Artisan 246 hand wheel

[Piko]

Hi,

I bought an Artisan 246 and really like it but I want to slow down the stitching speed. I bought a speed reducer system which is basically a larger pulley with a smaller one next to it but I'll have to screw it to the table which means i need to move the motor. So, I was thinking, on my Sailrite, I only had to change the hand wheel (i hope this is what it is called the wheel to the right of the machine that you turn by hand when lifting the needle to remove the leather piece from under). Shouldn't I be able to just change that wheel to a larger one and get a new vbelt to slow the machine down? I know nothing about these machine so I dont know if they all have a standard way to mount the wheel or if i need to look for a specific one. Anyone knows?

thank you.

[nylonRigging]

For adding a speed reduction pulley that is meant to run offset to the side . You have to move the motor and you will also loose your belt-bobbin wind . It no big deal really to move things around and just drill new mount holes in table tops .

If not wanting to move and re-drill a few holes, Possibly ? , is it possible to run a 'Box' style reduction system . ( Pic. Attached ) . Just reverse from hanging under, to stack on-top of table . I have never used a Box reducer style, only the traditional under table pulley reduction, But there a few people here that use one that could chime-in if it possible to box-motor stack on-top of table rather than underside .

That does look like a 'Well Thought Out' , top table motor drive set-up that Artisan sent out to you. Did you just order this machine new from them ? . If you call and ask what machine design/model that Artisan Labeled this from . You could possible get a larger hand wheel.pulley ordered for it .
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Edited March 22 by nylonRigging

[dikman]

One or two on here, including me, have replaced the handwheel with a large pulley to slow down a machine. You will need to remove the handwheel and measure the shaft diameter and then find a suitable pulley to fit the shaft. The chances of finding an actual replacement larger handwheel would be pretty slim.

This was an old pulley that I had lying around, I had to shim the shaft and while it's not exactly pretty it works.

[Piko]

NylonRigging,

I dont see how the box style would help me as I would still have to remove the motor and install the box. Unless I am missing something. 
i bought the machine from a reseller near where I live. I think they had this machine there for god knows how long but it works fine and yes, it is new. I know the model, it is an Artisan 246VA. Do you think they'd have access to parts I can't find on the web? I mean, it makes sense. I'll give them a call next week. 
thank you for the suggestions.

Thank you dikman for the input as well.

[Northmount]

11 hours ago, Piko said:

I bought an Artisan 246

Moved your post to Leather Sewing Machines

[nylonRigging]

20 hours ago, Piko said:

NylonRigging,

I dont see how the box style would help me as I would still have to remove the motor and install the box. Unless I am missing something. 
i bought the machine from a reseller near where I live. I think they had this machine there for god knows how long but it works fine and yes, it is new. I know the model, it is an Artisan 246VA. Do you think they'd have access to parts I can't find on the web? I mean, it makes sense. I'll give them a call next week. 
thank you for the suggestions.

Thank you dikman for the input as well.

You want some changes in making crawling low RPM speed to an already built and working Top table drive set-up . There is going to be some sacrifice to make something new work, like changes, moving things, drilling a couple new holes..etc  . Like i said no biggie just drilling and moving things around on the table tops.
and was just an alternative thought on using Box reducer , but sure it would probably work.
Normally pulley reduction or the box style speed reducer are under-table mount. But the Box style is a 'stack' together with the drive motor. Rather than the pulley reducer that is off-set alignment to one side of the drive.
So.. Instead of hanging motor off the bottom of the box style speed reducer under the table . You just reverse, mount Box style reducer to table-Top, and then drive motor on-top of box speed reducer. Take motor OFF . Align and mount Box . Mount motor on-Top of Box . Buy new V-belt to fit the new length dimension .

Also you might try just buying another more powerful servo drive unit, that has enough low RPM power to move slow with little effort. Just a swap out with your existing servo drive and controller .
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That hand wheel on the machine right now looks nice. and It looks to have a little weight to it also which is nice. but If wanting to change it out . I would just call Artisan. ( i think ? ) ask, talk to ' Chester ' , if i remembering right name from last time I ordered parts from them. Ask him if they could hook you up with a larger diam. Pulley/hand wheel to that model .
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[Piko]

I ended up getting this speed reducer. Now I am trying to figure put where to put it to drill the least amount of holes. If I install it like in the picture, I just have to move the motor over by an inch or 2 so possibly drilling just one hole (for the motor). But I lose the bobbin winder.  If I placed it between the machine and the motor instead, I would need to move the motor further away from the machine drilling 3 holes for it but I would retain the bobbin winder. 
i am thinking of the first setup and loading the bobbin using a battery operated bobbin winder i purchase online. But it would be noce to also have the mechanical bobbin winder functional as it saves time.

Anyone can think if a way to install the bobbin winder with the set up in the photo?

Also, how do I measure the size of the belts I will need? One of them will have to be very small.

Thank you in advance. 
 

[GerryR]

Is that not a DC servo controller/motor that is driving your machine?  If so, why not just change the parameters in the controller to get better low speed control.  Most of the DC servo systems can "crawl" and have ample torque for the machine.  Just curious.

[Piko]

It worked!!! The machine runs so smoothly and it slowed down a lot! I feel like it punches through more smoothly as well but that might just be bias. 

[kgg]

12 hours ago, Piko said:

It worked!!!

Nicely done but how are you planning on winding your bobbins??

kgg

[Piko]

I am hoping to use this. It should work but I won't know until I try it.

[nejcek74]

I am using something similar, but without the spool stand (I am using the main stand on the table). It works without problems and very fast.