My treadle conversion
#43
Originally Posted by purplefiend
Wow I'd like to do a conversion to my spare Bernina 930, that would be awesome to have it be treadle powered.
Sharon W.
Sharon W.
John
#46
Originally Posted by miriam
A while ago I posted about Singer 401G and 411G. I have not modified the machines to accept a leather belt. I'm wondering if you know anything about putting them on a treadle. The sewing machine shop guy wants to modify the balance wheel - he says it needs a heavy old one - they don't just fit on.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm
I have a Bernina that may be a good candidate for a treadle. It is a 530 with a broken cord acceptor part.
What did you do to adapt?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm
I have a Bernina that may be a good candidate for a treadle. It is a 530 with a broken cord acceptor part.
What did you do to adapt?
John
#47
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Originally Posted by Fixedgearhead
Originally Posted by miriam
A while ago I posted about Singer 401G and 411G. I have not modified the machines to accept a leather belt. I'm wondering if you know anything about putting them on a treadle. The sewing machine shop guy wants to modify the balance wheel - he says it needs a heavy old one - they don't just fit on.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm
I have a Bernina that may be a good candidate for a treadle. It is a 530 with a broken cord acceptor part.
What did you do to adapt?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm
I have a Bernina that may be a good candidate for a treadle. It is a 530 with a broken cord acceptor part.
What did you do to adapt?
John
#48
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
Originally Posted by miriam
A while ago I posted about Singer 401G and 411G. I have not modified the machines to accept a leather belt. I'm wondering if you know anything about putting them on a treadle. The sewing machine shop guy wants to modify the balance wheel - he says it needs a heavy old one - they don't just fit on.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm
I have a Bernina that may be a good candidate for a treadle. It is a 530 with a broken cord acceptor part.
What did you do to adapt?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm
I have a Bernina that may be a good candidate for a treadle. It is a 530 with a broken cord acceptor part.
What did you do to adapt?
#49
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Originally Posted by purplefiend
Originally Posted by miriam
A while ago I posted about Singer 401G and 411G. I have not modified the machines to accept a leather belt. I'm wondering if you know anything about putting them on a treadle. The sewing machine shop guy wants to modify the balance wheel - he says it needs a heavy old one - they don't just fit on.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm
I have a Bernina that may be a good candidate for a treadle. It is a 530 with a broken cord acceptor part.
What did you do to adapt?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1202.htm#3520792
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130994-6.htm
I have a Bernina that may be a good candidate for a treadle. It is a 530 with a broken cord acceptor part.
What did you do to adapt?
#50
If I want electric I have that on a different machine.[/quote]
When I did my conversion, I talked to the owner of the Bernina Dealership that provided the parts, and he said they made the Brass, and now steel hand wheels, because there needs to be a bit of momentum to sustain the continuation of the power just like a flywheel in a car. But, if they are leaving the motor and electrics in place, they take off the internal drive belt from the motor to the shaft, as it adds drag and is not necessary. If you want to switch from electric to treadle, then you could just release the tension on the drive belt motor so as that it does not add drag when using it as a treadle. As to slippage. If you are doing a restoration of the Singer, and just want to leave it for display, then using the leather belt is fine. If you expect to use it for real sewing, then get a modern Poly belt and never have to worry about slippage or adjustment again. I have had my modern belt on the treadle conversion and have never adjusted it for stretch for 3 years of heavy, and I do mean "Heavy sewing. I have sewn for 8 hrs a day on some projects, and done some seriously horrible sewing through some things that resemble plywood, in their thickness. and it has never slipped a bit.That machine is really the only machine I use for sewing. I love it so much and it suits my style of sewing. I have sold off A Bernina 430 modern machine, A janome 1600, Professional, and I gave a friend a regular Janome (I don't remember the number) because it did automatic button holes and the gal I gave it to didn't have one and was complaining about the button holes she got from her machine. I sew Clothes, Quilts, Craft stuff, Curtains, You name it. This treadle does it all. Albeit A bit more slowly. I have thought about purchasing a Commercial heavy duty machine for those projects that are heavy duty sewing, but this machine does them without any problem. I have adjusted the timing one time, but it was still within the range of acceptable, but I had been abusing it and felt guilty and wanted it to be back to normal if it could be. A great project that has proven to be one of the best things I have ever done to a sewing machine.
John
When I did my conversion, I talked to the owner of the Bernina Dealership that provided the parts, and he said they made the Brass, and now steel hand wheels, because there needs to be a bit of momentum to sustain the continuation of the power just like a flywheel in a car. But, if they are leaving the motor and electrics in place, they take off the internal drive belt from the motor to the shaft, as it adds drag and is not necessary. If you want to switch from electric to treadle, then you could just release the tension on the drive belt motor so as that it does not add drag when using it as a treadle. As to slippage. If you are doing a restoration of the Singer, and just want to leave it for display, then using the leather belt is fine. If you expect to use it for real sewing, then get a modern Poly belt and never have to worry about slippage or adjustment again. I have had my modern belt on the treadle conversion and have never adjusted it for stretch for 3 years of heavy, and I do mean "Heavy sewing. I have sewn for 8 hrs a day on some projects, and done some seriously horrible sewing through some things that resemble plywood, in their thickness. and it has never slipped a bit.That machine is really the only machine I use for sewing. I love it so much and it suits my style of sewing. I have sold off A Bernina 430 modern machine, A janome 1600, Professional, and I gave a friend a regular Janome (I don't remember the number) because it did automatic button holes and the gal I gave it to didn't have one and was complaining about the button holes she got from her machine. I sew Clothes, Quilts, Craft stuff, Curtains, You name it. This treadle does it all. Albeit A bit more slowly. I have thought about purchasing a Commercial heavy duty machine for those projects that are heavy duty sewing, but this machine does them without any problem. I have adjusted the timing one time, but it was still within the range of acceptable, but I had been abusing it and felt guilty and wanted it to be back to normal if it could be. A great project that has proven to be one of the best things I have ever done to a sewing machine.
John
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 03-26-2018 at 08:09 AM. Reason: remove shouting/all caps
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