I did it! My first Treadle has been purchased.
 

I found a singer 66, think it's a 1910. Looks complete, decals in good shape and did I mention SHE'S MINE!

Here's the ebay listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261145627857...84.m1439.l2649


As soon as I saw her I knew we were meant to be together. Now to be build her a box or find a cabinet.

She's a beauty!!!

She is a beauty!! Congratulations!

Need to put her in a 7 drawer treadle. They are happier there.

Joe

JOe,

she'll have to be happy with whatever cabinet I can find right now. I want to get her in production.....lol. Have found a parts manual and instruction manual that I downloaded. Now i need to find some bobbins, etc. Not sure what all I need since this is my first treadle.

Technically it's just a head right now. It won't be a treadle until it looks like this:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps3dd4ec91.jpg

Here is a comment or three based on those I have;

Parlor cabinets are nice looking, compact and NOISY. The cabinet encloses the treadle mechanism and acts like a megaphone.

5 drawer treadles ( two on each side and one in the middle ) are OK, but don't hold enough "stuff".

7 drawer treadles ( three on each side and one in the middle ) are great.

If the treadle you're looking at has wheels, make sure all four are there and turn freely. If they are rusted it is a big pain in the sit down part to free them up. Don't ask me how I know this ... :( .

Check the veneer around all the edges. If it's de-laminating but otherwise complete it's a fairly easy fix. If the veneer is cracked, chipped, and badly separating it's a big job to fix.

Ummmm, keep the moving parts oiled, and keep bottom of the pitman arm adjusted and oiled. That way it won't clunk too badly.

Try to find American or Japanese made treadle belts if you can. And try to find 1/4" belts. Most belts out there now are Chinese made 3/16" and I don't really care for them.

Bobbins are common. It takes Class 66 metal bobbins available darn near everywhere, but Sew-Classic has good ones, others may or may not. You can use the plastic ones if you run into them, they just came later.

Needles are common. It takes 15x1s or equivalent.

Feet and attachments; If it's a low shank machine they are common as can be. If it's a back clamp, you'll have to do some searching but they are still out there.

Joe

Joe,

I found a 7 drawer right here in my little community. I has a beat 66 head and a few chips in the laminate on the section that holds the head. You know, when the top is opened to the left, there are a few chips on the furthest right hand edge just to the right of the metal belt thingy...they want 350. what ya think?

Way too much.

I'd be tempted to pay that much for one that was totally pristine and mint with every attachment and the manual. Otherwise no.
There are just way to many of them out there.
The one I posted the pic of cost me less than 75.00 even after having to replace most of the treadle parts. It had been electrified and stripped of all the bottom parts other than the frame.
My #1 treadle cost a whopping $50.00 at an antique store and it was complete with manual and some attachments. It's just well used.

Good ones for a good price are out there. Don't pay too much.

Joe

Very pretty!!!!

Joe, you are a wealth of knowledge to all of us, even those that don't collect vintage machines.