PiecesinMn

I'm starting to look at treadle machines. Saw one on Craig List for a 1915 Singer 66 Red Eye in the cabinet for $150.00. Went and looked at the machine and the head decals were in very good condition and the cabinet was good as well. Sews well.
I don't know what would be a fair price. Can anyone give my some guidelines. Thanks.

quilt938

I usually go by how much I want it to determine if it's worth it or not...beautiful decals that I like and works and cabinet good I would pay $150. I posted pics of one a friend is wanting to sell (don't know her price yet) but I"m not sure I'd pay $100 for it - haven't sewn on it and it needs some bigtime cleaning I think and doubt it sews since I think the belt isn't fixed right - the decals are pretty -not super vivid IMO - but I don't know if I'd go over $100 for it - or even if I'd pay that. but I already have 2 treadles and one is another singer. for a beautiful Redeye like you described I'd probably pay $150. shoot I just paid $250 for a handcrank and no I don't think it was 'worth' that much but it had been cleaned and ready to sew and I was sewing on it and the decals were in nice condtion. I bonded with it and decided to buy it...just hope I don't bond with too many at that kind of price! but if I came across a beautiful one with nice floral decals I'd probably justify paying more since those appeal to me. if the handcrank I bought hadn't had nice decals I wouldn't have gotten it most likely. I passed on a pretty little pfaff treadle - the as-is price was $250 and it was one that wasn't as user-friendly with the shuttle and didn't have anything with it - pretty but the decals weren't vivid- they wre very faded and some were completely rubbed off. couldn't justify it..sigh...

quilt938

from things i've seen I think Minnesota is treadle heaven! you probably see tons of treadles up your way! I've been envious with Oregon and Minnesota!

PiecesinMn

Maybe it's our long winters have something to do with it.

PiecesinMn

Thanks for your thoughts.

quilt938

you're welcome- after reading and responding I'm re-thinking the treadle I was looking at - it's not perfect and will take up space...if the cabinet is in good shape for what she asks then maybe...I don't have unlimited space but I have a redeye that might convert back to treadle- think it has the spoked wheel on it - if the cabinet is nice...it's good to get perspective sometimes LOL!

Macybaby

Red Eyes are very common - and for $150 or more, I'd want the machine and cabinet in near perfect condition.

I personally don't think MN is super great for machines - though there are lots of them. I've found my very best deals in St. Louis MO area. I should add up how many MN and MO machines I've ended up with. I'm sure more from MN as I go there more often, and it's rare I don't come back with at least one machine.

Though my Demorest came from just north of Atlanta - and the owners had picked it up in WI years ago while traveling. So they hauled it from WI to GA, and then I hauled it from GA to SD - a well traveled machine.

quilt938 - maybe you should convert your RedEye to a hand crank. I bought an aftermarket one for this machine, it came with a motor that I removed.

quilt938

wow Cathy yours is beautiful! I have one I just 'had' to buy back when the 'fever' first hit and it's not in good cosmetic shape at all :-( the 2nd is much better(and to tell you how bad my memory is..whenI came across a 2nd one I thought' when did I get 2?!) but then I remembered

it seems like every goodwill or other posting about treadles or 'good' sewing machines I like - they're up north LOL! makes sense Missouri would be a good source...think I need to rent a cargo van and travel!

notsothoreau

Treadles in Portland seem to go for about $150. Prices seem better in Seattle. I guess it depends on what you want to use it for. I like to buy machines with good cabinets and great decals. But I also like to rescue machines.

purplefiend

I got my 2nd Red Eye treadle head for free. It was locked up from ancient oil and just a bit of rust. Its a 1921, sews very quietly and smoothly.
Sharon in Texas