Someone local is selling a Jones treadle machine for 
£45. The owner thinks it's working ok but it hasn't 
been used for years. She's not sure how old it is, but 
it converts back into a table, with the machine 
underneath, out of sight.

She mentioned a belt drive of some sort, but I'm unsure 
whether she was referring to the treadle or the sewing 
machine.

Q. What are the chances of getting hold of spares for 
these machines, in particular the needles or the above 
belt? TIA.

Quoting from message 
 posted on 7 Oct 2009 by Bertie Doe
 I would like to add:

> She mentioned a belt drive of some sort, but I'm unsure
> whether she was referring to the treadle or the sewing
> machine.

The belt is from the wheel operated by the treadle to the smaller 
wheel which drives the needle mechanism.

> Q. What are the chances of getting hold of spares for
> these machines, in particular the needles or the above
> belt? TIA.

Needles shouldn't be a great problem and a belt, should it be needed, 
can be made from a length of clothesline thickness cord which doesn't 
stretch (when you see the belt you'll know what I mean - these belts 
can be spliced or even carefully stapled) with a little ingenuity a 
belt can be made (as in using a nylon stocking as a temporary 
replacement for a broken fan-belt in older cars).

I'd be more concerned about the shuttle and bobbin for the lower 
thread - if the shuttle is torpedo shaped then finding spare bobbins 
could be difficult, they do crop up from time to time at antique 
fairs.

If the shuttle is for a circular bobbin then there's more chance of 
finding one to fit.

-- 
.ElaineJ.  Briallen Traditional Crafts at http://www.briallen.co.uk
.Virtual.  Corn Dollies, Handmade Felt, Coasters, Handmade Soap 
StrongArm  Jones' Pages at http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/ejones
.RISC PC.  Corwen, North Wales; Steam Traction;CMMGB&Yukon Volunteers.

"Elaine Jones" < wrote in message
> Quoting from message
> posted on 7 Oct 2009 by Bertie Doe
> I would like to add:
>
>> She mentioned a belt drive of some sort, but I'm 
>> unsure
>> whether she was referring to the treadle or the 
>> sewing
>> machine.
>
> The belt is from the wheel operated by the treadle to 
> the smaller
> wheel which drives the needle mechanism.
>
>> Q. What are the chances of getting hold of spares 
>> for
>> these machines, in particular the needles or the 
>> above
>> belt? TIA.
>
> Needles shouldn't be a great problem and a belt, 
> should it be needed,
> can be made from a length of clothesline thickness 
> cord which doesn't
> stretch (when you see the belt you'll know what I 
> mean - these belts
> can be spliced or even carefully stapled) with a 
> little ingenuity a
> belt can be made (as in using a nylon stocking as a 
> temporary
> replacement for a broken fan-belt in older cars).
>
> I'd be more concerned about the shuttle and bobbin 
> for the lower
> thread - if the shuttle is torpedo shaped then 
> finding spare bobbins
> could be difficult, they do crop up from time to time 
> at antique
> fairs.
>
> If the shuttle is for a circular bobbin then there's 
> more chance of
> finding one to fit.
>

Thanks Elaine but my wife has spotted some 2nd hand 
electrical versions on ebay within the above £45 range. 
Also space saving advantages with electric. Where's the 
best site for recommendations for old Singers/Brother 
etc? Apart from general repairs, main job will be 
making linen gloves and also small bean bags from 
coffee sacks (Hessian, jute) No fancy stitched, simply 
heavy duty. TEA.