"No flames, no bad language please or do you think it's clever?"
I am going to go with 'clever'. The machines were likely going to sit and rust and not be sewn on anyhow. The maker did almost no/no damage to the machine. It is tastefully done, as these things go, and I do like the type of bulb s/he chose.
It also seems to me as though if one were so inclined, it would be minimal work to reverse the process.
On a similar note, I have an Elna Supermatic carcass, and I am giving serious thought to converting it into an espresso maker. I kid you not. Currently it is in use as a bedside lamp.
-C.