Sewing Machine For Someone With Limited Use Of Legs/feet

[LilRay]

OK Sewing Machine Gurus, I keep myself a dream tool list since getting into this wonderful mess. One of the things I'd eventually like to get would be a machine for faster work. What type machine would be best for a guy with limited use of legs/feet? I know of Tipmann's Boss, but are there others?

I have use of my feet, just not well enough to drive. How much footwork is required to operate a machine without getting lots of mistakes? I may have to stick to hand sewing.

God Bless, Ray

[bruce johnson]

Ray,

I have sewn some miles on one of the early Boss stitchers and sometimes still wish I had it. They are pretty simple to operate. The downside is that it takes one hand to run them so you have one hand to hold the piece. You learn to use binder clips and things like that to hold pieces in place instead of two hands. There wasn't much I couldn't get sewn with some improvised clamp or support one way or the other. There are some bigger stitchers that have a large hand wheel on the front to run them also. I am sure someone has adapted a powered machine to run by hand control for people with limited foot control too. If so, you still would only have one hand running the piece anyway.You can run most powered machines by hand turning the flywheel. Some of them have been adapted for a crank handle on the flywheel too.

The servo motors can be set to sew pretty slow on a powered machine, but it still takes some foot control to stop and start. The biggest problem I had starting out with a clutch motor was I drove it like a gas pedal. I used the ball of my foot and pushed to go and let up to slow. When someone showed me to use my whole foot on the pedal - "Toe to go and heel to slow" it gave me way more control. When I switched to servo motors it was even more precise.

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

OK Sewing Machine Gurus, I keep myself a dream tool list since getting into this wonderful mess. One of the things I'd eventually like to get would be a machine for faster work. What type machine would be best for a guy with limited use of legs/feet? I know of Tipmann's Boss, but are there others?

I have use of my feet, just not well enough to drive. How much footwork is required to operate a machine without getting lots of mistakes? I may have to stick to hand sewing.

God Bless, Ray

Hi ray,

I would go for a Servo motor and simply rig up a hand control for it. Do you have sideways knee control to rig up a control that way?

[LilRay]

Ray,

I have sewn some miles on one of the early Boss stitchers and sometimes still wish I had it. They are pretty simple to operate. The downside is that it takes one hand to run them so you have one hand to hold the piece. You learn to use binder clips and things like that to hold pieces in place instead of two hands. There wasn't much I couldn't get sewn with some improvised clamp or support one way or the other. There are some bigger stitchers that have a large hand wheel on the front to run them also. I am sure someone has adapted a powered machine to run by hand control for people with limited foot control too. If so, you still would only have one hand running the piece anyway.You can run most powered machines by hand turning the flywheel. Some of them have been adapted for a crank handle on the flywheel too.

The servo motors can be set to sew pretty slow on a powered machine, but it still takes some foot control to stop and start. The biggest problem I had starting out with a clutch motor was I drove it like a gas pedal. I used the ball of my foot and pushed to go and let up to slow. When someone showed me to use my whole foot on the pedal - "Toe to go and heel to slow" it gave me way more control. When I switched to servo motors it was even more precise.

Bruce, I have never tried operating a machine. I guess the first step would be to find out what's broken before trying to fix things, but I'm building dream lists to keep myself moving forward. Truth is I should probably keep my goals for now more toward proper tooling technique, but what can I say, this is all exciting to me.

As far as the one handed thing, I do a majority of things one handed. I wish you could've watched me learn to swing the maul you sent with my secondary (right) hand. I'm sure most would've chuckled. I sure did. Lots of laughing and swearing. I've at least got it down to a hit more often than not now.

Hi ray,

I would go for a Servo motor and simply rig up a hand control for it. Do you have sideways knee control to rig up a control that way?

I don't have as much precise control over my knee as I do my foot(feet).

I've always been able to develop a "system" to get things happening, and I'm sure something could be figured out.

Thanks Y'all!

God Bless, Ray

[Art]

Hi Ray,

A servo motor set on damned slow might work for you. If you get a chance to go to any of the shows, go see Steve, he is wound a little tight, but has the patience of a saint and will work with you, possibly after show hours if you ask, or call him if you can get down to his shop in Ontario California. You need to get on a machine to see what accommodations can be made.

