I got one!
 

My grandmother and mother taught me to sew on a treadle sewing machine when I was 9 years old. Always wanted to have one again. We found one on a tag sale, model no AC765383, which puts it in the 1929 age range, I think. Someone started to strip the cabinet so it will need to be refinished. It does sew but is really sluggish so I know it needs all taken apart and cleaned and greased. Also some of the black finish on the front edge and a few other places has worn thru and needs attention.

Where would I go to find out how to do all this?

Go to the vintage machines section of this forum. They have all kinds of good stuff. How to clean the outside, how to take it apart and (more importantly), how to put it back together, where to buy parts, etc, etc.

It's only sluggish because:

A ~ It's been a lifetime since it was oiled and it's dry.

B ~ The old oil that was in there has turned to varnish.

Cleaning and oiling will do wonders for that old girl.

Joe

If it's sewing, albeit sluggishly, you do NOT need to tear that machine apart! If you go to the section of the forums called "For Vintage and Antique Machine Enthusiasts" There is a thread pinned at the top for Muv's videos on cleaning and using antique machines.
I'd be willing to bet that all you have to do is oil the machine and run it...then oil it again and run it some more.

Skip is the KING of cabinet work, send him a PM if you need help with refinishing :) (his board name is Glenn)

Yup Charlee is right - grab a cup of tea and watch Muv's videos - then grab an oil can and start oiling all the places that move top and bottom. Turn the wheel as you go. Those old machines are so amazing. Don't tear the whole thing down to clean it unless you have someone lined up to repaint the machine. Look at little nicks and scratches as merit badges that machine has won from being used. Here are links to electric machines I have cleaned up: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...t-t174236.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...c-t162425.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...r-t169127.html
The older machines clean up like Muv's and you are welcome to join us on the Vintage Sewing Machine Shop - you can ask questions - do post pictures of your machine
Link: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ll-t43881.html There is a lot to read or just kind of scan through there or you can just go to the end and join in. Don't feel shy - there are NO DUMB questions but the ones that go unasked.