Does anyone have any suggestions on how to begin to educate myself about featherweights and treadle machines. i am fascinated by the amount of knowledge on this board and most people seem to be in love with their machines. This maybe me something I want to add to my life but feel right now i need to "get educated"............thanks

Go here and start reading. Warning - it's up to over 1500 pages now. Be careful, once you start vintage machines are addicting.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/virtual...jsp?vsnum=1013

Here's a good place to look. ISMACS is a vintage/antique sewing machine group that has a ton of history about all the companies and machines.

http://www.ismacs.net

Here's another site that has a lot of info on the various Singer models.

http://www.sandman-collectibles.com/...r-machines.htm

So, read and read and read. Then come to the Vintage Sewing Machine Shop thread and ask questions. You'll get good information and answers!

Good luck. I was in your shoes not long ago, but have spent time educating myself, and have acquired the machines I really wanted after learning about them.

google Nova Montgomery-she has FW tips and also lots of info

you might also google grahm forsdyke's (sp)site in england, he has a rating system or check i think it's april1930 on ebay, she has a nice site too

I always recommend the book, the perfect protable by nancy johnson-srebro (sp), it has a full copy of the manual plus lots of interesting info. i bought her book the nite before i bought my fw