Just scored a REX 26-188 Walking foot sewing machine for $50.00 now what? / Singer 16-188 / Chandler TDU-N62 / Consew 18 clone

[myjtp]

Late last night I did a quick craigslist search and stumbled upon this REX 26-188 Walking foot sewing machine beauty for $50.00 !!!!!! At first, I thought it was some fake posting but it was 100% real as I just got back from picking it up!  She ran it and it purred like a kitten. She told me she had like 10 calls and I was the first one to make it there!  She used it to sew upholstery with so it came with a bunch of extra stuff AND original manuals! If anyone wants I can scan them in.

So now I know I need to get a servo motor so i'm thinking about this one any good?
REX INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINE SERVO MOTOR 550 WATTS  - $106.00
https://amzn.to/2QMdfTJ

and a new belt, which size belt? 38" or 39"

INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINE MOTOR BELT RUBBER V-BELT (39") - $7.90
https://amzn.to/2QHAA94

1. Do I need a reducer wheel or will the servo motor make it go slow enough to go one by one stitch? If so which one do I get? 
2. What's the biggest and best needle to use and thread for 8oz leather belt stitching on the edges?  
3. I have seen many videos of how rough these feet are on leather so which aftermarket feet do i need to get and whats the best way to grind them down and how smooth do i make them?
4. Do I just put oil in each of the red holes if so how much oil? and how long should i run it so that it will be well lubricated again? I think it's been sitting idle for about 4 years under a towel inside she said.

Pretty cool paperwork that came with it she bought it from one person who bought it new!

Edited October 12, 2018 by myjtp
Forgot to add question.

[dikman]

Great deal for $50!!!! That servo should be fine, but if you want to go real slow you'll need to fit a speed reducer of some sort. The servo probably has a 3" pulley so replace that with a 2". Best thing to do is try it first with the servo and see if it works ok for you.

Belt size, that will probably be a bit of trial and error to get the right size. I set mine up and then wrapped a piece of rope around the pulleys and tied it off with cable ties, this gave me a pretty good idea of what size I needed.

I'm not familiar with the machine but I would say it's designed to use #69 thread with a size 16 or 18 needle. It may handle #138 thread, which will need size 22/23 needle. I'm sure someone will join in who knows more about the machine.

Oil. Normally you'd only put a drop or two down those holes every few hours of use, but you'll need to check the machine and see if there's any oil on the moving parts first. Depending what was used before it could be a bit gummed up.

[myjtp]

17 minutes ago, dikman said:

Great deal for $50!!!! That servo should be fine, but if you want to go real slow you'll need to fit a speed reducer of some sort. The servo probably has a 3" pulley so replace that with a 2". Best thing to do is try it first with the servo and see if it works ok for you.

Belt size, that will probably be a bit of trial and error to get the right size. I set mine up and then wrapped a piece of rope around the pulleys and tied it off with cable ties, this gave me a pretty good idea of what size I needed.

I'm not familiar with the machine but I would say it's designed to use #69 thread with a size 16 or 18 needle. It may handle #138 thread, which will need size 22/23 needle. I'm sure someone will join in who knows more about the machine.

Oil. Normally you'd only put a drop or two down those holes every few hours of use, but you'll need to check the machine and see if there's any oil on the moving parts first. Depending what was used before it could be a bit gummed up.

Ahh so i was under the impression that one should simply replace the clutch motor with a servo right away... but if I reduce the wheel on the clutch motor it might slow it down to a walker speed without having to replace the motor? i mean i did score it for $50 so putting another $100 into it is'nt bad i'd say!

Belt size: brilliant idea! Ill go do that right now

The machine is a clone of the Singer 16-188 here is a great video showing this REX model in action 

Oil: How does one check the machine to see if it has enough oil in it?

thanks so much! 

[bikermutt07]

Great find!

I'm not familiar with this machine, but I'll share my very limited experience with machines.

I have a servo on my consew. It still goes too fast for me. I want it to creep like the cowboy I have. 

Now, my buddy changed both pulleys on his Adler with a servo and likes it. But, he is way more experienced than I am.

Enjoy.

[myjtp]

1 minute ago, bikermutt07 said:

Great find!

I'm not familiar with this machine, but I'll share my very limited experience with machines.

I have a servo on my consew. It still goes too fast for me. I want it to creep like the cowboy I have. 

Now, my buddy changed both pulleys on his Adler with a servo and likes it. But, he is way more experienced than I am.

Enjoy.

Ahh ok.. where do i get a new pully for the servo?

[bikermutt07]

He found one on eBay.... @koreric75 out here tonight?

[dikman]

You can replace the clutch motor pulley with a smaller one - but it still won't step slowly like you want. You're right, first thing to do is get a servo. As you say, the machine cost so little that another $100 is nothing. You should be able to find a 2" pulley on ebay, as bikermutt said.

[myjtp]

5 minutes ago, dikman said:

You can replace the clutch motor pulley with a smaller one - but it still won't step slowly like you want. You're right, first thing to do is get a servo. As you say, the machine cost so little that another $100 is nothing. You should be able to find a 2" pulley on ebay, as bikermutt said.

So the servo motor I showed is a good one?  So on top of getting the servo motor i should ALSO get the 2" pulley? that will allow me to go super slow? will it also add more power or reduce power or make no difference?

[R8R]

I have a Artisan 750 watt servo with 50mm pulley I'm not using.

This one:

http://artisansew.com/pdf/ACF-625cInstructionManual10_2017.pdf

 

It has needle positioning, synchro included. Typically a direct swap for most any clutch motor. $100 plus shipping and it's yours.

 

 

[R8R]

Disclaimer - it's not the greatest servo ever, but it goes slow, has a TON of power and is 1000x better than any clutch motor I've ever used.