I agree! You must give it a try.

Here in SW Ontario, we're "battening down the hatches" for the big storm. Of course, I started quilting and realized I was OUT of black thread, so I made a hasty trip to the fabric store. If I'm going to be snowed in for a couple of days, I want to be able to quilt!
But I digress.
I have a drawer to a treadle cabinet that I received with my Eastman cabinet. It doesn't belong to the Eastman, and it needs a new corner. The rest of it is pretty good. If anyone has need of it, just PM me and we'll figure out how to get it to you.
I've posted pics on the Members Buy and Sell page.

Nancy,
Your Free No.5 is beautiful! I have the same Free and treadle. I believe my treadle was in that style cabinet, but the person giving away my Free tossed the cabinet since it was all damaged. My treadle has a crack in irons and the pitman rod is missing the balls. One day I will fix that. I just love the decals on the Free No. 5.
Very NICE! Also enjoy that treadle in your sewing room.

Wish I knew someone with one so I could take it for a "test drive".

[quote=vintagemotif]90 lbs is light. It's my traveling farriers anvil. You pick such a thing up with your forearms, not your hands. Hug it to your chest and it's easy as can be. I can't move the shop anvil by myself.. it's 250lbs. I can, though, tip it over... ask me how I know. :lol:

Re: are there still blacksmiths? Actually yes. I'm a member of FABA, the Florida Artist Blacksmith Assoc. We are an affiliate of sorts with ABANA, the national blacksmith org. We have meetings all over the state of Florida. On any given saturday, there's usually a meet somewhere, doing something. There are many state and local chapters of ABANA throughout the US. Check your home state... you'd be surprised.

My specialty happens to be 18 and 19th century decorative colonial ironwork - candle holders, latches, musket ram rods, fireplace cranes, hooks, triangles, tools, curtain rods, carved animals heads and the like. I am an apprentice in the art, so it's simple stuff for me most of the time. I made a pennyfoot, three branch, black iron and copper bound unity candle holder for my wedding. :mrgreen: once I did a 4' long, fish tailed/pineapple twist broom stick out of 1" square stock. (no, it's NOT my ride!)

Yes, I could make pretty hinges for a sewing cabinet, but I don't work in cast and I don't usually work in copper or brass - other than as brushed or wired accents. Since I'm a hobbiest, I don't actually get the chance to pound much. I'm the only chick I know that will come to a screeching halt when I see a pile of rusted junk in the roadside trash. Truck springs, old files, tractor bearings.... all very useful! The files make awesome large utility knives and the springs make great tools.

Now, since I've been edu-ma-kated by all y'all, I would come to a screeching halt if I saw an OLD SEWING machine by the side of the road..... hey... a girl can dream!

Holy, stinking cow.... $40? You can't touch a treadle down here for less than $200... and there's a redeye in a thrift store with a $600 tag on it! Even the 201s, 15's, 66s go for $150. It's hard to find any old machine, especially singers, for less than $100. Saw a Minnesota and a Free both going for a couple hundred each.

[quote=kwendt][quote=vintagemotif][quote=kwendt][quote=vintagemotif

....

Now, since I've been edu-ma-kated by all y'all, I would come to a screeching halt if I saw an OLD SEWING machine by the side of the road..... hey... a girl can dream![/quote]


That is AWESOME! I learned something new today. Thanks!

I saw two free Redeyes on CLs yesterday morning, by evening they were gone. Just keep looking on CL, they will show up for cheap.

Where do you live? Sometimes I see free treadles listed on CL in the Bay Area. You could always pick one up for free or cheap.

Nancy,
Your Free treadle and cabinet are just gorgeous! I haven't seen one with such pretty and intact decals before. :mrgreen:
One of my Singer treadles is powered by a set of Elgin irons made by The Free Company, they sit on top of a Singer coffin top table.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...45965719ZYGmCi
Sharon W.