Converting an electric machine to a treadle
 

Can any of the older Berninas or Necchis be converted to a treadle?

I have heard that the Singer 237 can be converted to a treadle.

Here are some sites that might help you. I haven't read through them but did find them on the web.
https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/...e-ze0z1302zsau
https://www.offthegridnews.com/how-t...power-treadle/
https://homesteady.com/13426032/how-...wn-mower-belts

I gather you are wanting a zigzag to treadle. Yes, the 237 manual shows the Treadle Drive.

There are some electric Necchi machines that have a plugs in the bed to be removed so that it can be treadled. Supposedly the SuperNova is one that might. My SuperNova does not have the plugs. There a couple of more modern Necchi machines that can be treadled.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/5301386-post9.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/6041549-post7.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/8284981-post1.html

I haven't paid much attention to Bernina machines, but did find a couple that can be treadled.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/4116173-post1.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/7952759-post1.html

I don't remember for sure if the serger that CD put in a treadle actually worked very well, but there is a picture at https://www.quiltingboard.com/5232585-post1.html

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I have seen a few Berninas in original treadle cabinets, mostly flatbeds, I'm not sure about the freearm models. They have slighly different hand wheels to work with the leather belt, some are combo electical / treadle as well. I don't think it is that easy to convert the basic electrical models. With a bit of search you might find German made zigzag models in treadle cabinets, various brands. Some Singer 400 numbers came in treadle as well.

Thank you for the info.

Some ( all?) Necchi Supernovas have knock out plugs in the base to let a treadle belt go through them.

I have a Necchi BU and a Necchi Mira - would either of those be convertible?

I would think so. The bed does not extend under the hand wheel of the pictures I've seen of those machines. I'm not sure if the wonder wheel would interfere with the treadle belt path or not, but you don't have to worry about that https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/wink.png

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.