ThayerRags

A good temporary “fix” to protect your floor and treadle stand both, is to measure the diameter of one of the remaining casters and a remaining pin, and go to the hardware store where they sell fender washers and small stove bolts. Buy as many washers as will fit comfortably into the space where the missing casters go, and pin them in with a stove bolt and nut.

If you paint the fender washers and stove bolts a color similar to the treadle stand color prior to installation (cover the shine of the new materials), they will hardly be noticeable while you continue searching for more original replacements, and could even become permanent replacements if need be.

CD in Oklahoma

laceyj

Hi everyone! I'm new to the "shop" and to treadle machine ownership. I bought a lovely lady at our local Peddler's Mall. She's a Minnesota Model D. Made by Davis, sold by Sears in the general vicinity of the 1900s to 1910s. She's not in bad shape. Some of her decals are worn a bit and she was really dusty. I've oiled and cleaned the machine itself, but haven't touched the cabinet yet. She also came with a pretty little tin of accessories. The problem I'm coming across at this point is needles. She has a really long needle with a groove down the side. Anybody know where I can find replacements or of any modern needle that will work? Oh, and if her model number will help is D169910 5 (there is a space between the 0 and 5 on the plate. So I'm not sure if it's part of the model number or some other number that means something else!) Thanks for letting me hang out with all you wonderful folks!

Here are some photos of my girl. I think I'll call her Minnie

[ATTACH=CONFIG]515411[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]515413[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]515413[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]515414[/ATTACH]

SteveH

Now that is dang clever! (noted for future reference)

jlhmnj

Hi Laceyj,

Minnie is a lovely, 3/4 size, Davis model N made in the 00's.

For needles, the original would have been called "Davis Long", 1x2, Boye 10, FF and quite a few more lesser known names. This is a roughly 2" needle with flat on one side. These needles are no longer made but can be found online.

There is a replacement needle available that is currently in production that is similar to the Davis Long, the MTx190. Main difference is this needle has a round shank instead of flat and must be aligned in needleclamp manually.

The serial number is D1699105. The "D" denotes a Sears model, perhaps for Davis and is only found on machines Davis made for Sears.

From the bed down, this Davis manual might come in handy:

http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...f/sil10-37.pdf

Enjoy!

Jon

Macybaby

Oh- that is a 3/4 size one? I did not notice that! I'll have to compare it to mine (the one Jon sent). If it's the smaller one, Don't loose the shuttle!

jlhmnj

Same model. Boye did some strange stuff and one of them was not including a Davis 3/4 size shuttle and bobbins in with their display. Maybe the display ran out of room. Guess you'd have to order through Sears or the old SM parts house catalogs. Today the only way to get them is buy a complete head or find someone parting one out. Methinks Boye should of replaced the Eldredge long with the Davis short This would have saved Cathy lots of aggravation.

Jon

laceyj

Jon,

Thank you so much for that information. I'm in the process of cleaning now. Luckily she wasn't really dirty. I look forward to getting her put back together and in good working order.

Jeanette Frantz

Your Minnesota seems to be in pretty good shape. A majority of your decals are intact and that's a good thing. Congratulations on your find.

Jeanette

laceyj

All things considered she was in good shape. A little dirty, but otherwise good. Cleaned and oiled up now she sews quite well. Thanks.

laceyj

Sorry for the second post so quickly, but can anyone point me in the right direction of a shuttle for my Minnesota Model D? I have one and it works, but I'd like to have a backup. Thanks in advance!