Is it Heavy Duty enough for kilting?

**Bart_In_A_Kilt** · 25th July 09, 06:17 PM

Sorry that I've been gone so long gents, but our kids trip to Edinburgh is fast aproaching and we;ve been busy.

I just made a purchase to help my kilt / sporran making as well as for working on my old cars interrior. What do you think?

**Rex_Tremende** · 25th July 09, 06:22 PM

Wow, that looks sturdy. Are you sure that's not an actual old car engine?

Looking forward to the projects you produce on it. Don't be a stranger!

Regards,
Rex.

**sydnie7** · 25th July 09, 07:51 PM

Looks more aircraft-inspired to me! Love that old streamlined design ethic. I bet it could tell some stories, too. Glad to see it get a good home!

**jgcunningham** · 25th July 09, 09:42 PM

Those are great machines. We have one at my college theatre costume shop. I've used it to repair heavy velour curtains. It went through several layers with no problems. Just be sure to keep the oil at the right level.

**Chas** · 26th July 09, 08:29 AM

I just love those Singers with the external belt. They were a transition between treadle and motor power. Singer used to advertise that a machinist could keep on going after a power cut. Is this one of the constant speed motor types, with the speed controlled by a clutch?

Regards

Chas

**Jake_S** · 4th August 09, 07:15 PM

I don't know, it looks a little lightweight for serious sewing.

J/k, that thing looks like it would go through several layers of leather without slowing down. Make sure your finger do not get in the way!

Jake

**vorpallemur** · 4th August 09, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

I just love those Singers with the external belt. They were a transition between treadle and motor power. Singer used to advertise that a machinist could keep on going after a power cut. Is this one of the constant speed motor types, with the speed controlled by a clutch?

If it's a clutch motor, consider getting a servo motor to replace it. A servo motor is quieter, doesn't run except when it's sewing, has less vibration, saves energy, and is easier to control.

Most industrial machines are driven by belt: motors are fairly expensive, and are the only part of the machine that's expected to wear out. An external motor allows the motor to be changed: the same head with a 1/4 HP high speed motor is suited for entirely different set of tasks as would with a slower speed 3/4 HP motor. Now that decent servo motors are available at reasonable cost, direct drive machines are starting to show up, but mostly as pretty specialized or high-end machines.

**Eujeankilt** · 5th August 09, 07:24 AM

I second that advice. I bought servo motor from Artisan sewing in LA for $160 new. I went from a 3600 RPM to a 1800 RPM and it has a four position speed selector and is way more controllable than the clutch motor. Also, it only spins when you push the pedal. It still can sew faster than I can keep up with. Great investment.

Dale

Originally Posted by vorpallemur

If it's a clutch motor, consider getting a servo motor to replace it. A servo motor is quieter, doesn't run except when it's sewing, has less vibration, saves energy, and is easier to control.

Most industrial machines are driven by belt: motors are fairly expensive, and are the only part of the machine that's expected to wear out. An external motor allows the motor to be changed: the same head with a 1/4 HP high speed motor is suited for entirely different set of tasks as would with a slower speed 3/4 HP motor. Now that decent servo motors are available at reasonable cost, direct drive machines are starting to show up, but mostly as pretty specialized or high-end machines.

**Farlander** · 5th August 09, 08:41 AM

That is a serious sewing machine; I like it!

Upgrading the motor as recently mentioned is a great idea. I would advise though getting a complete motor package that includes motor, controller and foot pedal like EujeanKilt found. Finding a great deal on just a 'servo motor' is not enough. The problem is that there are may kinds of servo motors (AC, DC, brushless, single phase, three phase, stepper, encoder feedback and so on...). Not all of these motors are suited for residential power (as in 120 VAC). Moreover, the motor controller alone can run many hundreds of dollars and be a real challenge to wire.

**vorpallemur** · 5th August 09, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Farlander

That is a serious sewing machine; I like it!

Upgrading the motor as recently mentioned is a great idea. I would advise though getting a complete motor package that includes motor, controller and foot pedal like EujeanKilt found. Finding a great deal on just a 'servo motor' is not enough. The problem is that there are may kinds of servo motors (AC, DC, brushless, single phase, three phase, stepper, encoder feedback and so on...). Not all of these motors are suited for residential power (as in 120 VAC). Moreover, the motor controller alone can run many hundreds of dollars and be a real challenge to wire.

The sewing machine servo motors are sold as a drop in replacement for clutch motors. They come complete with a controller, pulley, mounting brackets and so on. They use the same mechanical connection to the treadle as clutch motors. Depending on the brand and model, you might get a way to select the maximum speed, to change the direction of rotation (overlock machines usually run the wrong way), and a switched outlet to plug a work light into. $200 buys the high-end 1/2 HP models.