way that you can't swap the motors. Fortunately, there are salvaged Potted Motors you can purchase to get your machine up and running. Oh, FYI, check to see what your stitches look like when all is put back together. 'Sometimes', dropping a machine can knock it out of time. This can be corrected so its not a huge deal but just be on the look out for that.

[@2ARights]

Thanks for your videos, your a wealth of knowledge. One suggestion is when you show the stitch quality up close hold it still for a few seconds. Would love to really appreciate the quality.

[@shaunm2208]

i have just bought the 201K what setting do you have for the long stitch

[@joygallienbarlow]

I have a singer 1941 built in NJ and have restored it with the help of my husband. Now I want to see with it but have arthritis. So my question is... Can I substitute some other needle bar without the necessity of getting 3 gadgets into it and then put in the needle. Is there a trick I am not getting? Please reply. jmbarlow

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello. Each machine design was specified with its needle bar specifically so there is no method to change that. When you mention 3 gadgets, I'm not sure what you are referring to unless you mean items like Buttoh Hole attachments etc. If its not convenient for you to install and uninstall attachments like that, you might try making button holes with another machine that can do them automatically and leave your 201 for beautiful straight stitches.

[@alannahartog7022]

I have a treadle 201k not an early 40s but late 40s it's working and has all og parts, need a few new parts to be completely useable but i'm excited to get it refurbished at home

[@elviradonaghy6425]

Do you still have the British 201?

[@sruss9114]

I live in New Zealand and just bought a 201K here for $40. It has a belt drive and a knee control - have you seen that combination? I haven't seen any videos showing the knee control

[@jewing6907]

E Russ Hi I live in Northern Ireland and have my mother's 201k with knee control. Absolutely love it. Great machine!

[@rspandit4786]

Thejasonofalltrades on here has a 201 with a knee lift, I think

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello. Yes, I have seen many Singers with the knee control. Most of these used the foot pedal which was placed into a slot that allowed a lever at kneel level to be pushed against the food pedals power button. Many could be taken out and used on the floor. This allowed Singer to satisfy the preferences of both foot and knee sewers with the same pedal that was flexible for different members of a family all of whom might have shared one machine in the home.

[@conradsmith9332]

Hey, what shop did you get it from I too am from nz

[@shaunm2208]

would the plate be parkerized ?

[@belindaleighfrazier8165]

What. Type and size thread do u use in your vintage machines?

[@CleverEwe]

I thought the 201K was made in Kilbowie, Scotland, had the wording "Made In Great Britain" on the top; yours says: Singer w/o the place of mfg. My 201-3 serial number begins with EE, made in 1947; purchased in 1948.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You have a great eye for detail! Most of the 201K's do in fact, have the lettering across the top that reads "Made in Great Britain". I double checked the serial number and it was in fact made at Kilbowie. My best guess is that any production during wartime was subject to more variations due to materials, labor, shortages or both. The effort of war production during those years is hard for any of us to fathom and there was quite a lack of products for sale for home use. Customers did not complain about "Blackside" metal finishes. (This machine has a mish mash of both nickel and blackside pieces. Inventories were unpredictable then and I suspect they might have sped the production for some reason. But I do know that all American 201's were only made with the potted motor design. Thank you for noticing the lack of the commonly seen decal for British production. Its the first one I've ever seen that did not have it.

[@CleverEwe]

Thank you for these facts. I am in the midst of preparing mine to sew some vinyl cushions for a friend's sofa. I bought my machine after reading about the speed and durability. I also have the 431G.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

431 G Models are very rare in the US as they were, just like British 201's, the most expensive option for consumers and Singer machines were already premium in price. Yes, your 201 should have plenty of power to sew that vinyl. FYI, 201's are not as happy using thicker threads. Singer 15 class machines are the most tolerant though I have used fairly heavy thread in my Singer 66. Your 431 will not be as friendly to thick materials like vinyl since it is more prone to breaking needles under that kind of stress. This is because of the slanted angle the needle is held at. Wonderful machine though and a real classic!!

[@CleverEwe]

I usually only use the 431G on woven cottons or poly/cotton blends. I respect the slant!

[@janiceboan5823]

How do I know your machines on ebay

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I don't offer them on Ebay because I cannot bring myself to ship them. The chance of serious damage is over 50 % and that is with proper packing.

[@janiceboan5823]

Thank you for your response. You are truly amazing and I appreciate the education I’m getting by watching. Keep up the great work! A sewing grandma at 65😊👍🏼

[@rndea100]

can you turn a treadle to eletric 201 uk /

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

It "might" be possible. It depends on whether your machine's body has a bolt hole drilled into it from when it left the factory. There as a period where consumers were gradually moving from Treadles to electric as it took a while for most homes to be retrofitted with electricity!! If yours does have that hole, there are kits you can purchase on Ebay that include motors, motor belts, and brackets. FYI, be sure to get one that is UK compatible for the voltage as I recall that the UK does not use the 110 voltage we have here in N. America.

[@socorrocorona2352]

You think you can help me ¿ Its also a pedal Machine as well.

[@socorrocorona2352]

I have a Singer Sewing Machine but it only has one needle and one bobbin. Model W58639 Pantente U.S.A AUG 2nd 92.

[@cristinafloressoza.1908]

Más información en español

[@rndea100]

shud defo do s video on the buttin holer if you still have it