A lot of the old ones were designed for cabinets because they were so heavy, I bet mine weighs close to 50 lbs. Sometimes you can find a good one at a thrift store, that has a case that could be used instead of a cabinet. Mother and I have bought numerous ones with cabinets for less than $35.00 at thrift stores.
Good Luck on your hunt,
Susan

I have 2 old Singers that would fit the bill. Both are all metal, direct gear-driven instead of using belts (much stronger), they have a ton of space under the throat, and boy do they purr :)

Look for a Singer 201 or a 15-91. There were literally millions of these machines made, and judging from how many I've seen in the thrift stores around here just in the last couple years that I've been interested, they are still very readily available. Tell everyone you know you are looking for old black Singer sewing machines, and I guarantee they'll start arriving. I've been given 4 or 5 in the past year or so that have been cleaned up and passed on to others that I knew might enjoy them. I've got to tell people to stop giving them to me because I no longer know anyone who needs one and I have no more room!

They both use bobbins and needles that are sold everywhere and virtually never need servicing. Just keep them clean and oiled, and they will run forever.

I got the 15-91 at a thrift shop for $25. The 201 I bought out of the paper for $75. They are both in fantastic condition with the deals almost perfect, in beautiful cabinets and no rust whatsoever. DH did have to rewire the foot controller on one because the wires were deteriorated. It took about an hour and $2 worth of cord from Lowe's.

I've also got a model 66 and a model 99k. These are also great machines, belt driven so not quite as strong as the others, but they are also quality machines. Generally, if it's old and black and has a Singer logo, I don't think you can go wrong :)

Good luck on your search!

You could look for a Singer 401 or 500. No plastic, gear-driven machines that can do a number of different stitches. I have a 500A myself. I think I paid $55 on Ebay. You can check the thrift shops too or maybe Craigslist.

Thanks Laura... Great ideas on sewing machines. What beautiful specimens. Thos had the exact look I am going for! What is the difference between the 201 and the 15-91? And, why did Singer use that wierd looking foot control instead of the metal open style? Just curious! Caseys... I use Craigslist for a number of things already and it never crossed my mind to seek a sewing machine there. Just posted under the wanted category! Thank you all! Wish they still made machines like these oldies!

The 201 has a drop-in bobbin and is a full rotary hook machine, the 15-91 has a vertical bobbin and an oscillating hook. I love them both, but confess to using the 201 more. It was my first 'old' machine so it has a special place in my heart :)

To identify them by looking: the 201 has a molded light that is on the FRONT of the arm, and the tension adjustment faces the operator. On the 15-91, the light is on the back of the arm, and the tension assembly is on the left hand end of the machine. There are other Singers that have these features, so keep in mind that neither of these machines use a belt. If you find one that has a belt, it's most likely a 66, a 99k or a different model of 15 class machine. These are also great machines, I just prefer the gear-driven.

You can also go to http://www.ismacs.net/singer/home.html. They have some really great information about the old machines and their cabinets. Have fun!

There is one on shopgoodwill.com now.
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=2361391
This looks to me like a Singer Crinkle 66.Made in 1951 or 1952. Called crinkle because of the rough looking finish. I have this machine in a cabinet. Although it only sews forward and reverse, it sews like a dream. Colleen