Singer 111W155 - Larger Pulley On Clutch Motor?

[cmantz]

Finally got my singer 111w155 running. Had new hook put in and adjusted so now it actually will sew...well kinda I had 90 thread in top and bottom and it was fine. Switched to 138 and have some looping on the bottom...top thread looks great. So need to figure that out.

This machine has a clutch motor on it with a 2 1/8" pulley. Question: would switching out pulley to 5" pulley slow it down enough or do I just need to get a servo motor?

If I need a servo, any recommendations on the best place to get one?

Thanks

[Ferg]

Your machine will run slower with a smaller pulley on the motor than the machine head.

Call Bob Kovar at Industrial Sewing Machine. He has the servo you need.

ferg

[gottaknow]

A smaller pulley will slow it down. You'd do we'll to get a servo motor. I can't recommend one, the ones I use at work start at about $1000.

Regards, Eric

[Northmount]

Increase your top tension to pull the knot higher into the leather.

Tom

[cmantz]

If the machine was sewing good with lighter weight thread, seems like I would have to loosen tension when going to a thicker thread?

[Sunnyside Scott]

If the machine was sewing good with lighter weight thread, seems like I would have to loosen tension when going to a thicker thread?

I normally run a #22 needle with #138 and a #21 with #92 thread. Since you didn't mention if you increased your needle size with your thread size, I thought I would just throw it out there.

Scott

[Northmount]

If the machine was sewing good with lighter weight thread, seems like I would have to loosen tension when going to a thicker thread?

Thicker thread takes more space so is harder to pull up, unless you go to a larger needle size. Scott is on the right track.

Typically, thread balling up on the bottom is not enough top tension. But there can be other causes. And it is easy to try out. Keep track of your adjustments and you can go back to the original settings with your original needle and thread combination.

Tom

[Wizcrafts]

#138 thread, top and bottom = #22 or #23 leather point needle (for leather). If a #22 leaves knots visible on the bottom, move up to #23.

Increasing the size of the thread usually requires either loosening the bobbin tension, or increasing the top tension. But, moving up to a larger needle can offset this.

If the larger needle leaves too large of a hole, the knots will be able to slip up and down. If that happens, move down to the smallest needle that freely passes the top thread, then increase the top tension to bring the knots up

Depending on the density of the leather, increasing your needle size may also require more spring pressure adjustment on the presser feet, to prevent the leather from lifting with the ascending needle and thread.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Wizcrafts

[cmantz]

Ok...Here are two pics...I have a #22 sharp needle w/ 138 top and bottom. I have the main tensioner cracked down pretty good (I can see probably .25" of the threaded knob sticking out).

Also, this machine seems REALLY hard to turn by hand. Is that normal?

[gottaknow]

First off, if you have a clutch motor, when the machine is at rest (with your foot off the pedal), there's actually a brake that the clutch sits against in the motor. If you depress the pedal as you turn the handwheel towards you, it will move the cork clutch away from the brake. Push too far, and the machine will start sewing. If you press just enough to release the brake, you'll be able to turn the hand wheel easily. If it still turns hard, there could be a bind somewhere else. Sometimes with leather there's a lot of foot pressure which can also make the machine turn hard. If you're not used to a clutch, practice with the power off.

As for your tension, your top thread isn't being pulled up tight consistantly. To tell if it's just lack of needle tension, place a length of scrap under the foot, get it started sewing, then pinch the needle thread with your thumb and forefinger before the tension disc somewhere. If your tension looks good, then you lack pressure. You can take a double wrap around the tension post and then loosen off the tension a bit until you get a good stitch. Those things are easy to try, as well as a larger needle.

Not so easy are other issues depending on how your machine's adjusted. There's the latch opener adjustment which pulls the bobbin basket tab away from the throat plate to let the thread pass and pull up tight. (I'm attatching a pic so you can see this). Lubing the thread can help even though silicone makes the thread slicker, it also places more tension on the thread as it goes through the discs. Using heavier thread usually requires some fiddling as 138 is about tops for your machine. You may want to try smaller thread in your bobbin as well. Oh, and don't forget to place a drop of oil around your hook. That's one area on these that will get tight and tend to bind up the machine. Have fun!

Regards, Eric

Edited August 23, 2013 by gottaknow