Finally got my antique treadle sewing machine working after 3 months

3 comments

3 Comments

Finally got my antique treadle sewing machine working after 3 months" - okay, I gotta ask, what broke on it that took 3 months? Those things are basically tanks. I've seen them dug out of barns with mice nests inside and they still turn over. Was it something weird like a busted shuttle race or a busted spring in the tension assembly? I've been sewing on a 1910 Singer for years and the only time I had to wait that long was tracking down a specific bobbin case. I'm honestly impressed you stuck with it, most people would've just bought a cheap modern machine by week two.

claire_gibson1mo ago

Double down on harper's point, bet he had to hand-file a replacement part from scrap brass.

harper_foster1mo ago

Three months seems like a lot for a treadle machine though... I mean, you said yourself they're basically tanks. Maybe you just got sidetracked or didn't really need it fixed that bad? @derek_perez I'm curious if you actually had to fabricate a part or something, because even a busted tension spring is like a ten minute swap if you have the right donor machine.