Toga..?
 

Will someone please enlighten a foreigner:
I keep reading about people meeting for TOGAs. I guess they are not referring to Roman dress style and they are not meeting for cocktails. So what is a TOGA? Do I want one?

Stein

(T)readle (O)n (G)athering and (A)cademy

Basically a bunch of folks get together to talk about and use people powered machines

If you ever get the chance to go to one do it, you'll have the best time ever. I've been to two of them and will absolutely go to more.

Cari

It is tons of fun and you get to meet so many people with your same interests. Treadleon is a group you can join on Yahoo and their website is Treadleon.org. We have get together,s too, the same thing but put on by someone that is not on Trealeon, but all is welcome.

I went to YOGA once, but that hurt to much😏
But I have one of these, so I probably qualify. Best stitcher in the collection, this, no kidding this time.

That machine and cabinet are beautiful. Is that inlaid on the machine?

The white flower on the bed is mother of pearl, yes.

This machine was bought just to pimp the living room, but it's so much fun to sew I can't let it out of the workshop. Whenever I want to throw a particularly stubborn 50ish German or Italian ZZ unit at somebody, I sit by the treadle and do a few lines of needle therapy.

Wish I had more needles for it, though...Anyone just stumble over a large stash of system 339 narrow shank needles?

Stein

as a Transverse Singer Clone, it will use the same needles that any 12, 12k, etc can.

And I would not be surprised about that quality. The German made TS machines are some of the best sewing machines ever made. Frister & Rossmann is my personal fav of the TS machines

[QUOTE=SteveH;7367981]as a Transverse Singer Clone, it will use the same needles that any 12, 12k, etc can.

Tried that. They are a little thicker so they don't enter the center of the needle hole. They also need to sit so low in the clamp to stitch, that they are unstable. Either way I haven't been able to set up well enough to avoid skipping.

hmmmm.. Have you looked up in the receiver hole? may be gunk in there. I'll check my stock to see what I have in the needle department.

Wish I knew how made mine. It's a apparently a badged machine, and I can't quite pinpoint the maker. I looked at every decent picture of every known make I could find online, but some detail - often on the bobbin winder - is always off. All of the hundreds of German manufacturers of this period where probably not big enough to build for badging, but I think there where quite a few.
If you are interested in this and want to give it a go, I'll post more pictures. And there's a serial number, of course.

Stein

Sure, open up a new thread for the mystery German Machine!

TOGA is a gathering of members of Treadle On, I have been a member since 2007. We have gatherings all over the country and the world; over 2,000 members now. Our website is: www.treadleon.net , you will find a listing of the different TOGAs on the website. We promote the use of people powered machines, so that our sewing heritage won't die.
Sharon in Texas

Why, we're right on topic, having us a TOGA right here..? Okay, I'll do that, could be interesting

We can finish the needle talk here, I guess. The receptacle is a groove in front of the bar, easily visible, no gunk. The Singer 12 needles TreadleLady.com sold me are 1,3 mm shank. For the record: She did not promise they would work, and recommended I tested before I went overboard. The needles that work well (supposedly system 339) are 1 mm. (shank, not shaft). The hole is also higher in the S12 needle, i.e. must sit lower in the clamp.
To confuse matters more: I think you can find different thickness S12 shanks, maybe som needles will work.

That is a beautiful machine and table, would love one of those in my living room, hope you get the needles you need.

Stein, It is likely Treadlelady is out of Schmetz 12x1 and is selling NBx5. I am not sure of the dimensions, but it is listed as a replacement.

12x1 dimensions are 1.04mm Shank diameter; 32mm to top of eye and 37.3mm length to eye. Alternate is Boye 23.
If you give me an idea of where you are located, I can send you some needles. Contact me off list.

Hi,

System 339 is equvalent to a 12x1 needle. The length and shank diameter vary slightly between needle makers but 1.30 mm shank is quite a bit on the large side but probably OK for some machines.

One of these days I'll make it to the Gettysburg, PA TOGA and make a mini vacation there while I'm at it.

Jon

Jon, I am making every effort to get to the 2016 Lancaster PA gathering. Dates are June 24 & 25th. Planning to go straight from the NC Toga and spend time in Lancaster area with my husband earlier in the week. Hope you can make it.

Maria,

I forgot about the Lancaster TOGA and it's closer to me than Gettysburg. I was just in the neighborhood on Saturday picking up chocolate at Wilburs Chocolate Factory in Lititz, PA. I really should load up the car and raffle or give away some un needed stuff. These get togethers are a great idea.

Jon

Wilburs! I am jealous!!! You just reminded me of another reason I miss up north!!
Quite a ways to go for chocolate, isn't I?

The Wilbur Buds are to die for, like getting a Scooby snack. Spent some quality family time so it was well worth it though it would have been much easier ordering online or going to the local Boscov's.

Jon