Valkyrie Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I have a treadle. 1937 15K80 with RAF decals on it. Not bad at all, needs a jolly good clean in the workings where the oil is a bit glooped and the wood needs a little bit of a light makeover - for the most part it's good. Here endeth my foray into buying old timers! I've used the little baby so far and I'm loving the way she works. This one I've called Vera (Lynn) - I wonder how many more are called Vera of this era! Sorry for the rhyme - happy accident! I got it from a little, well for want of a better word, curiosity shop - the lady loves old sewing machines to tinker with - among other vintagey stuff. She had the most beautiful (possibly German) machine with mother of pearl all over and a coffin box that looked more like a mausoleum! It was stunning with wood inlays and veneered to make stars. But that stayed in the shop. I wanted normal bobbin and not a shuttle. I will have to find a replacement screw as the hinges are missing one to hold the machine onto the treadle - just makes it a little awkward sometimes when folding her away. The belt was missing, but I was given a new one at the shop. So over Christmas I'll be cleaning her up and then I'll post pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I was looking for a real baby did not notice the crafty fingers bit! Congrats, look forward to piccies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 21, 2016 Author Share Posted December 21, 2016 I should have said old new baby. I think she's warmed up a bit because she moves quite well now - still needs a darned good clean up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Welcome to the strange world of Valkyrie Vera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 Oi! Cheeky Plum! I've only fondled her once today - mainly as I've opened her up. Little Pat Bond is in her suitcase. I've been tempted to do a bit of ventriloquism: "Lemme out!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 You can see how icky she was: But the tension part was great when I cleaned that up. Also cleaned a little bit more inside and the foot lever is now shiny. Still need to do a bit more inside as it's still a bit gungy on the foot side - the needle side is done: And after playing with the right side of the machine and cleaning that up too here is Vera having been oiled all over and now resting so that it sinks into the japanning. I'll be giving her a once over with a soft cloth in the morning. I'll also be tackling the bit underneath and the bobbin area tomorrow. Almost done! And as for the paper - don't judge me! It's my mum's used ones and I'm recycling them (usually under the roosting bars - and just recently for decorating covers LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I think that looks beautiful. You have done a good job to get it looking like that. Are you going to use it to make something or is it just decoration ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 I shall be using her. I've finished cleaning the underneath and the bobbin area. Not too bad - apart from looking up into the cavity and seeing little spider webs and the exoskeletons where the spiders grew! Hoovered and wiped away now. I've also gone back and cleaned the other foot holder and it's good to go - apart from bobbins and some needles I'm almost there - I'll be putting the treadle belt on next. DH came in and said wow that's shiny! I've wiped the excess oil and buffed it. I'm not worried about the wood outside - I'll wait for summer and do it outside while giving the machine a bit of a service too. I have enjoyed this part immensely! I can see why people like to renovate them - gives you such a buzz to see a beautiful machine come out of the grime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 And she is beautiful, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 20, 2017 Author Share Posted January 20, 2017 She's still shiny and now I've fitted the belt on. I also put the old needle back in because it's only grubby and not rusty and had a play with some paper. Yessir I can treadle eddle eddle all day long! So I've ordered the parts like bobbins (well I'm not using the rusty one) and had a chat with Helen (Howes) and a couple of other bits and hopefully I'll get them either Saturday or Monday in the post. I need to have a go with the bobbin winder and to check that the mechanism is actually picking up the thread. No reason to believe why it wouldn't though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I hope you wear something retro as you ' treddle, treddle, treddle all day long' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 21, 2017 Author Share Posted January 21, 2017 She works. Bobbin winding is a bit of an issue as I've tried all sorts to get the winder in contact with the wheel, but can only do it by holding it down. I've looked online and it seems that lots of people have the same problem and say they hold theirs down - even if it's been in the family and looked after for yonks. I'll give the lady a call on Monday as some of the new bobbins don't even fit on the winder and if she knows how to adjust it any way. But one does and I wound it and I've sewn some strips onto paper. Tension looks good and I'm well impressed with the machine considering how old it is, a little issue like bobbin winding is nothing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Oh what a great job cleaning her up. I used to have a pfaff treadle when we got married in 1972, bought at an auction, it made all my curtains and cushion covers etc. Wish I had kept it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 I bet she was a beauty. I wonder who has her now? Nice looked after machines seem to go very quickly these days. I hope she's still turning out curtains! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
