Artisan Toro 3200 PED 500 vs Cobra Class 4

[nylonRigging]

10 hours ago, dikman said:

As kgg said the model they're selling now has the motor mounted on the top of the table and fitting a speed reducer is going to take a fair bit of work!

AHhh, i see what saying now . I just looked at  Artisan  Website . I have not paid much attention to their machine sales for last few years . Looks like they did do a change with their 3200 Drive going in a different design direction. Rather than traditional under table drive w/gear reduction . I would be curious to actually see with my own eyes the drive system they chose, and what kind of control and torque it has. The drive motors they choose to use on different models I have seen and sewn on seem to be good runners.

 I seen a lot Artisan branded machines being here on US. West coast . 3 out of the 10 machines I have set-up and sewing on are Artisan branded. I think their Brand saturation higher in this area of W. USA. as they import straight into Bay area California, and sales based there. The Interstate Hwy. I-5 corridor on shipping is convenient into CA. OR. and Washington States .
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[dikman]

I wonder if shifting the motor to the top of the table is a marketing ploy, just to make them different? The idea works, as I have done it on a couple of machines (and fitted a speed reducer on top as well!) but in this case there's no room for a reducer on top. Plus, as kgg pointed out, the speed control mounted on the bottom could be susceptible to being kicked/knocked.

Personally, I prefer the more "conventional" system, it also makes it easier for tinkering with.