Stiff treadles benefit greatly from cleaning and OIL. The treadle bases use lots of non bearing pivot points. These need oiled frequently.
A clean and oiled machine is much easier to turn than a dirty gummy machine too.

In this case an ounce of maintenance prevents a gallon of sweat.

Joe

All of my treadles are easy to use, they are smooth, not a workout. A properly oiled and adjusted treadle doesn't squeak or clank when in use. About every 3-4 years my DH takes them apart and cleans,greases the cone bearings and oils all the parts that need it ; then he adjusts them so they are quiet and move easily without clanking.
Sharon W

The New Home Ruby I gave away was a dream to treadle. The machine (a Light Running)was made easy for elderly customers. I had to laugh when I found that advertisement. You couldn't do that now, but in 1904 they may not have been so touchy about such things. She had a 1895 patent with a 1904 manufacture date.

My Davis NVF is one of my smoothest treadles. All of my treadles are easy to treadle, very little work once one starts treadling. The only machine that has made treadling hard is my Necchi Supernova that I had once converted to treadle. I did that project of converting a Necchi Supernova to treadle just to see if it could be done and how it felt to treadle such a machine. I moved it around to different Singer cabinet treadles to see if it was the treadle or the machine. I discovered it was the machine. Those Necchi Supernovas are meant to move super fast, like a race car. I now no longer treadle the Necchi since treadling it is too brutally exhausting. Other than that, all my treadles are smooth. When quilt making, I love piecing on my Eldredge Two Spools, quilting and binding on my Davis NVF, and decorative stitching and finishing bindings on Singer 224 or Necchi.

Let me clarify! My base has been cleaned and oiled regularly. Nary a noise comes from it. But it also has no bearings. Just friction points that are cast iron hold the workings together.

I agree with you about treading those New Home machines! My MIL's is so easy to get started that it almost could sew 12" with a couple of good pushes. My New Home Climax is the same way. But, they also will rotate to the heaviest point on the wheel when stopping if I don't keep my foot on the pedal as a brake. Of course that means if I wanted the needle up, it usually rotates to the down position and vice versa. Royal p-in-the NECK when piecing.

For me, Alvah's slower "go" and two foot treadling gives me more control. I also don't get as tired so quickly because both sides of my body are getting a work-out.

just joined after doing research on my recent purchase of the Singer Treadle this week end. The Serial Number is pretty worn but I believe it says.. L10201159. Everything moves well, just needs a good cleaning and the belt put on as it sat in a shop for years and the belt was removed. Has a full set of accessories and Feet.

I was hoping you could tell me something about it... It has the Phoenix decal.. Thank you.

Pretty machine- can you verify the serial number please?

Redbugsullivan has made a very valid point here. It is a royal pain in the neck when you stop treadling but the machine still sews a few stitches. My Singer 15-88 is like that. That machine is so easy and smooth to treadle that I have to be ready to brake the treadle to stop it! My 319w is harder to treadle so when I stop treadling the machine stops sewing. The same with the Davis and the Two Spools. The Wheeler and Wilson is very easy to treadle too, but doesn't seem to want to sew when I am not treadling.

Yes, they need to be oiled regularly. Another good point, which most of us who use our machines probably keep up with. I know I do.

Nancy

Judy, welcome aboard! You will find yourself getting more and more machines if you stay on this board! This is a very addicting hobby!

You have a nice Model 27 with the Sphinx decal, but you have too many digits in your serial number. The L series only went to 1 million something.

Nancy

I spied a very derelict National 2 spools - the machine is rusted up but good - the bobbin can is good and still there... the base is good and the cabinet is fair.