Treadles are incredibly easy to use and maintain. No electrical parts, just basic mechanics and one leather belt.
I currently have 5, not bragging, they bread while your back is turned
and all of them are functional.
Functional = All sew, all have belts, all are complete with the necessary parts. Some have accessories and attachments.
With the exception of the Franklin in the parlor cabinet none of them cost me over $75.00. I won't say what the Franklin cost but it's up and running now.
If you were closer I'd invite you to try mine and see what you could do.
As for quilting, it's no harder to use a treadle to do that than it is an e-machine. You just have to be able to use your hands and feet at the same time. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but once I did it's fairly easy.
Joe