When Mary came to fix her 99k over Labor Day, she was so excited to see the 306 all cleaned up. I offered it to her, but she would not take it. So, its mine and now I must find a cabinet for it. I did save the hardware from the original cabinet. I am not sure why.......
Betsy and I each found a 306 at the Auction last weekend. Hers is in much better shape than mine, which I am sure is a parts machine. I think that it was re-timed to take a 15 X 1 needle because I found a 15 X 1 needle in it when I brought it home. The experts on Vintagesingers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintagesingers/ believe that it is wrong to re-time the 206 306 319 to accept the 15 X 1 needle. As originally designed, these machines take a 206 X 13 needle. They are available, but not in all sizes and the double needle is no longer made. My 306K pictured here has one double needle in the goodies box.
I honestly had thought about posting this on eBay. This was the eBay picture. I can't do it now, not after I saw how excited Mary was that I fixed it all up. Honestly, I only thought I should sell it because I have so many machines.
Dont sell it! I have this same puppy. I even have the cabinet and bench and extra parts and original in the package double needle that all came with it. I bought on C's List for $100. It can do auto uphoulstry, so I imagine a leather jacket, no problem. I say this is one of Singer's best designed models and I have seen the stitch-pattern cogs for 2-3 dollars ea. on ebay. -Todd Homer
ReplyDeleteHI Todd
DeleteI did not sell it. It is now in the "museum." Collecting dust. I do dust them off once a week when I clean (do you REALLY believe THAT?). Seriously I do like this machine. It makes such lovely stitches AND IT CAN BE TREADLED!!!! My new favorite thing to do to old Singers. I have several of the "cams" Lucky Me.
Hi from Australia! I have one of these in a treadle electric in beautiful condition but it probably needs a new motor as smells of burning when started so haven't tried anything. I would love to know how to restore this properly. What website to purchase things from and how to do it? Can you help?
ReplyDeleteVenora
Sorry. I only know places in the states which are listed on the page Resources....
DeleteMargaret, You may want to rethink finding your 306 a new home. When the mother board fails on the Husqvarna, you will want a machine. I bet all the 306 needs is cleaning and oiling. Clean the metal on metal contacts with some denatured alcohol and apply new sewing machine oil.
DeleteThank you Elizabeth. I had cleaned and oiled it but I will try your method and buy some new oil. However I can't keep it as I have to downsize before moving to an apartment. If I get it working perhaps it will become saleable at least. I would dearly love to have another sew with it.
DeleteRegards...Margaret
I make mascots and often some of the more modern lighter machines have a lot of trouble with multiple layers of fabric. So when I saw my 306K for $40 in a second hand store I jumped!!!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it did not have a foot control and I was not able to find one.. so with a little (ahem) modification I was able to transplant one of my other machine foot controls onto to it. I have a lot of electronics experience.
It's a fantastic machine. Strong, reliable, and able to handle ANYTHING I push through it.
As it came with a box but no top I am currently searching for a cabinet for this.
This machine is older (not by much) than me and will certainly last the years. Nice to know I can convert it to a pedal too.
Je viens d'acheter pour 25$ une Singer 306k comme neuve avec son cabinet et petite chaise en plus il y a tout plein de pieds et 30 disques pour la broderie c'est un bijou j'en prendrai soin croyez-moi je l'ai huilée et cette machine fonctionne comme une neuve elle a été manufacturée en Grande Bretagne Par curiosité j'ai cherché sur EBay et une semblable se vendait 450$ et pas dans l'état de neuf comme la mienne Je suis vraiment contente
ReplyDeleteCourtesy of Google translate, for those of us who aren't sure of our French:
DeleteI just bought for $ 25 a Singer 306K like new with his cabinet and small chair in addition there are lots of feet and 30 discs for embroidery it's a gem I will care trust me I 'I oiled this machine works like new it was manufactured in Britain curiosity I searched on eBay and was sold a similar $ 450 and not in new condition like mine I'm really happy
I have a 306K which was given to me and I have had it for almost 20 years now. I really love it. I just did a little research and found out that its way older than me! I never knew I could check when it was manufactured through the serial number. I'll make sure that I take good care of it though I'm not too sure how. I had sent it once to be repaired and the technician told me to keep it clean always because it was the first time he had ever seen one here. He didn't think parts were easily available for such an old machine.
ReplyDeleteI just brought a lovely old 306k for $10 with all the feet and fashion disks from a garage sale... without the foot peddle... so i might treadle it.... so yippee.... need i say more...
ReplyDeleteI found a Tan 306K at Goodwill last week. Paid $35.00 for it, looks brand new, working light, purrs like a kitten. Has the original manual, all the cams and attachments and 4 packs of 206X13 needles (sadly no twin needle). It has the wood base but came in a trapezoid case like a 301- the case is also flawless and doesn't smell! The mystery is the serial number: no letter prefix, just numbers:173038 stamped on the casing for the front shaft underneath. The manual says 1954, and one site I found said that the earlier 306K's used the cams but the later ones didn't. So the question is, am I looking for the serial number in the right place? If you have one please tell me where your serial number is located. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe serial number is stamped on a brass plate and affixed to the machine under the left front. Tip the machine back and look should be there. Mine is.
DeleteHello, I just bought a 306k in a pawn shop for $20. I had no idea what it was because it was wrapped in saran wrap! To my surprise, the cams appear to be the same as those on my more modern Singer Merritt. Good thing because only one cam in on this machine. There were no parts, presser foot, bobbin case or needle. It did however come with 2 foot pedals, yay! I have become an old sewing machine addict and pick up one or two now and then. Nice to know I can treadle this one! Wish me luck locating a bobbin case, as I agree it is not proper to re-time a gem of this age.
ReplyDeleteBobbin case at Sew Classic and she sells the needles too. She will have the bobbins too. Time to get mine out and working again!
DeleteI took a 306K down to Belize and gave it to a tailor. He needs an internal metal part. Any idea where I might get something like that. I have a picture of the part. He welded it back together but it is not working well.
ReplyDeleteyou will need to find a parts machine. I just gave one to Sew Green in Ithaca, NY. http://www.sewgreen.org/
DeleteI love each and every one of my 7 306s! 3 beautiful, virtually mint Ks, and 4 crinkle finish Ws (Who aspire to be lovely, clean Ks)
ReplyDeleteAbout the needles, I have found that industrial DBx1 needles are an exact replacement for 206x13s. The only difference is that the DBx1s are round shank, while the 206x13s are flat shank. Singer developed the 206 and later 306 and 319 models from their industrial machines. (I've only ever seen a timing belt like the 306 has in an industrial machine) Their industrial machines took DBx1 needles, so it's my opinion that Singer simply ground a flat edge on a DBx1 to make the 206x13. The flat shank "technology" meshes into all their other domestic machines, and I think they did this to reduce confusion. So, how to mount a DBx1 in a 306? With a pair of tweezers across the flat scarfs, short scarf to the rear and make sure the tweezer is perpendicular to the feed dogs while you secure the needle screw. Works like a charm, it doesn't have to be exact to work, and you have a full range of needles to use! (Except for a double needle) These machines are too good to throw into the trash heap because of needles!!
This is great news. I have a whole bunch of DBX1 needles
DeleteI guess I should also mention that all my machines have the open sided bobbin case. I have actually never encountered a closed case in any of the 306s I have seen. But that shouldn't affect anything as the two needles are identical in length. I use both Groz Beckert and Organ DBx1 needles.
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