dikman

I'd say belt.The chain has nothing to do with the motor, you can see the motor/pedal linkage down on the left. Re-adjust the motor mount to give a bit of slack between the motor and the reducer. Bearings don't usually squeak when they're starting to fail, they tend to make more horrible grunching/grating/rumbling noises. Make sure everything is aligned and running true - and not drum-tight.

Does it have reverse? I can't see a reverse lever, and I would think that you could disable/remove the thread cutter anyway.

I don't see how a laser printer/cutter could accept/use .stl files. These files contain data for a 3-dimensional object, whereas printer/cutters work in 2 dimensions (ok, I know you can set depth but it's only a fraction of the Z height in most 3-dimensional .stl files).

I bought bobbins for some of my machines from Elizabeth Sewing Machines on Richmond Rd, Adelaide. They specialise in industrial machines and generally have a good range of needles and bobbins. If you take in what you've got if they haven't got it/can't get it they might be able to match it up with what they do have. I've found them to be very helpful.

The funny thing is the blanket feet had been removed and were in a plastic bag, along with a spring (looks like a tension spring for the outer foot pressure adjustment), the plate and a little nut. It came with a narrow foot and double toe presser foot fitted. I'm beginning to think it has nothing to do with the machine. No matter, I ran a few stitches down an old belt doubled over and it sewed beautifully, and reverse went back into the same holes. And I don't think I've even got it threaded right! Now I need to get some decent thread (the stuff I used is Barbour's but is an indeterminate age and, I think, all cotton). I have 23 needles, size 25 LP but want to get some round point too, only problem is the shop I rang only has them in size 24 and 26 (no 25). I figure 24 should be ok? This is exciting, maybe I'll try sewing some plywood!!

Sort of funny. It's definitely not in the parts listing in the "manual" so I'll check the Juki parts listing, but it's no big deal as it works fine without it. Checked it all over, it's oiled and clean so I lubed every moving part that I could find anyway. Runs great, now to wind a bobbin and sew......something. kgg, I bought a 650, I heard that they were being replaced with a 750 and managed to find one set up for .38. I was lucky as Australia doesn't carry big stocks. Did a few mods (adapted Lee 4-tube case and boolit feeders to work with it, made a primer loader for the primer tubes etc). It works great, much more consistent than the Lee Loadmaster it replaced.

I agree constabulary. Every time I start trying to learn how to use a design programme I get distracted onto something else.

Chris, no sew-off. Thinking about the "binding" it could just be that I've never had a machine that can exert such pressure on the material so I may be over-thinking things. NylonRigging, based on your description I'll have a closer look at the manual (and machine). Sort of makes sense? On the other hand Brian could be right but because I only bought a head I have no way of confirming it. As for Christmas - I already have my (early) Christmas present as I bought a Dillon reloading press a little while ago , but yes, I guess Santa has been pretty good to me. And my wife reminded me that with all the machines I've bought (and sold) this is my first NEW machine.

The good news, got a call this morning from the transport company that my 4500 was ready for pickup. The bad news, because it was on a (small) pallet they have to use a forklift and will only load it on a ute (pickup to you Yanks), truck, trailer or van, none of which I had. After some head scratching I remembered a mate had a ute, which I borrowed. Now, I would call this a "farm ute" because it looks like it's spent all its life bush bashing on a farm! It's also been a long time since I've driven a manual gearbox, no power brakes and no power steering. To say the steering was heavy is an understatement and it had the turning circle of a big truck!!! It did the job and I managed to get it unloaded and down into my shed. I was wondering how I would get it onto the table but once I unpacked it and discovered some of the weight was the (heavy) flywheel I found I could just lift it onto the table! It's a beast!! Tomorrow I will fix it to the table and connect the motor but in the meantime I turned it by hand and found it had a tight spot, which I'm pretty sure is the inner foot pressing too hard on the feed dog. Also, being a Cowboy it came with additional feet and in the bag with the blanket feet was a slotted bracket and I have no idea what it's for. It doesn't show up in the manual. Speaking of which, it's a pretty poor manual. If someone bought one of these, didn't have much experience and had to rely on the manual they would be in trouble. Threading has been discussed here recently and the manual is badly lacking in detail compared to what's been said here. Fortunately, because of this site the poor manual doesn't matter. Photo of the bracket, just curious what it's for.

Err Jimi, that appears to be a link to your C drive?

Sounds like a good "buy". It shouldn't be too hard to work on one of these (unless you're a complete mechanical numpty) and I would think any manuals covering models from the 31 series in general should help. As for the needles, if you can't (easily) find the correct size then just find the closest common modern needles and adjust the needle bar to use them.

Well done guys, waste not want not, as they say.

This is quite bizarre. Consew don't list a CSM3000 on their website when I searched for manuals. I found references, via google, to the 3000 being an upgrade to the 1000 but only showing it as a 2-button unit. I found one post from someone who bought one but didn't get a manual with it and had to contact Consew for it. All very strange. Did you get a manual with yours?

Donkeykong, yes, that is a saddlestitch, and like most things there is more than one way of doing it regarding where the threads come out each side. If you've figured out what works for you then .

Gymnast, there's no doubt about it, you are a nerd extraordinaire!

nylonRigging, which model Consew do you have? I can only find 2-button models on their website, the OP picture is a 4-button?

These codes are are usually different from make to make. Do you have a copy of the manual or instructions listing the codes? JJN 's suggestion makes sense, it has to be something simple.

Put another rivet in there, you already have one so it won't look out of place. A good start for a first holster, after a while you'll think "hmm, I can do better so I'll make another" and before you know it you're hooked!

Using a BIG pulley is equivalent to using a reducer, only simpler to make! Ignoring the forging he did (which is not necessary and he obviously only did it because he could) the only possibly trick part is making a new shaft, unless you have a lathe. Should be an interesting exercise Frodo.

I agree with kgg, while bells, whistles and pushbuttons might be nice I think that for most of us hobbyist/small-time producers a simple basic machine will be cheaper and easier to maintain. If the electronics fail on a complex machine you are faced with either a potentially big bill or ripping it all out to try and make it a basic machine - if indeed it can be done.

Looks like a fairly generic Chinese servo, similar to one I had but recently sold with a machine. There's no manual, the instructions are printed on the side of the control box. On mine the speed could be adjusted from the front panel using the +/- buttons. I didn't have the needle positioner but the motor worked fine.

Hi, my name is Bert and I have a problem......

So how much is it, $150 or $300?

Thanks for that. I collect manuals, I'll add them to the collection.