Originally Posted by
mtboze
I have finally found several photos of a "drop-in" arrangement for putting a sewing machine in a portable base into a recess on the top of both treadle and non-treadle table/cabinets. However, I've also managed to come up with another thing to ponder about: my portable base has two holes for the treadle belt, but most if not all of the photos I've seen of similar bases have a slot instead of individual holes. That would certainly make it much easier to switch from portable to a table. In my configuration I would have to disconnect the staple joint on the belt each time I moved the sewing machine.
Most European handcranks I own have the holes instead of a groove. I understand your concern, but that is how it is. I actually have never seen any with a groove/slot. Even with a slot, you have to remove the staples or the handwheel. The belt can't be long enough to go over the handwheel and be tight enough to work as a treadle. Only alternative is to use a spring belt.