New mechanical clutch material

[Russojgr]

I have a new to me Singer 31-15 on an industrial Singer table. It has a mechanical clutch. I’d like to change the clutch material as part of a rehab of the table. I’m not sure but it appears that the clutch material is actually a round leather belt inserted into the clutch pulley. Can anyone confirm this for be before I start pulling things apart? It works but chatters at low pressure engagement. When I lean on it it quiets down. I can’t imagine me sewing at petal to the metal speed so am hoping some new clutch material will decrease/eliminate the chatter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,

John

[Northmount]

@Russojgr Moved your post to Leather Sewing Machines.  You'll get more answers and attention here.   Also search this forum for more information on clutches and clutch lubrication.

Tom

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

On 8/25/2019 at 10:53 AM, Russojgr said:

I have a new to me Singer 31-15 on an industrial Singer table. It has a mechanical clutch. I’d like to change the clutch material as part of a rehab of the table. I’m not sure but it appears that the clutch material is actually a round leather belt inserted into the clutch pulley. Can anyone confirm this for be before I start pulling things apart? It works but chatters at low pressure engagement. When I lean on it it quiets down. I can’t imagine me sewing at petal to the metal speed so am hoping some new clutch material will decrease/eliminate the chatter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,

John

Sounds like it's an old (very old) J and K external clutch motor that uses a continuous run motor.  Cork is what is most commonly used here, a lot of dealer still have these on hand and can order them for you.

[Matt S]

On 8/25/2019 at 3:53 PM, Russojgr said:

I have a new to me Singer 31-15 on an industrial Singer table. It has a mechanical clutch. I’d like to change the clutch material as part of a rehab of the table. I’m not sure but it appears that the clutch material is actually a round leather belt inserted into the clutch pulley. Can anyone confirm this for be before I start pulling things apart? It works but chatters at low pressure engagement. When I lean on it it quiets down. I can’t imagine me sewing at petal to the metal speed so am hoping some new clutch material will decrease/eliminate the chatter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,

John

Does it resemble this motor? I found the clutch material to be cork, which had glazed over time resulting in squealing and loss of power. I took the easy route and managed to simply turn the cork over, hopefully pushing that problem several decades further down the road.

[Bert51]

If this machine uses external clutch that has a continuous run motor, then it has a piece of leather about 3/16 to 1/4 wide and 9 inches long set in a grove in the face of the driven piece of the clutch.

Two of my old Singers have this type of clutch and other then having a motor running all the time while using it, I have no problems with them.

Bert.