Trying to identify my Singer 211: Do I have a u166?

[arjon]

Hi everyone, new user here-  

I just want to say a quick thank you to the contributors here. Almost everything I know about sewing machines I learned from this forum. The amount of knowledge contained here is incredible. When I started looking around for a machine, it was only because of you guys that I knew what to look for, which brings me to this 211.

I got it from a lady who knew nothing about it, other than her husband used it for auto upholstery. It had been stored in a shed in rural Manitoba for many years, and it was horribly filthy, covered in varnished oil, rust and sludge, and would barely even turn over due to all the thread wrapped up in the hook & saddle area. I almost just walked away, but she was asking practically nothing, and she threw in a hand press, so I grabbed it because even if the machine didn't work it was worth it just for the press. I found service manuals here, read through every post I could find on 211's, I got it all cleaned up, bought a servo motor for it, and I'm happy to report it's sewing just fine. The only thing I don't know is what exact submodel it is. 

As you can see, it simply says "211" on the front, and "Made in Japan" on the back. It's a small bobbin machine with a manually oiled hook and it had the broken remnants of a thread lubrication system stuck in it. I've been using manuals for the U series, and it seems like this is probably a u166, but hopefully someone can confirm. 

I've tried searching the serial number (U834911071) on ISMACS but came up empty handed. 

Followup question: Does anyone know if I can replace the axle/spindle in the integrated bobbin winder? It spins but it's missing half the axle and won't hold a bobbin tightly enough to wind it. I have a table winder of course, but I'd really like to be able to use the integrated winder because it's super cool. I've searched all over for a replacement or info on how to fix it, but can't find anything. Any advice or suggestions are welcome. 

Anyway, thanks for reading, and happy new year to all!  

 

Edited December 31, 2021 by arjon

[Wizcrafts]

Aside from the top mounted bobbin winder it looks much like my 211G156. 

[arjon]

21 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

Aside from the top mounted bobbin winder it looks much like my 211G156. 

I have a manual for that machine that you uploaded on another thread and it is remarkably similar.

I see you're in Burton. My mom lives in Burton. I'm from Michigan originally, moved to Canada 13 years ago. With Covid I haven't been able to visit in a long time, maybe someday things will go back to some semblance of normal and I can visit my family again...