I am not sure either, but Billy told us that the wood pitman usually meant a treadle was pre 1900.

Nancy

I'd love to take you up on that! The spousal unit just pointed out to me tonight that Allegiant Airline is opening up a route between Redmond and San Francisco, and the initial rates are a whopping $9.19 per person! Problem with that would be that I'm surprising him with his daughters for his birthday in May, and will be flying them in from Florida, so we'll be taking vacation then, and won't get another one for awhile!

The machine doesn't care what sort of treadle irons/pitman is powering it as long as it works! I have an 1895 treadle set up and it fits all of Singer treadle heads. I also have a set of Elgin irons that I've got a top from a early 1900s Singer coffin top. The picture you see here shows the Singer 66-1 head in the same cabinet as the one in the webshots pic.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...45965719cnSsAp

I'm stating to refinish a Raymond, does anyone have any info on this machine?

Yep the pre 1900 Singers had the wooden pitman arm and a few might have slipped into the 1900 run but not many.

Wow I go away for a little while and we are up to 3000 pages! I cant remember what page I was on when I started getting sick but I am going to have fun trying to catch up LOL. I will be dropping in from time to time to try to catch up on the machines and all that you have rescued and to show you a few of mine that I need to refurbish still. Thanks to my daughter she has gotten into the buying role and she has brought home several scores that I am proud of. She is like a nomadic trader when it comes to what she will pay and I will say she is really good at it. I think she has watched one to many "American Pickers" LOL!

Billy

Billy it is great to have you back! We have muddled along ok, but have missed your input! I hope this means you are getting better?

Nancy

Yes I am getting a little better but I still have my days here and there but I promise to be around more! I just never thought that when I started this thing that it would take off like it has. I am glad that everyone is having a ball and that there is so much enthusiasm for the vintage machines especially the treadles.

Billy

Couldn't have done it without you!! Hope you are feeling better!

Welcome back, Billy. I have a question for you. I haven't seemed to get a definitive answer to and I can't access the pictures on your tutorial. My computer won't open any pre change pics, but that's not the problem. Will kerosene remove the decals on a 1918 machine - a Redeye to be exact? It's not coming clean and I'm getting impatient. I'm thinking from the smell that 'Grandma' kept the machine very close to a oil burning space heater. I'm ready to soak it in kerosene, but will the decals survive? Thank you, Billy, or anyone else who can give me a clear answer on this. Judy

Ok - thanks to the internet I think I have it figured out...

REDNECK HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

1. Buy a pair of size 14-16 work boots.

2. Put them on the front porch with a copy of Guns & Ammo.

3. Put some giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazine.

4. Leave a note on the door: "Bubba: Me & Bertha went for more ammo and beer. Back soon. Don't mess with the pit bulls; they messed the mailman up bad this morning. I don't think Killer took part; hard to tell from all the blood. I locked all four of ‘em in the house. Better wait outside. Be right back. Cooter"