I decided to buy a new Singer treadle sewing machine from Lehmans instead of hunting for a used one. My new machine came Friday, and my husband and I spent various parts of the weekend putting it together.

The Lehman catalog stated that "the quality of the cabinet is not nearly as high as the USA-made ones from earlier days." Boy, howdy. It was a flimsy piece of junk, which came pre-scratched. The sewing machine head didnt quite fit through the opening when I folded it into the cabinet, and it chipped off a piece of the paper-thin veneer. Only four woodscrews (not included) attach the cast iron frame to the cabinet.

The frame is also of very poor quality, and was a real misery to put together. The heathen Chinee had sent nearly incomprehensible instructions, and within minutes we were ready to declare war on Taiwan. I used to be a machinist and my husband has sold and been around machines all his life, and we almost dispaired of getting the thing together.

I havent had the courage to try sewing on it yet, and am saving that joy for a day when Im feeling adventurous. The instruction booklet that came with the machine has drawings from the 1930s or 40s of a woman sewing, but absolutely no words. This should be fun.

The only advantage of the new machine is that it uses the same kind of bobbin that modern electric machines use. The old bobbins are probably not available, so if you buy a used machine be sure it comes with at least two or three bobbins. If you can get an old (made in the USA) treadle machine for less than the $349 my new one cost, Id say buy it. The workmanship will be vastly superior on the old one.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), July 12, 1999

Answers

Around here (western Wis) $100 would be considered expensive for a good used treadle sewing machine at an auction. There was one priced at $150 at an estate sale saturday, and everyone that looked at it walked away shaking their head and wondering what they thought they had. Didn't sell it. I've seen them go for $40 to $100, and around $100 at antique stores.

Jim

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), July 12, 1999.

I inherited a Singer from my grandmother. It uses the old-style long bobbin, and there are eight or 10 with the machine. Problem: Does anyone one out there know the bobbin fits underneath?

-- yerfdog (yerfdog@qwestinternet.net), July 12, 1999.

Here is a site that will help all of you.

Treadle Machine Parts

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), July 12, 1999.

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got mine for twenty bucks. buy used.

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), July 12, 1999.

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I have an old Treadle Singer. Chubby Hubby works at land fill and he sees them coming through all the time. He can't haul home a machine, but he does open the drawers and get the needles and long bobbins out and brings them home for me. Now I have to get him to start getting the leather whattchamacallit that that hooks treadle to machine.

Taz...who hates to sew on ANY machine.

-- Taz (Tassie@aol.com), July 12, 1999.

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Taz: whattchamacallit Belt?

-- Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr near Monterey, California (addy.available@my.webpage.neener.autospammers--regrets.greenspun), July 13, 1999.

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-- - (-@-.-), July 13, 1999.

Bought an old Singer treadle myself for 65 bucks, about 2 mo. ago. The woman sewed on it for me, but the tension is not right, looks like the bobbin tension is too loose, loops of thread on the underside. I haven't had the time to really sit down with it to figure it out. Didn't come with a manual, of course. If anyone can describe how to adjust the tension on these things or point me to additional info, would be greatly appreciated. Basic maintenance? What to oil to keep it in good condition? I've sewed on electric machines, so have some knowledge.

Thanks for a great forum, I love it here.

-- Bingo (ecsloma@spectra.net), July 13, 1999.

There should be a tiny screw on the bobbin case to turn either right or left to adjust the tension. Check out the link on my above post and go to the home page, then to the sewing links, there is a lot of information about treadle machines there. You can order any manual from Singer, give them a call.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), July 13, 1999.

Guess what! Singer manuals are available online! Model 66 is an old treadle machine- as is 18974. Model 127-3 seems to be a converted treadle. Check it out! Manuals can be downloaded in Acrobat format.

http://www.singershop.com/bonus/bonus_manuals_toc.html

Someone please link!

-- yerfdog (yerfdog@qwestinternet.net), July 13, 1999.

OOOPPPS!!! I gave wrong link info above here is the link for treadle machine manuals and how to thread and use.

Singer

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), July 13, 1999.

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Correction:

Guess what! Singer manuals are available online! Model 66 is an old treadle machine- as is SM15. Model 127-3 seems to be a converted treadle. Check it out! Manuals can be downloaded in Acrobat format.

http://www.singershop.com/bonus/bonus_manuals_toc.html

Someone please link!

-- yerfdog (yerfdog@qwestinternet.net), July 13, 1999.

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Some grandmothers, maiden aunts, and mothers-in-law may remember the fine points of sewing on a treadle machine. A helpful archive, when available.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), July 14, 1999.

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