Opinion(s) Needed - Could This Singer Treadle Work Again?
 

I'm so sad that this machine was in pristine condition 4 years ago. Long story - but this is the condition I found it in today. My folks gave it to a friend to "store", but it was kept in an outbuilding where mice shredded the manual, old fabric scraps, and ruined everything that was in the drawers. I was able to salvage the metal attachments, oil cans, tools, etc., however many of those now have rust. My question to you fine experts is....can this machine be restored back to health? Once rust sets in on a machine....do I need to replace most parts? Can attachments be "unrusted"? I know there is a lot of information on this board about machine restoration, but I wanted your opinion on this machine. Is it worth the months of elbow grease? As far as I can find, this is a model 82. I'm not familiar with treadles at all....but it seems appealing to begin using them as I further my quilting journey. I love sewing on my Singer electrics (99, 66) for straight stitching,but treadles could be a new chapter.

I'm heart-broken this machine fell into ruin, but maybe it can still be saved? Could a (careful, dedicated) novice do it? I apologize if this is too many pictures - I'm still learning the rules of this board. :o Thanks in advance for looking at this.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]611677[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]611678[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]611679[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]611680[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]611681[/ATTACH]

Evaporust works great on the metal parts.

Thank you - just ordered Evaporust!

What a beautiful machine and cabinet. I know you will save it.

For this group, it looks wonderful. Several of us have bought far worse and brought them back to life. You may never get origianl beauty without major work, butI don't like to erase history either. Keep water away from your lovely decals. there are lots of hints available on the stickies here.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]611689[/ATTACH] This is one place I have gone shopping.. and yes. I have brought some back to life. and No , I didn't buy them all.

I've seen lots worse than this that people have been able to get back to good, working condition. I would suggest you start with the thread, which is second from the top of this forum page: https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...v-t167789.html

I would start with metal polish on the machine. Sometimes, it will take off the rust if it's not too deep. It's easier to use and less caustic than some rust removers. I don't know what brand I bought, but I got it at the grocery store.

Your machine looks like a model 15 to me. I'm no expert, but when the tension is on the end, it's usually a model 15.

After you watch some of those videos that Miriam suggests, you'll have a sense of direction on where to go from here. Most everyone on QB will be happy to help in any way they can. We all love old sewing machines.

bkay

I believe you have a 115 from about 1918. A manual for the 115 from that time period can be found at http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...ine-manual.pdf The manual for 115 on the Singer site is for a later machine from the 1960s, I believe.

Leon, is right about the stickies https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...s-t193635.html and https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...v-t167789.html

Also, about it not being that bad. I have used Nev-r Dull, Brasso and 0000 steel wool on some metal pieces that have been removed from the machine. I have not been able to get pieces to shine up to bare metal again after using Evaporust. I have used a dremel and metal polish, which will protect it, but still dark grey after Evaporust.

Patience and care will bring it back to functionality. A new belt would be in order.

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

Janey, I believe you are correct.
This machine is beautiful and well worth restoring!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]611704[/ATTACH]This was the one I had.