I purchased a white FR treadle yesterday for 30$
What are some tips to clean it? Where do I want to find the bobbins for it, and where is the best place to get a treadle belt. It has as far as I can tell, all of the attachments.
Any other information would be welcome
Thanks

Here's a website that sells parts for old machines. I think it's where I bought a leather replacement belt for my cousin's treadle:

http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....re/page47.html

Here is a website and list for White treadles I remember from years ago:
http://www.treadleon.net/. (The Captain is easy to remember!)

For cleaning, a lot depends on its condition. Be careful not to scrub too hard or use abrasives, as these can damage the finish. Most people recommend wiping with a damp cloth or a soft cloth and oil (baby oil, I think, or sewing machine oil). Oil will loosen dirt and not damage the finish, but I would probably use a mild solution of water and dishwashing liquid afterwards to remove the oil.

Speaking of oil, you want to get sewing machine oil and put drops in all the oiling places -- both on top and bottom, plus any moving parts you see. Do not use any other type of oil, as sewing machine is extra refined and nothing substitutes for it.

thanks! I've already seen those sites though..

White, singer and brother seem to use the same parts. If you punch into google exactlly what you want you will get a lot of sites.

I typed in' parts and assecories for Vintage white Treadle sewing machine' You will get many sites :D

Congrats. What a great buy. I have an old white that was converted to electric. Seems so sad. But it still works.

My grandfather took my grandmother's treadle machine to the electrical phase.
At one point I asked him: If I wanted to restore the machine back to a treadle, can it be done?
He answered in the affirmative. He said that all the parts that made it a treadle are still there - - i.e. the rotor end of the machine that the belt fits into ... (I don't know the proper names for parts, obviously <g>) ...if you have the treadle, and you have that part ... the rest will depend on how handy your repairman is.

I've started sewing with it, and I love it! It is just so smooth and well, easy. I wasn't expecting that because they are totally different from singers which is what I learned on.
Seems like they had the orginal ideas for some things, like the thread take up leaver, where you don't thread it thru a hole, you just slide it, and numbers on the tension dial.