Some Education Material

[RockyAussie]

10 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

Mods can't alter the folder structure of the forum. We can move posts, merge them, lock them and delete them. But, I like your idea about having a new sub-directory for reference material. I'll toss it around with Johanna when I get time.

I think this would be a very good idea.

[gottaknow]

Here is a step by step guide as to how a lockstitch machine with a horizontal rotary hook forms each stitch. The best way to read this, is if you have a machine with a hook oriented on a horizontal shaft, is to follow along with a machine. This explanation was priceless when I was a new mechanic. I've made all my apprentices remember this cycle and explain it to me on a machine without a book. It takes 3-5 years to train a mechanic to the point where you don't have to babysit them. Even after 3 1/2 years I will make my apprentice sit down on a machine and explain this cycle. It helps with trouble shooting. Even though it was published by Union Special many decades ago, the cycle hasn't changed. It's not something you can just read once and understand it, I remember it taking me a while and seeing it in practice.

A big part of being competent on machine repairs is understanding the why. Many people can make the adjustments, but few really get into it deep enough to understand everything that's happening and why. I've always said I can teach anyone to turn screwdrivers, but if you want to be an accomplished mechanic, you need to learn how to visualize things in your head to the point where it's almost like watching a video. Our human brains are capable of so much more than most people challenge themselves with. Sewing machines definitely force you to learn how to think. I know from spending time on the forum over the years, many hobbyists get frustrated because they just want to do their projects and not fuss with a machine. The best way to be able to do that is to learn your machine(s) and what they're supposed to do. I've know several folks that have given up on the hobby because of industrial machine frustration. I try to remind people that it's complicated! Ok, now I'm rambling. Here's the link.

Regards, Eric

Horizontal hook cycle.pdf

[Northmount]

Some people just don't have the capability of visualizing things in their heads.  For those people that have this capability, it is difficult for them to understand that others don't have it and seem to take forever to understand some of these things.  When I took electronics many years ago, I could visualize how electricity flowed through different devices and its behaviour.  Couldn't understand why others couldn't grasp the concepts.

Then when I used to instruct control systems engineering, I found that students just want to memorize the answers for today's exams, but not to spend time learning the basics so they could then build on that to better understand the next steps.  I have a mantra, If you want to be able to control a process, you have to understand the process before you can control it.  I think this really applies to all types of troubleshooting.  The part of my work over the years that I have enjoyed the most is troubleshooting.  Being able to visualize it in your head, and to at least mentally collect the details of what has happened, or is happening makes the difference in being successful at troubleshooting.

Tom

[SolarLeatherMachines]

It's called the Inverse Dunning-Kruger Effect.  The Dunning Kruger effect is when people don't know how stupid they are.  The INVERSE Dunning Kruger Effect is when people don't realize how GIFTED they are.    It's a very odd, but very real logical trap that the Dunning Kruger Effect is it's OWN opposite.  It's like the absolute value of -1,  or |-1| =1.     

So, the things that many of us take for granted can be baffling to others.  And vise-versa.  

[gottaknow]

Here's a Variostop manual from 1976. Page 2 has all the information to let folks know which motor they have.

Regards, Eric

Variostop.pdf

[RockyAussie]

Thanks again for the trouble Eric.I just happen to have one down at the moment.Regards Brian

[gottaknow]

38 minutes ago, RockyAussie said:

Thanks again for the trouble Eric.I just happen to have one down at the moment.Regards Brian

No problem Brian. I still have so much information I'm planning on sharing as time permits. It's a shame to have it just sit here in my file cabinets.

Regards, Eric

[alexitbe]

Hello Eric,

 

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to scan and upload all this information.

 

If you have anything on fur overseam sewing machines that might be fun to upload..

 

But seriously,  we appreciate your generosity with your information..

Cheers

Alex

PS Got to agree with Constab. with regard to a reference section.. Good idea. Stickies = bad idea

[suzelle]

On 4/14/2017 at 7:46 AM, gottaknow said:

Eric,

Well it was a good ramble! Along with the desire to learn, passion makes a great motivator! Without those two things, it's probably a good plan to just give up because it's cheaper and easier to have a "Pro" do it for you. That's why I appreciate people like you! I can fix a few things here and there, but it is really not my passion to be a mechanic. The machines are like vehicles, they get me to where I am going and I just do the basic care and maintenance needed to keep them running. I'm more of an Artist and there are enough mechanical hoops to jump through just to create these fabric and leather things I dream up in my own head! LOL. Anynow, great ramble!

---------------------------------

...I've know several folks that have given up on the hobby because of industrial machine frustration. I try to remind people that it's complicated! Ok, now I'm rambling. Here's the link.

Regards, Eric

Horizontal hook cycle.pdf

 

[Stuggi]

On 5/11/2017 at 1:18 AM, gottaknow said:

Here's a Variostop manual from 1976. Page 2 has all the information to let folks know which motor they have.

Regards, Eric

Variostop.pdf

Cheers mate, you wouldn't happen to have the manual for the controller as well? I'm trying to figure out what a particular switch does.