check this one out! They did a great job on restoring her, but why add the electric?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72764663...campaign=Share

At first I was thinking what a waste of a treadle table then I realized they were making it both--it can be used as a treadle and electric. I actually have both an electric 15-91 and a 15-96 which is actually a 15-91 on a treadle! (2 separate tables) Maybe they were thinking it would save space?

Ok, Im a little confused, (the following is a cut-n-paste from the description of the listing) what does this mean :

Sew in style with this wonderful reproduction, of Singer Model # 15-91.

"reproduction"? So thats not an original, is a reproduction?

hhmm...I did not see that...will check it out again..
if it were a repro, I am sure it would cost more than $395...At that price I am not sure what they are selling...it is pretty though..and could be very practical if you live where you lose power a lot...like OK!

I contacted the guy to ask if it were really a repro or maybe a "rebuilt" model!

Maybe they are saying it's a reproduction because it's both electric and treadle? From what I have read the electric is a 15-91 but the treadle is actually a 15-96. Also, mine are pretty plain this one looks like it has new parts and new paint. Notice the difference in the stitch regulator, the shiny wheel and the front plate?

sorry double post

That is a repro machine. Forget it and go for a vintage orphan.

Just look on CLs for an old Singer machine that you can clean up and use. There are many all metal vintage machines that need a new home. I have a Singer that is a 122 years old that sews a beautiful straight stitch. And then I have one from 1953, that is my favorite since that lady sews beautiful stitches and treadles very quietly. Here is the picture of the 1953 Singer 201K in treadle. I just took the external motor off of her and dropped her into a Singer treadle cabinet. I picked up cabinet and treadle for free off of CLS and the machine just cost me $30.

Have fun treadling!

I live in OK...on CL IF and I do mean IF you can find any sewing machine on there, they want HUGE amounts of money for it and it usually one that has been left out in a barn for years!

I would love to find one like you manage to find on CL or on the CURB....

Check out ebay. I got my 15-91 with the table for less than $100 and that was with shipping! Most of the time I see "local pickup only" but sometimes you get lucky and they are willing to ship for a reasonable cost.

Take that barn one! It can be cleaned up, and I bet ya it will work for you! I purchased a barn machine for $30 (yes, again $30). It is a National Two Spools. It just needed a good oiling and cleaning. I only clean my machines with Singer sewing oil inside and out. I learned my lesson of having the decals turn silver by using other chemicals; so, now I only use the Singer sewing oil to clean the outside of machine up.

Or start looking on the Shopgoodwill site for cheap deals. Ask friends or neighbors if they know of anyone.

Be patient..the machine will find you. I always say that the machines find you..just like an orphan cat or dog.

Pictures of the National Two Spools direct from the barn before cleaning and after in use making a Christmas table runner.

yes, but here in OK that "barn" find would cost you $100! They think sewing was invented in OK and that everything sewing/quilting related is worth big bucks...even when it is NOT....

I have had luck at some auctions, and once a year the thrift shop..but never on Freecycle or CL...

I am bidding on a couple of vintage Bernina's on ebay now though...

That is still a good deal! If it is a vintage Singer a 15-89/90 that is a good deal. I would be careful with the Singer 15-91 since they are internal motors. But the 15-89/90 have external motors that can be removed and dropped into treadle. If it is a $100 for machine, cabinet, and treadle that is a good deal. That machine will out live you, your kids, and grandkids. Another great Singer for treadle use to use are the Singer 66s, they can have decals that are the Redeyes, Lotus, and just simple gold pattern decal.

I got my first treadle machine, a Standard, while I was living in Oklahoma. I think I paid $50 for it. Added some oil and a new belt and she works quite well. Hang in there, the machines are out there, you just have to haunt Craigs List, estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, and even Ebay. Sometimes you just get lucky if you keep your eyes open.

I don't understand "internal motors"--mine has a pot motor is that what you're calling internal motor? I haven't had any problems with mine and I just love it!

Yes, a potted motor is that. Most are excellent motors, but you can't treadle those.

I got one a red head, I think it's called, in cabinate, but needs a belt, for . . . get this . . . $10.

I always wanted one, but like Jacq said, they want over $100 for any old peice of junk, treadle or electric around here, too.
but I am a firm believer that if there's anything you need, you will find it at a garage sale, and you will have enough money in your pocket for it. If ya don't, then another will come along.

So I went to a garage sale on my way home, only had $14 in my pocket, saw two treadles, looked at em . . didn't dare touch em, cuz I didn't have that kinda of money . . saw no price, guy walked up and said "Pick one for $10" and I almost fell over, and I said "really?" then I think I gushed a bit, thanking him a lot, and promising to give it a good home, while loading it in the truck.

