Originally Posted by redpurselady
I would like to get input from all you vintage machine connoisseurs out there.
. . . .
I am having a really hard time making a decision. I already have a treadle and I still have not sewn on her so that eliminates that choice for me. My original intent was to be able to sew on the Red Eye. If that is the case, do I put a brand new motor in that would probably last longer or do I stay with the more vintage motor? Handcrank is an interesting option just because of the collector value, but I don’t see myself sewing very much on the machine if it’s a handcrank. Do I want to showcase this machine or am I really going use her to sew? I guess that is the decisive question and the one that has me stumped.
So, what do you think I should do?
I vote for the hand crank because it looks like the case is big enough to hold one without taking it on and off. The case has the storage compartment with lid--very cool. If you decide later to put a motor and pedal on it it's no big deal--I get rid of most of mine, and many have wiring that's still usable. (I don't happen to have any right now, as I gave away two big boxes last summer.) If you opt to just leave it as it is and put NOTHING on it, that's OK too, because not only can you drop it in a treadle, you can put a HC on in a matter of 2 or 3 minutes, and attach motor and footpedal nearly as quickly.