Meet "Miss Ida" my treadle machine
 

Here are pics of my Singer 1934 15-88 treadle machine. "Miss Ida" has been in the house awhile and so far is a great end table (!). Just now had time and gumption enough to open her up for cleaning. She was purchased at a flea market one windy summer day on a dirt patch. So she is full of grime. Her wheel turns and the needle shaft and bobbin rotates freely and smooth, the treadle part doesn't so much. Going to need her spa bath in kerosine, and lots of massaging to open her up. All I have done so far is clean her once with sewing machine oil. Got alot of her dirt off. Her cabinet is in fair condition, nothing seriously wrong, but not a stunning beauty either. But neither am I, so we should get along just fine.

Oh she is beautiful

Since it turns all you have to do is paint on the kerosene with a brush - you should not have to dis-assemble everything to get it working just fine. I got one that was frozen up with dried up oil working by just only dotting Triflow on the moving parts. You might want to dis-assemble a bobbin area - clean and re-assemble. Then go on and clean dried up oil with Gojo. Chrome cleaner or Barkeeper's friend will clean rust off chrome. The tension can usually be cleaned by flossing that area with a string and a bit of oil. You only need to completely dis-assemble if you are planning to repaint or it is totally rusted up. check out Muv and Fav's videos Thread: HOW TO CLEAN UP and use a vintage sewing machine - videos by Muv and Fav http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html - I have a Singer 319 I cleaned without a lot of dis-assembly - it was pretty dirty too. Singer 319 in need of TLC http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...c-t162425.html and a Japanese 15 I cleaned up without dis-assembly. Janie Doe, the 15 Clone - make over - http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...r-t169127.html that one took about an hour - what a transformation - Janie went from not moving to moving freely. We did not get her completly clean at this time. We just got her working and her surface cleaned. Hannah was there and she is very pregnant - we did not want to use a lot of chemicals. The machine will need to be cleaned in the spring when we can work out doors.

I have a treadle that would barely move. It was loaded up with thread. Got that out then I got some triflow grease on the moving parts and she rocks great now.

Miss Ida is beautiful!!! So classy looking.I think what I like the best of the older machines is all the pretty designs to the parts.Like the front plate and the decals.Yours is in such wonderful shape. If only she could speak.Mary

I have this same machine I had never before seen a base like this machine has before glad so see another one need to clean mine up yet too but everything works on it Think i paid $50 for mine in a junk store. Have fun with her mkay

I agree with Miriam...there's no need to tear her down if the wheel, needle, and bobbin are all turning freely and smoothly! Sounds to me like you need to oil the treadle parts...anyplace that they move, put a bit of oil. You might also need to tighten the belt a bit.
I think she's gorgeous!

She is beautiful. I love the old machines!!! I agree she probably will do just fine with a good oiling!!!

WOW....BEAUTIFUL............My Mom had one but we lived many miles apart and when I came down one time ......IT was missing along with my Dad's roll top desk. She had a neighbor who I'm sure conned her out of it. You have a real treasure there! Congrats!

Real nice. Is there scroll work on the two ends of the cabinet? I just bought one at a pawn shop. Will post pics later after it is all cleaned up.

Miss Ida is very elegant with her filigree faceplate and decals. Happy sewing.

Pat