Singer 306 Swing Needle
Singer 306K (Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland)
A beautiful black 1954 Singer 306K Swing Needle manufactured in Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland.
Singer 306W (Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States)
Tan 1956 or 1957 Singer 306W Swing Needle manufactured at the former Wheeler & Wilson plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Singer Lamp CAT.-S4
I took the Singer CAT-S4 Lamp apart and soldered in a new wire. The original bulb will be replaced with an LED bulb.
Motor BA3-8
I cleaned and rewired the motor, replaced the grease wicks and grease. Put it back together and tested it for function. The motor sounds and runs better than it did when I started. The BA3-8 is not the smoothest or quietest motor Singer made, but it’s easy to work on and dependable when maintained correctly (this motor had not been maintained well).
New bobbin case and bobbins
The original bobbin case (part# 105032) for the Singer 306 Swing-Needle machines required the use of 206×13 needles. The 206×13 needles are still being manufactured, but the selection is limited. This machine didn’t include a bobbin case or bobbins so I ordered a replacement bobbin case (part# BC-DBZ(3)-NBL6). The new bobbin case is based on the bobbin case used in the Singer 20U light industrial sewing machine, and allows the use of the core common household 15×1 sewing machine needles.
The 306 uses standard class “L” bobbins. The ones I purchased are a cast aluminum. They look good, but the center hole is too tight to fit on the bobbin winder post without using far more force than I’m comfortable using on this machine. I will probably open the hole up a little to make them more usable, but that really isn’t something you should need to do on a new part.
Please Note: The bobbin cases for early Singer 306 Swing-Needle machines are not interchangeable with the bobbin cases for the Singer 319 Swing-Needle machines. There are alignment pins in the hook carrier that are located in different positions for the two machines making them incompatible. It’s my understanding (though I have not seen it in person), that the later 306 machines use the same bobbin case as the 319.
Motor and lamp test
The motor and lamp have been tested and are safe for use. I’ll finish up the cleaning and make a few adjustments before it goes back to the person who loaned it to me. I do have a model 306 Swing-Needle of my own, and you can expect an in depth article covering this 306K and my 306W in the near future.
Specifications
| Brand | Singer |
| Model | 306 Swing-Needle |
| Manufactured By | Singer |
| Made In | 306K – Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland 306W – Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States |
| Years Produced | 1954 – 1961 |
| Hook Type | Rotary |
| Bobbin | Class “L” |
| Bobbin Case | Part# 105032 |
| Needle System | 206×13 |
| Foot Type | Low shank |
| Construction | Cast Aluminum |
| Construction Drivetrain | All metal |
