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Member since 3/11/07
Posts: 2074
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Posted on: 9/1/07 4:05 PM ET
I have a question.... my old Universal can be converted to a treadle, and I'd like to do this. BUT, the likelyhood of finding the treadle itself is kinda low.

How would one go about having a treadle made? Would I talk to a machinist or a woodworker? (The reason I think of a woodworker is because most treadle operated spinning wheels are wooden). What do you think would be best?
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Needle Needle Straight and Slim, Dust and Sweep the House for Him! --Grimm Fairy Tales
  
Member since 6/30/07
Posts: 44
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Posted on: 9/1/07 5:36 PM ET
I have seen treadles advertised on Craigslist.org. You can also post that you are looking for one there. Good Luck!
  
Member since 4/11/02
Posts: 1507
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Posted on: 9/1/07 7:38 PM ET
One can certainly have a carpenter make new cabinetry for a treadle, but having the iron parts (wheel, pitman, pedal, and connecting bits) fabricated from new would likely price the project out of most budgets.

It may take a bit of looking, but there are still millions (literally!) of old treadle bases around. If your machine is the Universal one often seen, it is a post-WWII Japanese made copy of a Singer class 15. It should easily fit in a Singer treadle, but not in one of another brand. Different manufacturers were careful to make their machine base sizes/shapes and hinge locations unique to discourage interchanging their machine into a base bought elsewhere. Luckily, Singers are the most common bases available now, or ever.

The actual conversion takes about 15 minutes, including fitting a belt to the correct length. If you can find someone with a pair of treadle belt pliers, count on 5 minutes.

Jennifer in Calgary
  
Member since 3/19/06
Posts: 3847
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Posted on: 9/1/07 7:44 PM ET
In reply to Lady_Mame
Custom making your own treadle base with the flywheel and all would probably be cost prohibitive especially compared to the cost of just buying one. Many of the long bobbin (vibrating shuttle) machines can be had at pretty low prices, just keep an eye out at garage sales and such.

You may want to get a base that fits thesize and shape of the bed on your sewing machine and that matches the hinge spacing.

Is there a clear path from the belt grove on the hand wheel to the area below the machine? If the base of the machine sitcks out there, you'll have a tough time putting it in a treadle, becasue the belt must go through to below the cabinet.

Honestly, I don't remeber what the machine looks like around the hand wheel and the bed portion below the hand wheel.
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www.Sew-Classic.com
  
Member since 3/11/07
Posts: 2074
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Posted on: 9/1/07 9:13 PM ET
In reply to SewClassic
Hrm. I'm not sure actually. But if it does, I can just have a hand-crank added and accomplish the same goal. Good thought, thanks Jenny.
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Needle Needle Straight and Slim, Dust and Sweep the House for Him! --Grimm Fairy Tales
  
Member since 3/11/07
Posts: 2074
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Posted on: 9/1/07 9:14 PM ET
In reply to Jennifer Hill
15 minutes?????????? Wow. You must be a whiz at this.

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Needle Needle Straight and Slim, Dust and Sweep the House for Him! --Grimm Fairy Tales
  
Member since 3/16/07
Posts: 888
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Posted on: 9/2/07 3:24 PM ET
In reply to Lady_Mame
No idea, exactly, but I know that Janome makes a new treadle machine for the Amish. All I know is what I've read on their website when looking for accessories for my machine. Maybe they sell a treadle or base or conversion kit. Whoever's buying these machines knows how to make them go.
  
Member since 6/22/04
Posts: 4602
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Posted on: 9/2/07 7:46 PM ET
Brand new ones are available at Lehmans.com.



Lehmans.com page
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Liz

thefittinglife.blogspot.com
  
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