Advice needed: just brought home treadle base for GM's free No.5
We cleaned out my Moms garage and I crammed the treadle base of a Free No. 5 into my Saturn Ion. I will have help to get it out this weekend and start working on it.
I need advice on how to clean and repair the cabinet. The treadle has been in a cousins basement and then in my Moms garage for a few years. Someone tried forcing the drawers open (there is a locking lever for the drawers). I think many of the drawers will need regluing, possibly more.... I can hear stuff rattling around in the drawers so I hope there are bobbins and needles.
What products do you like to use on old wood? Should I clean it good first, then decide if I want to refinish it?
I have had the head for several years. Partially cleaned. I didn't touch the tension mechanism. The wheel turns and the shuttle thing moves. So I think there is hope for it.
Please PM me if you are familiar with Free No. 5's. , especially in MN.