There is talk in the vintage sewing world of folks having little space for more than one treadle in the home or not being able to find a treadle that goes with the X sewing machine.
When I first got my National Two Spools, I didn't have a treadle/cabinet for that machine. I had to make do with a Singer cabinet and treadle to hold the machine head so that I could use this wonderful piecing machine.
In my researching of vintage sewing machines, I found that some folks just make a universal wooden top to fit on a treadle and the machine rests on the wooden top. Well, I just didn't feel like making a universal top at that time.
So, I talked with my husband about a cheap and simple conversion of the cabinet to fit the National machine into a Singer straight-leg cabinet. Presently, my Singer 328K resides in the Singer straight-leg treadle (picture #1), but once my National had been sitting in the cabinet (picture #2).
These are photos of the process and materials used for switching from a Singer machine head (201, 66, 15, 328, just some that fit) to the National Two Spools machine head.
Since the Two Spools machine is narrower, a wider portion of another Singer cabinet (the lighter color wood shown) is used to hold the machine on the front lip ( picture #3 & 4).
All I do is unscrew the hinges from the wooden front piece and switch the wooden pieces that fits with the correct machine. The older light wood which is wider goes with the National Two Spools and the newer narrower wood goes with the Singer machines. (picture #5 of the hinge).
Both Singer pins can't be use to hold the Two Spools because the pins holes on the Two Spools don't line up with the Singer hinge pins. Since only one pin will line up for the Two Spools and can only be used, a metal piece for support is used for the second pin. The machine rests on the hinge pin and metal plate. (picture # 6, 7, 8). This plate can swing out of the way when not needed.
A look at the underside and how it is attached to the cabinet and screw used to hold the hinge pin in place (picture # 9).
So, for those that do not wish to make a universal top, here is another way for you.
Have fun treading!
#1 Singer 328K in treadle. Yes, I treadle this machine.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212279[/ATTACH]
#2 National Two Spools in Singer Straight-leg treadle.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212280[/ATTACH]
#3 A salvaged piece from older Singer cabinet.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212281[/ATTACH]
#4 Wood cut to fit Singer straight-leg and groove made to hold hinge.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212282[/ATTACH]
#5 Hinge
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212283[/ATTACH]
#6 Metal piece used for support for 2nd hinge pin.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212284[/ATTACH]
#7 Machine rests on both hinge pin and metal plate.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212285[/ATTACH]
#8 metal can swing out of way.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212286[/ATTACH]
#9 Unerside of cabinet showing metal plate setup.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]212287[/ATTACH]