How to Remove the Machine Head on Antique Sewing Machines

Wooden cabinets house the sewing machine head.

Antique sewing machines are made up of a sewing machine head mounted on a table called a cabinet and are treadle-to-wheel powered. The treadle is the flat surface where the sewer's feet cause a back and forth motion that moves the belt on the wheel attached to the machine head. To update the antique machine, the easiest step is to remove the machine head from the treadle cabinet. After, you will need to insert a motor and electric power cord to replace the power source.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Newspapers

Instructions

1. Remove the belt from the wheel on the machine head by removing the hook at one end of the belt. Save the belt with the treadle cabinet for future use.

2. Unscrew the hinges along the back of the sewing machine using the screwdriver. The hinges are removed by using the screwdriver to pop the head off one end of the hinge and sliding out the metal bar.

3. Lift the sewing machine so the bottom is exposed.

4. Remove the screws that attach the sewing machine to the pins in the cabinet. These are on both ends of the sewing machine.

5. Lift the sewing machine out of the cabinet space and set it upon a table or work space covered in newspapers, to await a cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to keep all the parts to the treadle cabinet for later use or sale.

• Clean the sewing machine head after removal from the cabinet, as there will be a build up of oil at the base after many years of service.

• The antique sewing machines are mostly made of iron, therefore the machine head will be heavy. Lift with the machine carefully.

References

• Treadle On; Selecting an Old Treadle Sewing Machine for Use
• Singer Company; Singer Sewing Machine No. 66 Instruction Manual