Different Servo Motors

[yutaoy]

yes, I have not get a sewing machine yet, after long time, still have lots I don't know about heavy duty sewing machine.

I saw 2 pfaff machines, one with servo ( you can see has speed number on the motor, start from 0 ), another one with clutch motor ( if change to consew servo motor, then this two machine price are same, but consew servo motor has different too! like 1/2, 3/4 or maybe more ).

now I'm confusing about servo motor, don't know which one is better ( since two pfaff both are in good condition), which one i should get?

help!!!

Edited December 14, 2012 by yutaoy

[Northmount]

The image on the right is a digitally controlled servo. The other 2 aren't. The left 2 have a potentiometer to adjust the top speed, analog control.

Digital may have additional functions like ramp rate, reverse, ...

Digital should have better torque at minimum speed. Depends on model and manufacturer.

Horse power or Watts is more important.

Tom

[yutaoy]

Thanks for your reply! Tom. I just called the seller, he said he will change clutch to servo motor for me. the servo motor is 3/4 consew one, he said something horse power like you said. is it good one to have?

even he explained to me, i still have no idea which one he means, only know: A. is consew servo motor. B. is not 1/2, is 3/4. C: horse power something.

Edited December 14, 2012 by yutaoy

[Wizcrafts]

Thanks for your reply! Tom. I just called the seller, he said he will change clutch to servo motor for me. the servo motor is 3/4 consew one, he said something horse power like you said. is it good one to have?

even he explained to me, i still have no idea which one he means, only know: A. is consew servo motor. B. is not 1/2, is 3/4. C: horse power something.

Consew is a sewing machine and motor brand. They make motors with different power ratings, like 1/3, 1/2 and 3/4 horsepower. Motors are also rated at a particular RPM. Leather sewing is usually performed with slow speed and/or gear reduced motors, whereas garments are sewn at breakneck speeds with fast motors having large pulleys.

[yutaoy]

Thank you Wizcrafts! always always

I'm going to try a pfaff machine this noon, seller said is 3/4 horsepower consew servo motor, is it good or good enough for sewing leather? which one should I get? since servo has different type, ( is a 1245 machine. )

Edited December 15, 2012 by yutaoy

[Wizcrafts]

Thank you Wizcrafts! always always

I'm going to try a pfaff machine this noon, seller said is 3/4 horsepower consew servo motor, is it good or good enough for sewing leather? which one should I get? since servo has different type, ( is a 1245 machine. )

Yes, that should be strong enough. But, have the seller demonstrate it running at 1 stitch per second. If the motor can slow down to 1 per second, or less, then speed up to about 5 or 6 per second,without changing any settings, it will power the machine through leather. You will need leather point needles, correctly sized for the size of thread you are going to use. There is a thread and needle chart here.

[yutaoy]

Wiz, I went to try this machine at noon time, it looks 80-85% new, I think is in good condition, but not quite sure since I only know little bit about sewing machine.

I didn't buy it, three reasons, seller will do it for me in this two days.

1. servo motor, he's going to put consew 3/4 servo motor for me ( will tell him to demonstrate it running at 1 stitch per second ). he asked me if I want to get "something" for needle, let me explain if I understand what he meant. this " thing " will help to lift up needle, don't have to wind machine wheel ( the wheel for belt ) to lift needle up. he will put it on wheel. if want to have it, pay 30 bucks more. do I need it? is it good to have? Wiz and guys.

2. important! this pfaff has reverse also can adjust stich length, reverse works good. but stich length, ok, this is what I did. there are 7 numbers for stich length, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. I put at 6, is not so long, seller is really a good guy, he brought the stich length disc and measured the stich length on leather, is about 4.5 wide, not really 6mm. then I tried to put at 4, stich length on leather is shorter. then I wanted to push to 3, 2, 1, but that stick can't go up to 3,2,1,0. so means now this machine only has 2 size of stich length, 6 ( acturally is 4.5mm ) and 4 ( I didn't measure if stich on leather is really 4mm ). seller said he will adjust stich length for me, can't push up to 3, 2, 1 is because that nut is not smooth. I attached photo here, might help you to understand what I said. ( bad english, ehhh )

I think have good/right stich length is important, do you guys think so too? cause if sew thick stuff like leather, we need long stich length, right. if sew thin fabric, we need short stich leagth. so to me, correct stich length is important. you guys also will test/measure to see if stich length is right?

3. extra basic things, seller will give robbin, needles, foot, thread. what else things can I ask to have since he might have/give?

ok, I keep searching/studying online, always thank you guys for help

Edited December 16, 2012 by yutaoy

[Wizcrafts]

You will want to be able to sew as few as 5 stitches per inch (25mm), meaning 5mm per stitch. Furthermore, this should happen at the thickness you actually are going to sew. The machine should be able to sew about 10mm of leather.

If this machine cannot sew 5 stitches per inch, or sew into 10mm, something is misadjusted, or it is worn out.

