I was out doing my trip to the thirft stores today and found a very old treadle machine and guessing that it was from the 30's or 40's. It is quite rusty and needs a lot of work. Would you buy it for $35.00? The decals on it are in fair shape but the wood drawers need fixing and the rest needs a lot of cleaning of the wood.

Tough call. I just was given a 1895 one that needs a fair amount of work and I'm not sure I want to do it, but the irons move so freely that it may be worth. How available are treadles in your area? What do they sell for? If you like the machine, then that's not a bad price. Most of then clean up so well.

Rusty...I'd pass too much work...You'll find something in better shape for same price or a bit more...eventually

I wire brush will remove the rust and use rustoleum in silver or black, depending on the machine, that will stop the rust. Mine was silver. Then just wash down the wood with oil soap and oil it good to feed the wood and it should be beautiful. Its a fair price.

There are several ways of removing surface rust from machines, and the drawers can easily be reglued. $35 is OK if the machine is in good shape and operable. If it's frozen up (won't move), don't get it...it'll be a ton of work for a person who doesn't have experience rejuvenating old machines.

I would buy it for $50.00

Do you want a project? Will you enjoy the renovation, researching and working on the machine? If so, go for it.

Does it work? Bring in some fabric and thread and see if it works. If the belt needs replacing, it's an easy fix and not much money. Is the shuttle there and extra bobbins? Sometimes parts are hard to find. How bad is the rust? If you can't fix that problem it will deposit on any fabric you put through it. As dunster said, "do you want a project?"

I didn't have much time to look over every bit of the machine as I had to leave for a job interview. I am going back to look it over better this evening. I want to fix it up. that way if the lights go out I can still sew from candle light or oil lamp. Also it is good exersize while sewing. Have to get it buy my hubby now....mmmmmmmmm!

I've got 2 treadles, the first one was an industrial type and not very *pretty* so I've decided to use it for spares for my nicer one. I changed the belt and gave the machine a polish. The Treadle frame needs cleaning with grate polish as it's been in storage for 2 years since we started a house renovation, I moved it into my new sewing room and started sewing straight away. I love the way old machines just work out of the box, when you think how old they are it must've been such a great machine in it's day. I'd think 35$ is a good price.
Here's a piccie of mine http://gallery.pipandphil.com/v/Craf...2_showId=37721