Davis Walking Foot Machine... Any good?

[Talonzz]

While rummaging thru the local antique shops back room I found an old treadle sewing machine... the machine looked to be in good condition, but the Wooden case/table was shot to he77... I asked the guy how much he wanted for it, being a cabinet maker I figured I could re-build the cabinet. He told me $20.

Has anyone had any experience with these old gems? I know they are used alot in the quilting circles. I would be using it to sew together moccasin weight leather and thinner. I figure if most people are hand cranking the motorized machines anyway... why pay for the motor? and with a treadle i can crank the machine and still use both hands to guide the material thru.

A couple of links:

http://www.scripophily.net/davsewmaccom.html

http://www.ismacs.net/davis/davis_walking_foot_machine.html

http://sewwonderful.blogspot.com/2008/09/d...tical-feed.html

[Cobra Steve]

Talonzz, this machine will be better served as a conversation piece. It is truly a collectors item. As I recall, it had the long bobbin that traveled front to back, not at a radius. You should not try and "fix it up" or polish, paint or clean with chemicals. This will drop the value of the machine. That's all I can tell you. Thanks, Steve

[Talonzz]

Thanks for the Response Cobra Steve... and the Info