My grandmother's treadle Vertical Feed
 

Just yesterday I got my grandmother's sewing machine. It is a Davis Vertical Feed. 1916
3712731 What information can you tell me about this machine? It has two foot lifter levers instead
of one....why? Manual was partially eaten by mice, so not much info. Need to buy a belt for it. where?
How do I get rust off of scissors that were in the drawer, attachments & parts? I got some info. from
the internet. Any info is appreciated. Thanks

Hi,

Your Davis NVF or "New Vertical feed" was made from roughly 1912-1924 when Davis went bankrupt. The bottom lift lever acts as the ordinary one and the top is for thick material or high seams when in the up position.

There is a copy of the manual in the Yahoo Davis VF group:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...sec=dir&slk=25

The manual has the old style Davis tension but the rest should be the same.

Belts can be gotten off the internet or local sewing supply (?) and you will need 3/16" x 6'. Installation tips can also be found online. Treadle On is a good group for treadle sewing info if your not already a member.

I'd use evaporust and 0000 steel wool if the scissors arn't too far gone. Most likely they'll need to be sharpened if there worth saving. Be careful of rusty tools and Good Luck

Jon

Thank you so much for the info, Jon. Any idea what it's value might be?

Whatever the market will bear. :D

the key that Jon is assuming you understand here is that the "vertical feed" is sorta like what is called "walking foot" today. That is why it has two feet. One is part of the feed for the fabric. The needle itself does the rest, like rowing a boat. paddle in, move forward, paddle up. in this case needle in, foot holds, needle and food move back taking fabric, needle and then foot lift up and move forward.

This machine was very revolutionary. it is Totally undervalued in the market. A complete Mother of Pearl covered cabinet version is listed for $425 and still no takers after 3 weeks....

The fact that this is your Grandmothers is where the TRUE value lies. Several of us would give quite a lot of our very rare and expensive machines for a chance to have the machine that an ancestor sewed on

Thank you, Steve. I count it a blessing to have this machine. My grandmother who owned it passed away before I was born. The machine has been in an empty house (my aunt's) for several years, and there were mouse nests in the
drawers. It has most/all attachments, thimbles, oil can, screw drivers etc. I hope to sew with it. I have so much to learn about it.

Glad you were able to get your grandmothers machine.

Jon, I need help with getting manual for my machine. I thought I joined the Yahoo Davis VF group like
you mentioned, but can't find the manual & when I sent e-mail for help to this group, it came back
unable to deliver. My manual was eaten by mice before I got it. Your help would be appreciated.
Mae

From VF group homepage: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...sec=dir&slk=25

Click on "Files"

Click on "Davis VF Manual Part 1.pdf"

Click on "Davis VF Manual Part 2.pdf"

Jon

Did all of the above. can't open the 2009 Davis VF Manual Part1.pdf or Part 2 What next, please?
Thanks, Mae