Edited December 16, 2012 by Wizcrafts

[yutaoy]

Thank you Wiz

This is pfaff 1245 machine, on the reverse place has number from 0 - 6 mm for stich length, it means the longest stich of this machine only can go 6mm ... ?

seller said will adjust the stich length, I will I go test again. try if can sew 5 stiches per inch. should I ask him to adjust to 10mm as longest stich length?

[Wizcrafts]

Thank you Wiz

This is pfaff 1245 machine, on the reverse place has number from 0 - 6 mm for stich length, it means the longest stich of this machine only can go 6mm ... ?

seller said will adjust the stich length, I will I go test again. try if can sew 5 stiches per inch. should I ask him to adjust to 10mm as longest stich length?

You misunderstood what I meant when I mentioned 10mm. That is how thick the machine can sew, if everything is properly adjusted. 10mm equals 3/8 inch. The length of the needle has a lot to do with this.

If the seller can adjust the stitch length to get 6mm in forward and reverse, that is great. This is about 4 stitches per inch! But, 5 is just fine.

[yutaoy]

I got the machine! Wiz! love it! should get new thread, got old thread from nice owner, always stuck and broke.

Wiz, this pfaff 1245 have nice stich, when owner showing me + sewing by myself, stich was beautiful and STRAIGHT. tonight I tried on soft leather, stich was not straight sometimes. is because I didn't hold leather right? or ... this afternoon when I test at owner's place, we tried vege tanned leather/heavy thread, was really beautiful and straight. I wondering why I tried on soft leather tonight and stich was not straight sometimes. mmm...

also Do I have always to adjust tention when I change fabric/when add more layers? about stich lenght, is "thinner fabric narrower stich length? thicker fabric wider stich length"?

pfaff 1245 Needle Size Information:

#207 top thread and #138 Bobbin thread use a #23/160 needle

#138 top thread and #138 Bobbin thread use a #22/140 needle

#92 top thread and a #92 or #69 bobbin thread use a #21/120 needle

#69 top thread and a #69 bobbin thread use a #20/110 needle

think I will not use thread over 207, but can I use thread under 69?

So happy and really thank you guys here for helping me all the time

Edited December 17, 2012 by yutaoy

[Ash]

interested in this thread, 'cause I've purchased the same machine as well!

[yutaoy]

Ash, you have newer 1245 or pfaff 1245-706? is your stich not straight sometimes?

[Ash]

Hi, it's a good question! I've buyed it but it's in the shop now waiting for some changes, so I don't know about the stitch. I only tried once before purchasing it.

It's a 1245 grey, so it's older than yours, but it is in very good condition and completely restored... I hope I will receive it this week, then I will try to answer your questions

[Wizcrafts]

I got the machine! Wiz! love it! should get new thread, got old thread from nice owner, always stuck and broke.

Wiz, this pfaff 1245 have nice stich, when owner showing me + sewing by myself, stich was beautiful and STRAIGHT. tonight I tried on soft leather, stich was not straight sometimes. is because I didn't hold leather right? or ... this afternoon when I test at owner's place, we tried vege tanned leather/heavy thread, was really beautiful and straight. I wondering why I tried on soft leather tonight and stich was not straight sometimes. mmm...

also Do I have always to adjust tention when I change fabric/when add more layers? about stich lenght, is "thinner fabric narrower stich length? thicker fabric wider stich length"?

pfaff 1245 Needle Size Information:

#207 top thread and #138 Bobbin thread use a #23/160 needle

#138 top thread and #138 Bobbin thread use a #22/140 needle

#92 top thread and a #92 or #69 bobbin thread use a #21/120 needle

#69 top thread and a #69 bobbin thread use a #20/110 needle

think I will not use thread over 207, but can I use thread under 69?

So happy and really thank you guys here for helping me all the time

Congratulations! Go buy some sewing machine oil and keep the machine well oiled.

We all have to change tensions when going from thin or soft work to thick, or dense material. You will get a feel for this after a while. Always keep some scraps from each project and use them to balance your thread tensions first. I tend to keep a modest pull on the bobbin thread and mostly change the top tension for differences in thread or work load.

Needle size also impacts where the knots appear. A proper needle makes a hole just big enough for the knots to be pulled up into the material. A smaller needle makes a tighter stitch, but requires more top tension to pull the knots up. A larger needle pokes a bigger hole and you get looser stitches, but it takes less tension to position the knots.

Too much bobbin tension, offset by equally strong top tension, can warp straps and belts. Use the amount of tension required top get a nice stitch, without warping the leather or cloth. Soft leather, like garment leather warps easily. Reduce the bobbin and top tensions to get the stitches to lay flat on the top and bottom.

You can get smaller needles, in type 134-35, for thinner threads. Most cotton thread is sewn using a #11 or #12 needle (75 or 80 metric). If you want to sew with #46 bonded nylon, a #12 or #14 needle will do the trick. Buy leather point needles for leather and standard round points for cloth and webbing.

Edited December 17, 2012 by Wizcrafts

[Ash]

Ash, you have newer 1245 or pfaff 1245-706? is your stich not straight sometimes?

Hi

I've received it!!

it's a 1245-706

I tried only a little, I need to regulate thread tension and needle size.

What do you mean with "is your stich not straight sometimes"? That is angled or what?