New Consew seems tight on part of the stitch?

[Tsiatko]

I’m setting up a new machine and there’s tons of info on adjusting settings for stitch length and feed dog height etc that I need to get to - but I’m concerned about the feel of the machine when turning the hand wheel independently without the servo motor attached. Most of the rotation for the stitch is pretty smooth, but when the needle actually drops down it tightens up significantly and requires more force to push through to continue the stitch. This happens even when there is no material being worked in the machine, just dry runs without a needle even. Is something going to get broken if I continue to test run the machine like this or is this normal for new machines? 
 

Thanks for your time, I’m sure I will be posting more questions. I really appreciate any help. 

[Quade]

I assume it's a stepper foot machine? 

Quote

 but when the needle actually drops down it tightens up significantly and requires more force to push through to continue the stitch. 

 I've worked with 2 stepper foot machines and they both get tighter right at the point the inside foot presses down and lifts the outer foot.  When the needle just enters the foot is about the time the inner foot starts to press down on the plate. 

I adjusted my foot pressure to be much lighter but still enough to clamp the cloth and it reduced the tightness.  You still feel it when the feet start their walk.  Out of the box the pressure foot pressure was set pretty high.

[MtlBiker]

38 minutes ago, Quade said:

I assume it's a stepper foot machine? 

 I've worked with 2 stepper foot machines and they both get tighter right at the point the inside foot presses down and lifts the outer foot.  When the needle just enters the foot is about the time the inner foot starts to press down on the plate. 

I adjusted my foot pressure to be much lighter but still enough to clamp the cloth and it reduced the tightness.  You still feel it when the feet start their walk.  Out of the box the pressure foot pressure was set pretty high.

I haven't heard the term "stepper foot machine" before.  That particular Consew (I have one too) has a compound/triple feed walking foot.  What exactly is a stepper foot machine?

[AlZilla]

23 hours ago, Tsiatko said:

but when the needle actually drops down it tightens up significantly and requires more force to push through to continue the stitch.

Is the presser foot just pushing the feed dog? Try it with the presser foot up.  I've often observed a little catch when freewheeling a machine as the feed dog rises to the presser foot.

[kgg]

On 11/18/2023 at 12:04 AM, Tsiatko said:

but I’m concerned about the feel of the machine when turning the hand wheel independently without the servo motor attached. Most of the rotation for the stitch is pretty smooth, but when the needle actually drops down it tightens up significantly

To determine if it is a problem remove both presser feet and see if the feel changes significantly. If it does, chances are that the feed dog is set to high above the needle plate or the presser foot is set to low. Check your manual and see how high it should be above the needle plate at it's highest point of travel. I would guess probably about 1mm. If no change, then remove the front cover too check and see what is binding / rubbing inside and oil the hell out off all the parts while cycling the machine by the hand-wheel. Also contact the dealer if this is a new machine.

If this isn't something simple definitely contact the seller and if was a Amazon purchase contact them for a return as it was probably a "fresh off the boat" machine with no pre-delivery done.

kgg

[Wizcrafts]

Some walking foot machines have a separate pressure screw above the inside foot. It sticks out the top of the head, on the left side. I have one machine that was limited in how high I could lift the feet because that spring loaded foot was set too tight. As I backed off the spring pressure, the feet began lifting higher. Now, I run it with the inside foot spring almost all the way up. I rely upon the outside foot pressure spring to hold the leather down.

[Quade]

Quote

I haven't heard the term "stepper foot machine" before.  That particular Consew (I have one too) has a compound/triple feed walking foot.  What exactly is a stepper foot machine?

Haha I've been working with stepper motors and sewing machines lately...

"Walking foot" of course. 

I'm curious?  None of you with walking foot/compound feed machines feel it tighten when the inner foot presses down on the needle plate?   

I thought it was just normal for these machines?   I think I'll try KGG's idea. 

[MtlBiker]

On 11/17/2023 at 7:04 PM, Tsiatko said:

I’m setting up a new machine and there’s tons of info on adjusting settings for stitch length and feed dog height etc that I need to get to - but I’m concerned about the feel of the machine when turning the hand wheel independently without the servo motor attached. Most of the rotation for the stitch is pretty smooth, but when the needle actually drops down it tightens up significantly and requires more force to push through to continue the stitch. This happens even when there is no material being worked in the machine, just dry runs without a needle even. Is something going to get broken if I continue to test run the machine like this or is this normal for new machines? 
 

Thanks for your time, I’m sure I will be posting more questions. I really appreciate any help. 

I just checked my Consew 206RB-5 by turning the handwheel... I don't feel any more resistance at any point of the turn.  My servo motor was attached, but not engaged.  I do not feel it tighten when the inner foot presses down on the needle plate.

(BTW, I'm the guy who replied to you on Reddit a couple of days ago about the safety clutch.)

Cheers!
 

[Quade]

My Singer 211 and Jiki 1541NS both do.  A needle feed only Consew 224 was smooth as silk.   

I did the KGG test. Pulled the feet off the 1541 and most of the resistance went away.   I can still feel some additional friction from when the eccentric pushes the lever to move the walking feet. 

The 1541 only shows the pressure when the foot is down. When the pressure foot is up, it's pretty smooth. 

[CowboyBob]

On 11/17/2023 at 7:04 PM, Tsiatko said:

I’m setting up a new machine and there’s tons of info on adjusting settings for stitch length and feed dog height etc that I need to get to - but I’m concerned about the feel of the machine when turning the hand wheel independently without the servo motor attached. Most of the rotation for the stitch is pretty smooth, but when the needle actually drops down it tightens up significantly and requires more force to push through to continue the stitch. This happens even when there is no material being worked in the machine, just dry runs without a needle even. Is something going to get broken if I continue to test run the machine like this or is this normal for new machines? 
 

Thanks for your time, I’m sure I will be posting more questions. I really appreciate any help. 

Don't worry about it,It's the normal pressure coming from the resistance of the spring for the outside foot lifting up when the inside goes down.

[Wizcrafts]

Back off, or remove the pressure screw over the inside foot. That may reduce the hard spot as the foot hits the feeder.