MUTT (Multi-Use Traveling Treadle)
#1
MUTT (Multi-Use Traveling Treadle)
Taking a treadle along to remote locations can be fun, but can be hard on the treadle, the cabinet, and the person(s) that have to deal with loading, unloading, and handling it. I started gathering parts and pieces for one a little over a year ago, and now I’m getting close to having one. I got the idea for my MUTT from the discussions about multiple top inserts in one treadle over at the Treadle-On Group, but I wanted a treadle that I could interchange tops on for different sewing machines, and could transport it easily. I started out with a Singer Industrial treadle stand, but soon realized that there are lighter treadle stands that would serve the purpose just as well. So now, I guess that I have two MUTTs in the works, since I still have the industrial stand, and I still think about the potential uses of that large flywheel, but I’ve switched to a Singer straight-leg (household use) stand for the time being.
The stand is a Singer tubular straight-leg with the original wooden cabinet removed. I also removed the skirt guard around the flywheel. Top #1 that I’m using for the common Singer heads is from a Singer Model 56 (electric) Economy Cabinet. Top #2 that I’m using for a Bernette 3-thread serger is the fold-out extension from the Model 56 cabinet, inverted to use the best surface, with a belt slot cut near the front edge. These two tops are attached to the stand with 4 screws. I’m working on a Singer 3/4-sized top, but haven’t gotten it going yet, and want to eventually have tops for several different machine heads, including a free-arm machine. I’m planning on using a folding L-shaped accessory table to provide an extension for all of the tops when needed. It’s in the planning stages.
I’m still working out the details of belting for each machine. The Singer 306W (zigzag) machine and the Singer 66 Redeye can both use the same regular leather belt, although it’s a little snug on the 66. I’ve been experimenting with oxygen tubing on the serger, but I don’t think I’ll use it for permanent belting.
Is anyone else experimenting with a stripped-down traveling treadle?
CD in Oklahoma
The stand is a Singer tubular straight-leg with the original wooden cabinet removed. I also removed the skirt guard around the flywheel. Top #1 that I’m using for the common Singer heads is from a Singer Model 56 (electric) Economy Cabinet. Top #2 that I’m using for a Bernette 3-thread serger is the fold-out extension from the Model 56 cabinet, inverted to use the best surface, with a belt slot cut near the front edge. These two tops are attached to the stand with 4 screws. I’m working on a Singer 3/4-sized top, but haven’t gotten it going yet, and want to eventually have tops for several different machine heads, including a free-arm machine. I’m planning on using a folding L-shaped accessory table to provide an extension for all of the tops when needed. It’s in the planning stages.
I’m still working out the details of belting for each machine. The Singer 306W (zigzag) machine and the Singer 66 Redeye can both use the same regular leather belt, although it’s a little snug on the 66. I’ve been experimenting with oxygen tubing on the serger, but I don’t think I’ll use it for permanent belting.
Is anyone else experimenting with a stripped-down traveling treadle?
CD in Oklahoma
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
They all look very nice and more portable than a regular treadle. When my husband and son brought my treadle in the cabinet into my sewing room, they asked me where I wanted it. I had a nice spot against the wall all planned for her. After sitting her in her spot, they asked if I wanted to move her. I said, "that's where I want her, and that's where she'll stay" She is just too heavy to move. I could see moving one of your mutts.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Too bad we couldn't get someone to fabricate us a base from aluminum. That would reduce the weight considerably.
CD, I like your idea a lot. But the idea of sacrificing my old straight leg treadle makes me tear up. So I'll have to wait till I find one with out a top and machine.
Joe
CD, I like your idea a lot. But the idea of sacrificing my old straight leg treadle makes me tear up. So I'll have to wait till I find one with out a top and machine.
Joe
#8
This treadle came along just in time. I had been struggling with the idea of loading, hauling, and unloading the spare industrial stand that I originally had ear-marked for this project. I came up with another straight-leg cabinet in excellent condition during this time, but it’s much too nice to use for a MUTT.
My MUTT stand has paint issues up toward the top of the legs. The paint is peeling and the metal is rusting. The rust and the brown paint nearly match each other in color, so I didn’t even notice it at first. The cabinet top is not very good either, so I decided to use this stand for my base. The treadle had a Singer 15-91 in it by the way, so that head won’t miss the treadle stand at all.
I’m planning on re-painting the MUTT stand flat black, even though I don’t think that they ever came out that way. I really don’t think that I need to worry about keeping it “original”, when I’m putting tops and heads on it that don’t match it anyway. I like black treadles more than brown ones, and I like the flat black better than the glossy black. I’ll highlight the “SINGER” name on the crossbar with gold paint to give it a little pizzaz. If I’m going to have a mutt, it might as well look like one.....
CD in Oklahoma
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
I have been thinking about this possibility, too, after seeing another discussion about multi machine tops on treadle bases. When I went to the Gold Country TOGA last year, I started thinking about how we could bring our treadles up there without breaking our backs!! I have 4 treadle machines now, but no good way to transport them. When you get all the issues worked out, post a tute.
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