Candace

Caroline, if you want more info. on treadling it, PM BoJangles. She treadles a 319.

miriam

So does Glenn. I have a couple of those machines. They should treadle just fine. As far as loading the bobbin into the machine, I have a table with a big hole in it - I can reach the bobbin area just fine from there and not have to use the slide plate. That table style is not real common but I have seen several.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]383227[/ATTACH]

miriam

I suppose you could turn any table with a front door cover into a table with a hand hole if you have a good saw and good aim...

Caroline S

My DD picked up the 306M for me yesterday. She needs a new motor belt as the one that is on her is very loose. After plugging her in I briefly gave her a test drive. All operating systems appear to be good and the light works. I am REALLY loving this sewing machine already. The serial number is MB695187 (I have checked that number three times already to make sure). Interesting serial number though. I could not find any reference to the serial number letters of MB on the ISMACS site. What other information I did find was the the K's were made in Kilbowie and the W's were made in Germany. So, where was this one made and when? In the area where it says where it was made has been hacked off. Another mystery! I will be posting pics later today when DD comes over to bring the head upstairs for me. I think it is one of the heaviest machine heads that I now own.

ThayerRags

Quote:

Originally Posted by miriam

So does Glenn.

So does CD.

CD in Oklahoma

Caroline S

I like your set up CD. Simple and uncomplicated. I do have a set of irons from a treadle cabinet that arrived at my house in shattered pieces. Long story on that one. The sewing machine was an 1893 model 28 and a surprise gift from my son in California and was delivered by my ex who knew NOTHING about transporting a vintage sewing machine and cabinet. The Wheels are turning in my brain right now.

BoJangles

Caroline, I have my 319w in treadle and it is my go to machine. I do a lot of piecing with mine, mending, whatever needs to be done because that machine is always out and ready to go! The 319 is a really easy machine to work with. The only difference between the 319 and your 306 is the stitches. The 319 has some built in cam stitches, where your 306 does not. Otherwise they are the same machine as Candace said. The 'L' bobbins are available from Sew Classic as are the needles - I am pretty sure that is where I got mine![ATTACH=CONFIG]383246[/ATTACH]

Nancy

BoJangles

CD, did you make the top for that treadle? It looks like what I need so I could switch heads out depending on which machine I want to use!

Nancy

ThayerRags

I call the stand my “MUTT” (Multi-Use Treadle Top). I’ve painted the irons black with gold highlights since that photo was taken. It had some paint skinned off of the lower part of all four legs, so I just went with black so it wouldn’t rust any further and I can do touch-up easier later on when needed. Since I’m toting it all around, it will no doubt get some wear on the paint. I am rigging it up to be able to change tops for different types of machines, and have begun rounding up other cabinet tops with various cut-outs.

The top shown on it is from a Singer Model 56 Electric Cabinet. I tend to like Singers, so it’s the top that I use the most. I used the extension leaf of that cabinet for my second top, and left it solid with only a belt slot cut in it. I’m experimenting with making a treadle serger (Bernette 203 3-thread). I haven’t gotten the bugs out of that setup yet. I’m also hoping to use the solid top to experiment with a table-top style freearm machine (National Model J) that I have.

The main thing that I was going for with this MUTT was portability and a small “foot print”. I use it in show booths, at the shop to test operate serviced machines, and at home to limber up the heads that I collect for myself. Being a SM collector, there’s never much room for another treadle, so I needed to keep it compact but yet still functional.

Ed. - This photo is when I was using it in a booth to sew wind socks at a Fair last year.

CD in Oklahoma

ThayerRags

Caroline,

The portability of my MUTT includes quick setup and tear-down too. Since there’s no reason to ever have to fold the machine down, the machine is simply setting loose on the hinge pins. No need to tighten grub screws. When tear-down time comes, de-rail the belt, slip the belt off of the head, tip the head back slightly, and lift. Tuck the belt into the stand to keep it secure, and the head and stand are both ready to be moved. Setup goes as quickly in reverse.

One of the reasons that I chose a 306W for use in our booths was because it’s got an aluminum body and is light-weight for a full-sized ZZ machine. I can carry the machine back and forth to the parking lot with one hand.

One of the reasons that I picked a pressed steel treadle stand was also because of weight. With the short top on it, I gather up the treadle by the flywheel end with a hand truck and take off with it. When I get to the parking lot, it’s easier to load than a cast iron one.

CD in Oklahoma