Needle type for Eldredge "B" (Improved) Treadle?
 

Hey all! This is my first post and I'm so excited to have a group of people with so much love and knowledge of older machines!!

I just got an Eldredge "B" Treadle, fixed her up all pretty and running smooth and noticed how HUGE the needle is. I've never seen such a long needle before. I have another treadle, Sears Roebuck 1913 that uses standard needles. I tried standard needles in the Eldredge to see if perhaps the previous owner just put in the wrong needle, but nope - only the long one works! I can't decipher the print on the head of the needle, but it's more than 1/4" longer than standard needles. The total length is approximately 44mm. I found genuine old Boye needles on Ebay for about $5 a piece and was hoping someone else had more insight as to where I can get these long needles.. and what they might be called so I can search for them more easily.

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Eldgredge needle on left - Universal needle on right (to show size difference)
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"The Eldredge" B!
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The manual isn't very helpful when it comes to type of needle...

Thank you so much for your time!

I just found the answer to my question on another post! They're 20x1 needles or Boye 14 or 21! I'll search around for a good deal. :)

According to a Boye Needle chart I have it takes a #14 or 21. Those cross to the Singer 20x1. They can be found occasionally, but are not readily available.
Some machines will allow you to short seat a 15x1. Some won't. Doesn't cost anything to try.

Check eBay and you should find some.

Joe

Joe, what does it mean to "short seat" a 15x1 needle and how is it done?

Kitsy,

Normally you'd push the longer needle up into the needle clamp until it hits the stop. To short seat a shorter needle you push it up in until the eye is at the same position as the longer needle. But it's not in all the way.

I've done this with one of my vintage New Homes and it works great. But not all of them will cooperate.

Hope that is understandable.

Joe

i need someone to look at my pictures on the board trying to identify a machine--which we think is an Eldredge..any help would be appreciated! thanks

Welcome to the board! You have a beautiful machine!