Posted 13 years ago
TQB
(1 item)
We went to look at an old farmhouse for sale. Didn't go for the house, but wound up picking this sewing machine and also a mid-century radio/record player console piece (not pictured). I've always wanted an old Singer. This needs a little cleaning and some TLC for the cable that turns the power wheel, but otherwise seems to work fine. The Singer website dates it to 1901.
The cable should actually be a round leather loop.
i bought one just like it for 100.00 how much did you get that for
Thanks Rob, that's what it looks like - but the existing one is loose, worn and dried out.
We paid $75 for this and a 1950s radio/turntable console! A neighbor was cleaning out their barn.
It should be relatively loose and about 1cm in diameter. It's supposed to bite rather than be tight, to avoid stress on the bearings and all that jazz. As long as it works that'll be fine. If it really is too losose and it's a reasonable thickness you might try some leather conditioning products such as leather oil which can then be completely wiped dry once the leather is fed, but check if this is appropriate as I could be completely wrong to advise this. Ultimately you could always trim it slightly and re-sticth the belt. I don't know how easy it is to replace the belt but ours is about the same age and I guess the belt is original. The Singer website will advise I suspect ... built to last forever these machines. Ours was handed down from grandmother to mother etc. I'm a bloke but I can use the machine, so it shows how brilliant they are!
You can still buy the leather belts for the treadle sewing machines . Some sewing machine centers carry them or you can find them on the internet . They cost around $10.00 each . This looks like the cabinet and machine are in very good condition . You got a good deal on it .
Thanks for all the belt suggestions! The existing one will not stay in its track, so I think it is too stretched, but I will try conditioning it and if that doesn't work, replacing.