I just turn a treadle into a handcrank with no problem at all. I would think that you could just unscrew the handcrank mechanism at the base of the machine and remove it completely. Then simply put the machine into a base with a treadle base, attach a belt to the wheel on the treadle base and also to the hand wheel and you should be ready to go. I would be willing to purchase the handcrank mechanism if you no longer want it.