Treadle sewing machine requires little maintenance
Treadle sewing machines are driven by a leather cord which is fastened together with a hook or staple. These belts or cords are very durable and seldom need replacing, but occasionally they do dry rot or break.
New treadle cords come 68 inches to 76 inches in length with a staple or hook on one end and are designed to be cut and custom fit to each particular machine set-up. Replacing the cord on a treadle machine isn't as simple as slipping a belt over a flywheel, but the procedure isn't difficult.
Instructions
1. Raise the machine head to the working position.
2. Cut and remove the old cord if necessary.
3. Fold the new cord in half and run one end through the front hole located below the hand wheel and the other end through the back hole.
4. Position the cord in the belt groove on the left side of the hand wheel.
5. Thread the cord through the guides located on the flywheel. Most machines have only one guide at the front, but some may have a guide at the back also.
6. Place the cord in the groove of the flywheel and pull it up snug with the ends overlapping.
7. Place a mark where the staple end meets the free end, and mark on the free end where the staple or hook will go.
8. Remove the cord and cut straight across where you marked it. Use the finishing nail or ice pick to punch a hole in the center of the cord for the staple.
9. Replace the cord, making sure it is positioned in the groove of the hand wheel and the groove of the flywheel.
10. Pull the ends of the cord together and push the staple into the hole. Use the pliers to fold the end of the staple down to secure it.
Tips Warnings
The cord should be snug enough to turn the flywheel, but not so snug the machine is hard to treadle.
Be sure you do not cut the staple end of the cord.