Art

Bruce, I have never tried operating a machine. I guess the first step would be to find out what's broken before trying to fix things, but I'm building dream lists to keep myself moving forward. Truth is I should probably keep my goals for now more toward proper tooling technique, but what can I say, this is all exciting to me.

As far as the one handed thing, I do a majority of things one handed. I wish you could've watched me learn to swing the maul you sent with my secondary (right) hand. I'm sure most would've chuckled. I sure did. Lots of laughing and swearing. I've at least got it down to a hit more often than not now.

I don't have as much precise control over my knee as I do my foot(feet).

I've always been able to develop a "system" to get things happening, and I'm sure something could be figured out.

Thanks Y'all!

God Bless, Ray

[LilRay]

Hi Ray,

A servo motor set on damned slow might work for you. If you get a chance to go to any of the shows, go see Steve, he is wound a little tight, but has the patience of a saint and will work with you, possibly after show hours if you ask, or call him if you can get down to his shop in Ontario California. You need to get on a machine to see what accommodations can be made.

Art

Steve has already messaged me on a couple other sewing questions I had asked prior. He seems like a very nice guy. I'll have to see if he'll be at any shows in the southeast anytime soon. Thanks Art!

God Bless, Ray

[Wizcrafts]

I don't have as much precise control over my knee as I do my foot(feet).

I've always been able to develop a "system" to get things happening, and I'm sure something could be figured out.

Thanks Y'all!

God Bless, Ray

Ray;

Since you have control over your feet you will probably have an easy time learning to sew on a leather stitcher equipped with a servo motor, with a knob on it to set its maximum speed. These motors can be adjusted for a comfortable maximum speed, while allowing you to slow it down with your foot on the speed pedal. Starting up requires a slight toe down. You then pivot the pedal toe down for more speed and heel down for less.

The motor must be matched to the machine to work efficiently. I use a SewPro 500GR servo motor, which has a knob on the back. It has built in 1:3 gear reduction, which translates into 3:1 torque multiplication. Many lesser servo motors lose punching power at very slow speeds. This one doesn't.

The modern 441 clone leather stitchers in use by many of our members are usually mounted on compact, movable pedestal bases. There are two pedals on the floor plates. One controls the motor speed, while the other is used to lift the pressor foot (to makes sharp turns, or to insert or remove the leather and loosen the top thread tension). If both of your feet are usable for pushing down on the heel or toe, you should be able to operate a sewing machine that is mounted to a pedestal base, with a knob controlled servo motor.

I would recommend that you avoid the fancy looking servo motors with up and down buttons and speed readouts. They only change the speed while they are turning the machine! I find this very hazardous; leaning down to find the little buttons, while my foot is on the pedal and the machine is turning. With a knob controlled motor you just turn the knob to the setting mark or number you prefer and that becomes the top speed.

Also, the big stitchers have a large speed reducer pulley between the motor and machine. This further slows the top speed and multiplies the torque (typically by 3:1). You will find, as you sew, that speed is not usually your friend when sewing anything other than garment, upholstery, or chap leather. For thick veg-tan or latigo projects, the slower, the better (within reason).

[LilRay]

Ray;

Since you have control over your feet you will probably have an easy time learning to sew on a leather stitcher equipped with a servo motor, with a knob on it to set its maximum speed. These motors can be adjusted for a comfortable maximum speed, while allowing you to slow it down with your foot on the speed pedal. Starting up requires a slight toe down. You then pivot the pedal toe down for more speed and heel down for less.

The motor must be matched to the machine to work efficiently. I use a SewPro 500GR servo motor, which has a knob on the back. It has built in 1:3 gear reduction, which translates into 3:1 torque multiplication. Many lesser servo motors lose punching power at very slow speeds. This one doesn't.

The modern 441 clone leather stitchers in use by many of our members are usually mounted on compact, movable pedestal bases. There are two pedals on the floor plates. One controls the motor speed, while the other is used to lift the pressor foot (to makes sharp turns, or to insert or remove the leather and loosen the top thread tension). If both of your feet are usable for pushing down on the heel or toe, you should be able to operate a sewing machine that is mounted to a pedestal base, with a knob controlled servo motor.

