Custom speed reducer pulley for Singer 51W56

[friquant]

6 hours ago, FDC said:

I'm not sure what you mean by motor pulley, are you referring to the pulley on the servo motor? If so its stock, 45 or 50 mm I think.

Yes I mean the pulley on the servo motor. They are typically 75mm. If it has a 15mm cylindrical shaft, that pulley can be replaced with a 45mm pulley for about ten dollars, which will slow down the machine.

[friquant]

6 hours ago, GerryR said:

for future projects, you should consider an AC system with a variable frequency drive (VFD) and a 3 phase inverter rated gearmotor.

Can you post links to the pieces one would need to buy in order to build this setup? I'm interested

[Calidora]

Wow yours look way better than mine. They are amazing machines. Now that I have mine up and running it makes working on things much easier. I find that post beds are some of the most versatile machine out there. I don't have too much experience with several others but I've used a cylinder bed and flat and I like my post bed much better. 

 

Edited July 13 by Calidora

[GerryR]

11 hours ago, friquant said:

Can you post links to the pieces one would need to buy in order to build this setup? I'm interested

Links to AC Drive Components:

VFD good for up to 1HP 3-phase motor:

            https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFB57721/?coliid=I8NFU0YE5UPT8&colid=17LBFSFMFWW6H&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Note: I bought mine through Ebay, but this is the same one.

Motor:

            https://www.bodine-electric.com/products/ac-3-phase-inverter-duty-gearmotors-and-motors/42r-fx-parallel-shaft-ac-3-phase-inverter-duty-gearmotor/

Note: I was able to get model 2263, which has 58 in-lbs. of torque and 340 RPM at 60 Hz.  You can choose outputs suitable to your needs and even get right angle output shaft versions.  Just for comparison, the DC servomotor I was using was rated at 28.8 in-lbs.

Foot Pedal Control:  This is where I got a little creative.  I took a TIG welder foot pedal and did a little rewiring.  I got the unit off of Ebay:

            https://www.ebay.com/itm/176920994141?_skw=TIG+Welder+foot+pedal&itmmeta=01K01RR8XF07B0ETNHVT3SNZC6&hash=item293150215d:g:7KQAAOSwha9jZI28&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cdg2dYapN7bLOj7QNBNYvFBgb9nYOw6ivyhEaLfbTDARnhlFmmmIvRE5v%2BmSHS6NHzBxmYRm%2FS%2FOUguxh4QASZ6dKnq4aAfCKcCK9LWjU5OyPxxvNKcH3CjV9WGIL7ylcLvGzb6%2Bdvpe9MAB418aLD72qlvGirmqZ2XNTPpOEnSdadqe%2BJUuU70vTyKzaCPmAPE85JgmuvVu3AwzJYH9iW5vfdQNC7nCE8q1Im3b6Kp6cynjjiIrNBiNTH1T%2Fur%2B7h1JYK8hs%2Bt5hyHSlK4eaNsbSQ%2FRi%2Bmrmp2OVY%2BjRpfg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4CP4biAZg

I rewired it so the knob-controlled pot limited the top speed so the foot controlled pot had full range to that limited speed.

I put everything in a case: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165626696069

These are the basics. I added circuitry for a position sensor that worked off a jog button.  I don't use the position sensor, but it is available if I ever want to use it.  The jog is so slow that I can stop the needle anywhere I want.  This should give you a good start.  Feel free to ask any other questions you might have.  Happy to help!

[Scoutmom]

Love the table.  Do you mind sharing how you made it and where you got the parts?   I see the foot pedal is mentioned above.  The machine and speed reducer look great.

 

[FDC]

For the table I laminated Baltic birch for the core. I cut out the necessary features and tweaked to satisfaction. Then I contact cemented Formica to both sides. I bought the plastic edging on Amazon. I welded up the base with 2" square structural tubing and re-used the pedals and mounting plate from the old table. The casters were also Amazon. A little spray gun work and final assembly. 
 

Space is always limited so I wanted a smaller than normal table that was ready to roll. I'm happy with the results and table size. I'm not always happy with project outcomes!

[FDC]

On 7/12/2025 at 9:21 PM, Calidora said:

Wow yours look way better than mine. They are amazing machines. Now that I have mine up and running it makes working on things much easier. I find that post beds are some of the most versatile machine out there. I don't have too much experience with several others but I've used a cylinder bed and flat and I like my post bed much better. 

 

If it works it's a winner! I just like to start from fresh on some equipment and this Singer certainly deserved the refresh. It is a great machine as you point out!