A White Family Rotary treadle machine has joined the sewing machine family in my sewing room. I have a lot to learn! Does anyone know what the key to the drawers looks like? It has a couple of locked drawers and I just know there are treasures inside! This pic is just the craigslist pic, more to come! I'm so excited to start playing with her.

Beautiful! What a find!

Wow. I hope you find a key, or at least maybe a bobbie pin would work! Exciting, uh?

I've heard that a screwdriver will open some of the old locks. Worth a careful, gentle try.

Look on eBay. There are lots of treadle keys available.

It's beautiful

It is a triangle. I got one at my local antique store for the same price as on ebay, but without the waiting! Enjoy!

Any chance the drawers might just be stuck, sometimes the wood is warped enough to make them seem like they are locked when they won't open.

I am sure a good locksmith can get in and make a key in short order. Can't imagine this would be too expensive either. Exciting to think about the treasures within (smile).

Is that what your going to tell your husband? LOL
I bet the key is locked in one of the drawers. The spare key that is.

Ooohhh, she's pretty!

Be sure to let us know what treasures you find inside!

Sorry-double posted!

Pretty!

Do you know that there is no key for it. Sometimes the key is taped to the underside. Also, I have from time to time seen these keys on ebay. Also try several skeleton keys. You'll find one that will work.

Call some lock smiths, sometimes they have entire rings of skeleton keys and will let you take it home and try them all til you find one that fits and charge you a minimal fee for it.

My Singer treadle has what looks like a skeleton key but the end is a square There are screw drivers like this Harbor Frieght Tools has a set for around $4 I hope this helps you get into your pretty new baby

Bet shes gonna love her new home!!!

See what happens when u feed them? They hang around and never leave!!

And her new home is going to love her! My mother gave my grandmother's treadle to my neice. I was so sad about that. I have (supposedly, I have not seen it for years as DH has stored it with his bro) a treadle that belonged to DH's great aunt but it is just not the same as my grandmother's. I hope my Brother in Law does not let it follow someone else home someday.

Thanks for sharing. Yes, let us know what is in the drawers.

WOW think I'll go drive around a bit..see if one follows me home...lol...congrats

look in vintage machine shop here in search under come and sit a spell theres several keys posted and billy knows all!

keep the pictures coming..love to hear what you find in those drawers

I keep checking the porch, but so far not one stray machine has followed me home yet! I got all mine at the shelter...

I do know that they have them on ebay under Antique Sewing Machines can vary in price so look at all before you purchase. Only a suggestion.

I have an old white in a cabinet. The top drawers on both sides have a catch that you have to release by putting your hand in the second drawer and pushing on the catch while pulling on the top drawer.

Could this be why you cannot open a couple of drawers?

Just a thought,
Jean

I bought a key for my White Rotary on eBay recently for about $8. Enjoy that "new" machine!

beautiful machine i would try buying a key first

My Mother's old Singer uses a key with the end that inserts about 1/8" wide, 1/4" long and 1/16" thick. It is flat with the corners slightly rounded. You might try to use a small screwdriver. Good luck!

can't wait to see the treasures in the drawers!

You have to be SO careful with these old machines, they're like homeless pussycats... One day they just adopt you and it's love at first sight. ;-)

Lucky you!

I have an old Singer in a case that was locked with no key and thanks to help from people on this board I unlocked in in seconds with a little screw driver. Good luck!

Bingo!! I tried your suggestion and it worked like a charm. The metal box of accessories was in one of the drawers, and lots of thread, beads, old hand needle packages. I am going to look for a belt today, since the woman who owned it just used it for decoration. She couldn't believe I was going to get it up and running! My sweet, talented husband is going to restore the cabinet this winter. I dreamed about treadles all night!! :lol:

so glad you got it open.

Lucky you!

Yours looks like the machine I inherited from my paternal grandmother. I have had her for at least 45 years but my grandmother passed away about 55 years ago so I know it is at least that old. Funny how we seem to love the old things. None of my daughters sew, wonder who will love her when I am gone?

You are going to have so much fun. Don't know about the drawers.

I am so glad this worked. I almost didn't post it because my top drawers are narrower than the others, and yours are all the same size.

Jean

A very beautiful machine. Cabinet looks to be in great shape. Have much fun :)

if the hole is square, try a screwdriver or a cement nail. or take an unlock drawer to a key shop and ask for a key to fit.