slow stitching speed

[Matt S]

3 hours ago, JLSleather said:

I never understood (and still don't) what is the perceived value of going SLOWER.

For me (whose tools all have to pay their way) it's about control and precise placement. I only go slow at starts and ends (especially backtacking), steps up/down for precise placement, sewing around curves and into square corners. My servo motors' pedals give 10 steps between the lowest and highest programmed speeds. I usually have the max speed set near the motor's maximum speed (4500RPM) -- tickle it for precision @80SPM, stomp it on the straightaways @750SPM. I'm not gunshy, I'm not claiming that slower production = better product, I'm not stretching my jobs to fill the gaps between coffee breaks. I pay myself. More product out the door = more pay. Having a slow machine speed available reduces the amount of handwheeling I have to do, and I sure can't handwheel at 80SPM. Can't hold onto the workpiece, press the reverse lever and handwheel at the same time either.

4 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

You might want to think about changing servos to a Family Sew 550. I have that motor on my CB4500 and on my long arm Singer 139 walking foot machine. It starts at zero rpm and slowly increases with pedal motion. There is a knob on the front face of the motor that limits the top speed, or not. There are no sudden changes in speed.

Thanks for the recommendation Wiz. We have a smaller selection of servos this side of the pond, as we do 240ish volts @ 50hz out the wall. A better servo is on my wishlist, but it's a long list. This one only cost £100ish and came with a needle positioner.

[Sonydaze]

17 minutes ago, Hockeymender said:

Sewing speed is dictated by what is being done. I see all this about “why would anyone want to slow things down?”. Around here everything is sewn at the slowest speed possible. Precision work requires it. Hockey glove palms can be quite tricky to get placed and sewn properly, and if the machine was zipping along it would be a complete disaster for sure. Just my 2 cents worth. 

Hence the joy of a properly setup servo motor... sew the speed that the job demands. I sew more and more belts on my 441 clone (and belts aren't getting shorter..)  Sewing down the length of it is easy to guide so it's pedal to the metal, however sewing the tip of the belt is very visible when being worn and the servo allows me to get a stitch at a time if I want.  End of the day, I still want to get each item completed as quickly as possible.

[JLSleather]

34 minutes ago, Matt S said:

 I only go slow at starts and ends (especially backtacking), steps up/down ... around curves and into square corners....- tickle it for precision @80SPM, stomp it on the straightaways @750SPM....

That's what I'm talking about 

[JerseyFirefighter]

1 hour ago, Hockeymender said:

Sewing speed is dictated by what is being done. I see all this about “why would anyone want to slow things down?”. Around here everything is sewn at the slowest speed possible. Precision work requires it. Hockey glove palms can be quite tricky to get placed and sewn properly, and if the machine was zipping along it would be a complete disaster for sure. Just my 2 cents worth. 

Provided you can "feather" the pedal, I don't see why not leaving at max rpm is an issue for a 441 machine. I completely understand that no two people are alike, but messing around with settings mixed with your abilities is the best way to find a happy medium (or to leave the the motor maxed and use it when needed on those long belt runs).

 

I had heard another worker mention that running full rpm increases the marks of the presser foot/feet. While I dont suspect that is the case, and I have seen this topic and solutions suggested here... if anyone would like to chime in on the matter in terms of speed vs foot pressure it would be appreciated. 

[Hockeymender]

Guess this is all relevant if you are using a 441 type machine and sewing belts. I’m not using/ doing either. 

[JerseyFirefighter]

4 minutes ago, Hockeymender said:

Guess this is all relevant if you are using a 441 type machine and sewing belts. I’m not using/ doing either. 

You are correct. My apologies as the conversation quickly shifted to those machines. 

[Matt S]

1 hour ago, JLSleather said:

That's what I'm talking about 

Well that's your answer then: having a very low minimum speed is useful for doing the fiddly bits.

[Joon1911]

12 hours ago, garypl said:

That’s good advice Joon - now that I have been using my machine for awhile I will see how I do with bumping up the speed dial!

Gary

Gary,

I guess I see it as the benefits of versatility far outweigh the disadvantage of possibly putting a stitch where I don’t want it.  I’ve found that with experience it’s a non-issue anyway.  As Matt S. said earlier, the ability to instantly switch between 50spm to 750 and anywhere in between has become essential to me.  

[Joon1911]

3 hours ago, Hockeymender said:

Guess this is all relevant if you are using a 441 type machine and sewing belts. I’m not using/ doing either. 

I’ve always been curious about how gloves are sewn, do you use a post bed machine?

[Hockeymender]

5 minutes ago, Joon1911 said:

I’ve always been curious about how gloves are sewn, do you use a post bed machine?

No I use Pfaff 335 cylinder arm machines. If your interested there is a video showing the repalming process on my website: www.hockeymenders.com 

Edited March 15, 2018 by Hockeymender