Originally Posted by irishrose

My Kroil came from Meijers (big box store) in with the gun cleaning tools. It's done a good job on the 66 - just one screw is being difficult.

Originally Posted by treadlep

I believe the Richmond treadle is actually a badged National---the medallion is specific to National rather than Davis from what I've read on this board. On my Richmond, it came with Eldredge needles, and the shuttle holder is stamped Eldredge, also a National machine. I guess we don't know for sure, just my opinion.

Originally Posted by treadlep

So, that is my Richmond treadle in the picture you found, so you probably also found my previous posts that show my cabinet that is different than yours, and that have info I had found on my research. I wanted to let you know that this machine takes a non-standard sewing machine needle size: the eldredge needles are a bit longer than the normal 15x1 needle. However, I have been successful using standard 15x1 needles that are not inserted all the way to the top of the needle slot. The old eldredge needles are hard to find. I found some at a local sewing machine shop, but none since, and there were a few with the machine when I got it. I have one needle marked with a sharpie that serves as a guide to mark 15x1 needles, so I know how far to insert them.

The paperwork with my richmond indicates the same department store in New York. My machine belonged to my great grandmother, and later some great-aunts who lived in a small town in upstate New York near Cooperstown. After her last sister died, my grandmother went back to close out the family home, and the treadle was shipped to me in California when I was in my twenties. I have had it since the late 1980s, it works great, and as you can see it is in very good shape. I keep it cleaned and oiled since I did an original deep clean, and use it on occasion.

As far as age, my treadle base has a wooden footman, which others on this board say indicates the machine is pre-1900. That would make sense based on my family history timeline, and I would guess it entered the household sometime in the 1890s to early 1900s.

Enjoy your treadle---mine seems pretty indestructible, so if you've got yours up and running that's a good sign you can clean it up and use it for years. I'm constantly amazed to look at the old richmond and know that it is over 100 years old!

Originally Posted by frudemoo

Well, I had a thorough look at my Necchi Supernova Automatica machine last night and it's the first machine I've ever owned that was as dirty as a barbecue! The other machines I've come to own have seemed more clean and dry, even if they are dirty in areas and have packed in lint etc. This one is like a grease pit!! All the lint and dirt is stuck on with this brown grease.
...

Am I attempting to get all the parts back to 'shiny and new' or just 'serviceable'? ....and what should I be using to remove it? ...

I hope someone out there will be patient enough to explain this stuff to me.

Originally Posted by J Miller

Grant,

That's good to know. So it does have a shelf life. I guess I shouldn't lay in a life time supply of it then.

Joe

Originally Posted by SteveH

Quick question for folks... Is there a prohibition against posting a "want list" thread?

For example, there are some items that I am always on the hunt for, If we could post a thread where folks could list what they are seeking (NOT what they have available, because that becomes a "sales thing" ) we could do some connecting.

The good old "Oh, You are looking for X? I have 11 of them.. want a couple? PM Me" could happen more often.

Thoughts?