greywuuf

Same "belt" arrangment in my 306w pretty familiar with it.

manicmike

If you happen to see a 360 that would be even better, but they're a lot more rare. 300 series are free arms, so it'd really be your go to machine. The 1222 apparently even has a walking foot built in, so Pfaffs are definitely the go. I'd buy a 1222 if they didn't cost so much.
I'm doing a reversible jacket for my (12 YO) daughter today. Nearly finished it. 99% sewn on a 201K23, 1% (sleeves) on the Bernina 730 free arm.

greywuuf

Some of the 300 series I have looked at are internal motor machines not suitable for treadle conversion.

manicmike

Well I guess you can't have everything

miriam

Not so - some of the ones with internal motors will work on a treadle - if they have the belt channels they will work.

greywuuf

So now I have a dillema. A 332 really would be a useful machine...base plate and internal motor (plus lack of belt pulley) make it a no go for a treadle. Same machine in a flat bed is capable of treadle....and then there is the classic 130 a great treadle basic ZZ. I wonder if I have progressed to wanting an electric free arm machine.....

manicmike

If you have the space, get one of each
Once you start looking you'll see them everywhere.

Rodney

I know you prefer to treadle. If you're mending something like jeans a free arm is certainly nice to have but most regular sewing doesn't need one. An electric free arm wouldn't be a bad choice for when it's actually needed. One perfect do-it-all machine is a pretty hard request to meet.
Rodney

greywuuf

I don't know that I prefer a treadle, I do know that the treadle table stays in the family room as antique furniture, electrics have to be hauled out and set on a table...none of which are at a good height for me. So amulti day project can stay out with out disrupting the family....an electric..this is not the case.

NapaJohn

As the guard at the Emerald City once said, "well, why didn't you say so?" Get the Pfaff 230 or the Necchi BU and you can put either one in your treadle cabinet. You can treadle them or even still use them with a motor but just set up in the cabinet. I frequently see treadle machines which were converted to electric still in the original cabinet as well as electric machines which were probably put in the owner's previous machine's treadle stand. You can even switch them back and forth easily. My Necchi BU is probably the quietest electric machine I have, so it wouldn't disturb others in the room.

You were right about the 332 not being able to be treadled as there are no holes in the bottom of machine for a belt and there are no holes on the back of the machine to attach it to hinges in a stand. They also wouldn't fit the opening of a singer cabinet and have to sit on one of the cabinets with a shelf. The other thing I would caution you about with the 332 is that not only does it have the metal cleated timing belt, it also has a metal cleated motor belt and that is no longer available. I've been searching for one for a long time and each time I think I find a source, the supplier tells me they are no longer made. So you would only have the life of the current belt left on the machine. In my experience they last for about 20 years of heavy use but that's about it. There's a man in Albuquerque who remanufactures timing belts for the 130s but you have to supply the cleats from your old belt and I think he charges around $125. I haven't asked him about the 332 but might some day.

It looks like the original Pfaff you posted a link for has been relisted at a slightly lower price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pfaff-230-Se...item3cf883386b
If you look closely at the pictures, it is missing some thread stops on the spool pins. Compare to this listing which has thread stops in place (which prevent thread spools from dragging on machine cover and wearing paint off--even plastic thread spools will eventually wear down into grooves on machine--ask me how I know!): http://www.ebay.com/itm/PFAFF-AUTOMA...item20fac0ca2c

I've been in search of the Holy Grail to replace my 332 but none have quite measured up.