Cobra Class 4 Squeaking Loudly

[triage1998]

I have had my Cobra Class 4 stitching machine since late spring and love it. The issue lately has been the machine now has a really loud squeak. The last couple weeks it was a light squeak now it is really loud and annoying. It seems to be internal and only when the needle is halfway in its down stoke. I took off the face plate and tried to oil areas that I never oiled before with no joy.

I have been oiling the machine every 12 hours of use since I bought it. Maybe I am not oiling in the correct areas? Anyone have this issue before?

[Wizcrafts]

It could be the needle itself, squeaking due to friction inside the leather. This can be caused by very dry or dense leather, or by a needle that has material stuck onto it (glue, basting tape, leather particles). Change the needle (Leather point only) and try again. Also, make sure you are using the best size needle for the thread combination. For #277 thread, that would be a #25 needle. If #207, use a #24 needle.

If the noise persists with the thread removed, but only with the needle in, dethread the machine, remove the faceplate. then sew empty holes. Try to locate the source of the noise inside the front face of the machine. Maybe it is the presser foot parts slightly out of perfect alignment. Dink with the pressure screw on top to try to fix this. Oil everything inside the head, then leave a drip cloth under the foot.

It will really help if you can actually isolate what parts are squeaking.

I had some squeaking in my speed reducer at one time. Oil helped.

If it turns out that your thread or leather is too dry, you should get a lube pot to mount on top of the machine. Then load it with liquid sewing silicon and run the top thread through it.

[triage1998]

Thanks for the response Wizcrafts. I will give the suggestions a shot this week and see if I can locate the noise.