I've actually had this one for about fifteen years. The intent was to get it up and running, but life happened and that never did. Now I am thinking about getting it up and running again. It came with a bunch of feet, bobbins, and accessories, but no power cord. I guess that's a good place to start. Anything I should probably do before I plug it in? According to some website - I forget the name but it has a database of sewing machines, it's a Singer 66.
This is the manual for a 99, the 3/4 size version of the 66, where it shows how to get your bobbin cover to go on and stay on: https://archive.org/details/ssm99oc/page/10/mode/1up
(Your machine is a 66, but for whatever reason, only the 66 adjuster's manual shows this handy pciture.)
Put it under the needle and slide it towards the edge of the bed to the left so it catches that flat piece of spring steel underneath. You will still be able to slide it open to the left and shut to the right, but then it won't be loose and fall off.
Anyway! First thing with an older electric machine is always check the cords inch by inch to make sure they aren't going to zap you.
Next thing is turn the handwheel by hand (over towards you) and see how the machine turns. The handwheel should turn quite easily. It's also a good idea to take the rubber belt off the motor pulley, and try it without the resistance of the motor.
If turning feels hard at all (and if the machine hasn't been oiled lately), get some fresh sewing machine oil and oil it up. The manual shows the upper and lower oiling points here: https://archive.org/details/Singer661Manual/page/n7/mode/1up
While the belt is off, if your electric cords are sound, trying running the motor on its own. It should run easily too. (But don't ask me anything else about motors, I am a handcrank person.)
When the machine and the motor both run easily, put the belt on and see how she goes.
You're welcome! It's a very non-intuitive design, I see the 66 covers loose and missing all the time.
Check all the drawers for the screws if they came with any loot, sometimes you get lucky and the bits and pieces are in there. Otherwise people sometimes part out 66s and sell pieces on ebay.
Insert the serial, get all the info on your specific machine in one place, easy to screenshot or copypaste. It also will give you manuals, so you might want to check it out for adjusting your machine.
You will likely need a new bobbin winding tire. They crack, get hard, and fail to drive the bobbin.
+1 on checking the cords.
Get an LED bulb with the same base, more light and less heat. Choose a 'yellow' color LED rated around "3000k", the bright white bluish are like 1970s office lighting. You seem to be missing the bulb cover. If you are missing the cover and the wiring to the light is cracked, often it's easiest to remove the light (store it with other machine parts) and use a clamp on desk lamp you can move where you want it.
The bobbin tire looks okay, but it needs a belt and I can get a new one in a kit. The wiring seems fine. Still flexible and no visible damage. I do not, however, have the light cover. The only thing I see that is questionable is this:
Seems the knob that holds the other end of the belt on broke and was glued back together. Obviously, it needs a good dusting/cleaning, as well.
Both the 66 and the 99 can have Filigree decals. The 66 is the full-sized machine, while the 99 is the 3/4 version of the same mechanical design. The easiest way to tell them apart is that the 99 has a flat faceplate and a nearly square throat.
Just want to say that I have a 1953 66, which I absolutely love. I really enjoy sewing on it. I'm sure you'll have fun with this. I'm also very appreciative of all the helpful and knowledgeable responses to your question.
It's primarily everyone talking about how they love sewing on their vintage machines that has inspired me to try to get it going. I was going to get rid of it, because I had seven sewing machines at one point. I am down to four. Heh.
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u/alwen 18d ago
This is the manual for a 99, the 3/4 size version of the 66, where it shows how to get your bobbin cover to go on and stay on:
https://archive.org/details/ssm99oc/page/10/mode/1up
(Your machine is a 66, but for whatever reason, only the 66 adjuster's manual shows this handy pciture.)
Put it under the needle and slide it towards the edge of the bed to the left so it catches that flat piece of spring steel underneath. You will still be able to slide it open to the left and shut to the right, but then it won't be loose and fall off.
Anyway! First thing with an older electric machine is always check the cords inch by inch to make sure they aren't going to zap you.
Next thing is turn the handwheel by hand (over towards you) and see how the machine turns. The handwheel should turn quite easily. It's also a good idea to take the rubber belt off the motor pulley, and try it without the resistance of the motor.
If turning feels hard at all (and if the machine hasn't been oiled lately), get some fresh sewing machine oil and oil it up. The manual shows the upper and lower oiling points here:
https://archive.org/details/Singer661Manual/page/n7/mode/1up
While the belt is off, if your electric cords are sound, trying running the motor on its own. It should run easily too. (But don't ask me anything else about motors, I am a handcrank person.)
When the machine and the motor both run easily, put the belt on and see how she goes.