I would recommend that you avoid the fancy looking servo motors with up and down buttons and speed readouts. They only change the speed while they are turning the machine! I find this very hazardous; leaning down to find the little buttons, while my foot is on the pedal and the machine is turning. With a knob controlled motor you just turn the knob to the setting mark or number you prefer and that becomes the top speed.

Also, the big stitchers have a large speed reducer pulley between the motor and machine. This further slows the top speed and multiplies the torque (typically by 3:1). You will find, as you sew, that speed is not usually your friend when sewing anything other than garment, upholstery, or chap leather. For thick veg-tan or latigo projects, the slower, the better (within reason).

Thanks Wiz! Like I say, I've never tried and before I invested any money I'd need to know I could operate a machine not only accurately but safely as well. Big investment to possibly have an ineffective "shop toy". I'll look into finding a machine to try, and someone to teach me how to properly use and maintain one. Kind of a booger to do when you live rurally, but not impossible.

God Bless, Ray

[Wizcrafts]

I was just informed by one of our dealers that their servo motor, which has push buttons and a readout, only changes the speed when it is NOT running. That is the preferable and safe system. The motor on the machine I have been sewing on, at my friend's business, only changes as it is in motion, which is very unsafe.

[gunnerdiego]

I don't see where anyone has answered the question about a knee control.  I would like to put a knee control on my servo motor.  Any ideas out there?

[Sheilajeanne]

That was my first thought, too. The machines I used in Home Ec. in school had knee controls. I liked them much better than the foot pedal on my mom's machine.

[Wizcrafts]

4 hours ago, gunnerdiego said:

I don't see where anyone has answered the question about a knee control.  I would like to put a knee control on my servo motor.  Any ideas out there?

This was an eight year old topic. There was no input about knee lever speed controllers because they aren't made for high power industrial servo motors. They draw much more current than the tiny motors used in domestic sewing machines. A typical industrial servo motor used in big sewing machines draws enough current to deliver 1/2 to 3/4 horsepower, which would burn out a domestic style controller in a tenth of a second. It is a case of apples and oranges.

I am sure that some enterprising mechanically inclined individual may have hooked up some alternate means of controlling these 3/4 horsepower motors.

[dikman]

With a lot of the servos having separate "switch" modules it's probably feasible to figure out some sort of linkage to operate one via a knee control rather than the foot pedal.The beauty of the separate module is they don't have to be mounted in the "normal" position.

But I don't know of anyone who has done this.

[Constabulary]

Solar leather once posted this hand control solution:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGu4gHkw6Mg

 

Edited July 6, 2019 by Constabulary

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

When you have the correct motor setup, you are really only limited by your imagination.  At that point and it's easy to tailor something to someone's particular needs.  If you have a servo motor with an external actuator, you can mount it as a knee switch under the table and make something up.  If you go with a higher end motor like an Efka you can have multiple input and output buttons to help make up for things like needle up position, or whatever else you can think of.  

 

8 hours ago, Constabulary said:

Solar leather once posted this hand control solution:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGu4gHkw6Mg

 

Brilliant minds think alike (or at least people who watch YouTube videos about sewing machines).  1st thing I thought of.

[gunnerdiego]

Thanks everyone - I will be installing a servo motor for my 96-16 singer and would like to keep it in the table I have currently - hope not to put it in a K-leg table for the foot control.  Must get a bit creative I guess - I'll check out the utube from solar leather as well

 

 

[SolarLeatherMachines]

I still sell the hand control.  It's $85, and comes with installation instructions.   We don't advertise it a lot because it's not a big seller, and we sell it about at cost.  I designed it, and it was meant as as service to our veterans, and as a help for those with Diabetes.  

[gunnerdiego]

Thanks Alexander - I would like it to be a knee control for the servo motor - I like my big table that it sits in and would like to add the servo and some kind of control besides a pedal on the floor.  might I use your hand control on a bracket under the table and use my knee to run it?  thinking out of the box now...