Charlee, she's beautiful!

Jeanette Frantz

My local people have a $45 minimum, but everything usually costs more in Australia.

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Above are photos of my National Two Spool Treadle. She's in pretty good shape, just needs cleaning, lubricating, polishing, etc. She used to belong to my husband's great-grandmother! I have no idea what her age is -- but she shows some wear on the decals on the bed. I haven't cleaned her up yet -- her cabinet is also in good shape -- may need refinishing, but no deep scratches, etc.

Jeanette Frantz

The wadding polish I use is made by Eagle One and is called Nevr Dull Wadding Polish. It comes in a can and is loose cotton (similar to batting) with a polish in it. I would try it and see what the results are before stripping and replating. ALWAYS check the label on any product to see if it is compatible with what you are going to use it on FIRST. It is also important to know that the older Vintage machines were plated in Nickel, not chrome. Newer machines like some Clones and others were Chrome plated. Usually if it works on Nickel, it is good for chrome as well, and visa versa. And Miriam's question, What if the plating is coming off? It depends on how much is coming off. A flake here and there might not look bad enough to do anything about after polishing. If it is really bad, something else might need to be done. I have had great results with some products and it didn't need anything else, other times it needs to have something else done to it to get the results you want. I have a (shelved for now) project Singer 66 that was in really bad shape, so I had the handwheel and other parts chrome plated ($). But usually there is something you can do to compensate for that. I have gone to an auto parts store and read a lot of labels to see what they have to offer. A little homework can arm you with a wealth of choices. I always start with the one with the least chance of damaging the item first and work my way up from there if I don't get the results I am looking for. As far as toothpaste, I have not tried it on a machine myself. That is probably because I have too many other products I can use that were specifically made for what I am trying to do. I have used a lot of other products and tools that I can't in good conscience recommend to someone to use because they can quickly destroy things if you are not experienced with using them.
Well, that is my two cents worth.
~G~

Hi Billy & Forum,

Wow, that's a beautiful Red Eye Singer, and awesome Henderson!

I am a recent enthusiast. I spotted a treadle sewing machine last Saturday... I fell in love with the well used Vindex that is missing the bobbin plate and brought her home.

We have the Vindex cleaned, oiled and ready roll, except... We will have my mechanical engineer son make the bobbin plate cover, once I confirm it is the same simple sliding plate that most are - and get a belt.

The next day we bought a Singer Red Eye. I would have said she's in great shape until I saw the pic of yours :) We're pretty sure she'll sew perfectly once we get her a belt. Bought her from a gal that used to sew with her, then stored her in the garage for many, many years.

I will post pics once the machines are back in their cabinets (from their cleaning and oiling once over). I do need help with a few things please. Does this "quick reply" post to the forum, or just reply to you? I have never blogged or forumed (new word?) before... Not sure whether to "quick reply", or "blog this post"?

More importantly I am having difficulty (as a neophyte) finding manuals (even threading instructions!) on the Vindex. I think it's late 1800, early 1900 machine. The National Sewing Machine Co. branded their machines in so many ways that they lost their own history is my conclusion at first glance :( She is not a Vindex B, but she looks like one.

Can anyone lead me in the correct direction for maintenance directions for the Vindex or National machines?

So you looking to sell her?

I just ordered a belt for my treadle from Sew-Classic. They're on sale for $6.49 + Shipping. I know they're $13-14 here locally (North Central Florida) It's getting time for this old woman to hit the hay!

Jeanette Frantz

My old Singer 328K has two spool pins -- but it also can use double needles, thus it needs two thread spools!

Jeanette Frantz

Very pretty machine, Jeanette. It being a family machine makes it even better. You plan to use it, don't you?

This is suppose to be just photos. We have a vintage sewing machine shop just for chatting:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ll-t43881.html - best to not start at the beginning. Way too much to read. If you keep up every day you might keep up...