My Alden looks like a 15 clone - I have 2 a black 3/4 size and a blue one.

Hey, you two are speaking your own language. What??? I've never even heard of an Alden. Joe, is that the machine in the picture on your profile?

DJ, the machine in my avatar is my late mothers HOTHER machine. A 15 clone made by JUKI.
The Alden is a ZZ machine I got from GW in Indianapolis some months back. You can read about it in this thread:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t184975.html Pictures too.

Miriam,
I've not seen any pics of the Alden 15 clones. Even Relics doesn't list Alden. They list Adler but not Alden.
I still haven't found a manual for it or any information either.

Joe

Ok I should shoot a pic - maybe it is an Adler. It is no doubt a clone of something though.

I was right aways thinking she needs a bigger needle in there. Let us know how it goes.

A Japanese 15 or 15 Clone - check out this: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t164361.html most of these pictured are Japanese 15. Some people put up pics of Japanese ZZers which are a bit more complicated. There are a few machines with the tension on the nose that are NOT Japanese 15s.

Joe, I read the thread you sent from your post in April. What a pretty machine! Sounds like you have an interesting hobby with all those older machines. I'm new to this Board and will pay attention to your posts in the future.

DJ,

Here is a larger picture of my HOTHER.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...on-Hother7.jpg
It is a perfect example of what we call the 15 clones. With a few differences it's almost the same as a Singer Mdl 15-90. They are excellent machines for the most part, are all metal (cast iron and steel) and will with reasonable maintenance last yours and your grand kids life.
This one was my mothers and I remember her using it way way back. So far back I can't remember her not having it. And I'm pushing 60. The old machine still sews beautifully.
This one was made by JUKI.
It says on the decal in the center of the bed: "Esto Perpetuum". Not sure what that means, but it sounds good.

I found a language translator. It translates "Esto Perpetuum" as "Be Unbroken". Latin to English. That fits this machine for sure.

Joe

Joe, that's a really beautiful machine and I know you treasure it because it was your mother's. I have my mother's treadle machine, but haven't tried to use it. We just use it as a table and I love just having it. I also have the first sewing machine my parents gave me in high school. It is a Singer--probably about 1973 or so. I haven't even opened the case since I started quilting about 9 years ago and bought a Bernina. Lately I've been thinking about it because I think it's steel and sturdy and maybe now that I know a little more about sewing I could make it work for me.

DJ,

That poor treadle, being used as a table ....... I can relate to that. I have three treadles and three electrics in cabinets and they are always burried with stuff .... or the cats are sleeping on them. I make covers to protect the wood.

Do yourself a favor, take out the Singer, open up the treadle, and use them. They get sluggish and difficult to use after they've sat for a while. Might need to oil them up really good. As much as I like my electrics, I get a lot of pleasure from my treadles. Especially my two 66s.

Joe