Servo motor foot controlled?

[MikeC5]

I'm thinking of replacing the clutch motor on my 111W155 with a servo motor to help lower the speed.  I see many of the SM kits include a speed knob and on-off switch and it isn't clear to me if you can still modulate speed with the foot pedal or must you rotate the knob?  I can't imagine that you would have to keep one hand free to do this but....  Or does the knob just set maximum speed? 

[dikman]

The knob generally sets the max speed and the foot control will then operate within that range (0 to whatever). Make sure you fit the smallest pulley you can to the motor (I've got 45 mm / 1 3/4") as it all helps.

[MikeC5]

Thanks!  I just wanted to be sure...

[MADMAX22]

I would recommend installing a speed reducer at the same time if you can. Several threads on it. 

Just switching a 111w to a servo motor isnt going to get the super slow speed you see on alot of videos and maintain any kind of punching power. It will be easier to control compared to a clutch but if you turn the speed all the way down the punching power is minimal. 

[TomG]

I had the Consew model with that knob and I could not control the speed at all.  It was either on or off. I took it back and got the CSM-1000.  Much better, but it still needs the reducer pulley to make it truly slow.

 

[Yetibelle]

I have the servo on my 111w155 and it's great. I keep it set low most of the time. If you tweek the space correctly betwen the pull-trigger on the motor and the foot petal; when you press with your foot you can get it to crawl one stich at a time.  So you extent the down-arm that connects to the petal so it won't allow you get to press full-speed, you can get that slow control.  Then as you get more comfortable raise the petal higher and you can get a more speed with a harder press. Just takes a little practice to find the sweet-spot.  

If you always want it to crawl then add the extra speed reducer pulley.  

[Willie0]

I just installed a servo from Toledo Sewing  on my 111w155 and am very happy with my speed control.  It is possible to go a stitch at a time with practice.  A speed controller would be nice, but I don't feel the need for one on this machine.

[Colt W Knight]

I have the FS-550 from Toledo Industrial, and it has a dial on the motor to set max speed. The dial isn't super precise, you have to play with it a bit to get the sweet spot.

 

[MikeC5]

Thanks all.  I am planning to try a speed reducer before switching to servo motor just to experience the difference.  I'm sure I'll still end up getting a servo motor too.

[Colt W Knight]

The pulleys are a good idea because they add torque. Sometimes the servo doesn't have enough get up and go to start and run at low speeds with the stock pulleys.

[Wizcrafts]

Some servo motors with speed reducers have an advantage over clutch motors in that some of them can be set to spin faster than the clutch motors can. This recovers some of the lost speed that happens with a speed reducer.