So keep the faith, and you'll get one!
I also got a Domestic Rotory for $15, a Singer Athena for $20 [machine was $5, manual cost me $10 on ebay, and foot petal cost me $5 for the machine it was attatched to] total. Shoot, I got my Janome at a thrift store and it was new in the box [discontinued model] for $30!!
Seriously, there are bargains to be had if you look around. I had no luck on CL. All my bargains were items I found while garage saling.

[quote=PrettyCurious]I got one a red head, I think it's called, i

Pretty Curious,
I like your avatar!

here is my reply from the guy selling it!

GeorgiesWarehouse sent you a conversation on July 05, 2011.
Singer "Sphinx" Treadle / Electric Sewing Machine, listing #72764663
Hello.
YES,this is a reproduction. These where made in the 1970's.
Singer took designs from their model # 15 and #15-91 to combine the best of both, in a treadle machine with strength and nostalgic beauty.

We added a new motor. Now days people want more than just a, "Show Piece".
It will sew with treadle power, but it is so nice to be able to sew a foot long seam in 5 seconds, rather than 5 minutes.

It has a regular drop in bobbin. Just like the #15-91 model.
Hope this information is helpful.

Enjoy the day.
Georgie

Heehee, "a foot long seam in 5 seconds, rather than 5 minutes". This person has never used a treadle. Geez!

Jaciqltznok, I live in the SF Bay Area where vintage machines are very expensive on CLs. I found mine by just looking for the posts that stated free, doesn't work, missing belt, I think it will work just missing belt, etc. So when I go to check out a machine, I will look the machine over, and then offer way low. Just because they state $100 doesn't mean you can't talk them down. The longer on CLs the better for you in getting a deal.

Just be patient, the machine will find you!

:)

Yeah, the 15-96 is a treadle. I have one of those too. Looks exactly like the 91.

Please post a picture of your 15-96 machine front and back. I have never seen a 15-96. I have only seen 15-90 and 15-91.

Opps, I just saw your previous post of photos. The 15-91 is the potted (internal) motor and your 15-96 has or had an external motor. Your 15-96 is your treadle machine, but you can't treadle the 15-91 (unless you remove the internal motor, which most say can't be done, but I have been told it can).

Sorry my mistake.

I read somewhere (of course I don't remember where--maybe Treadleon) that people liked the 15-91 so much that they later made it in a treadle version thus the 15-96. I checked the back of mine just to make sure it had not been converted into a treadle and there is no evidence that there was ever a motor on it so I guess my info was accurate. It looks exactly and I mean exactly like the 91 without a motor.

Here is a link that I use a reference for the Singer 15 series (15-89, 15-90, 15-91) that I find very helpful in explaining similarities/differences of the machines and other issues (like motors).

http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/...ne-review.aspx

Yup, been there. Ordered a bunch of parts from them. Thanks!

hmmm. I like my grandmother's treadle....I remember all the good times on it...

Thanks.
I love cutsie older pottery, and this little girl adorns my kitchen window.

My husband wants a treadle. I sure hope he learns how to use it, don't know if i'm up for that workout everyday. LOL

I use to have a Bernina treadle that did about a dozen different stitches, similar to the Record. I guess Bernina made a few for people who didn't have electricity.

That is the key to how much to spend on a machine; how available they are in your area. Here I've seen alot. I did buy my first featherweight from ebay; I only paid 120 for her but it cost me more in shipping. She is gorgeous; has lots of attachments. Then I thought these machines were rare; which is what all the adds list. Since then I've picked up a couple of Sphinks (not spelled right) one was 30 and the other w/treadle w/cabinet for 200. I also picked up a red eye for 100. All of these machines are in great shape w/decals mostly in shape. I see alot of machines on Craiglist around here so it's easier to get them and you will pay less. I hope you find one for a great price. I'm still looking for one that was made the year I was born. I'd like to say then I'll be done but who knows when I might find a great deal on one and I couldn't resist.

I bought one in Yukon, Ok last summer for $65.00.Good machine and nice cabinet.

Motors were optional on some of the early 1900s Singers. My Mom, 94 yo, got a treadle machine in 1936, her first Christmas with my Dad. The next year he bought her the optional motor. Times were hard in the '30s and a sewing machine was a huge purchase for a young mine worker. My Mom worked that machine hard sewing for 7 kids. She has torn the machine down to clean it a few times, and has replaced the motor twice. It's a wonderful machine. My 3 sisters and I learned to sew on it, and I'm honored that it will be mine when Mom is through using it.