Cowboy 3200 making noise

[MedusaOblongata]

Thank you all so much for the replies. I disconnected the belts and spun each component separately and it's the speed reducer that's making the noise, definitely not the motor or the head. Oddly, it just started happening, nothing else had changed. I'm not sure what would make that happen, how to quiet it, or whether it's a sign of something bad or just a noise? Is there a spot on the speed reducer that needs to be oiled?

 

As far as why I posted here first, it wasn't to badmouth Bob or Toledo or Cowboy. I've learned most of what I know about leatherworking from the knowledgeable and helpful folks here on this forum. And long before leatherwork, I discovered forums as one of the absolute best places on the internet to find friends, camaraderie, information, answers, and ideas. Every time I have a question, the first thing I do is search the relevant forum.  It was from this forum that the Cowboy was recommended, on this forum that Toledo was recommended, on this forum that I learned about leather sewing machines and what they can do. This is where my experts are.

 

I apologize if my post came across in a negative way. I am grateful for each of you who've taken the time out of your day to respond to my problem.

Thank you.

Edited December 12, 2019 by MedusaOblongata

[Wizcrafts]

Maybe the bearings are bad, or dry on the reducer. Or, perhaps the belts were too tight.

[Frodo]

The cause of the noise is obvious

the belt is to short.. machine is in a 9 line bind on a downward pull

if you keep running the machine the shaft bearings ARE  going  to wear out then you will need another motor 

 

 

[Frodo]

How to measure for a belt

remove old belt

run a string around the pulleys

mark the string where the 2 ends meet

measure the string. that is the length you need

[JLSleather]

1 hour ago, Frodo said:

The cause of the noise is obvious

the belt is to short.

IS IT?  Or is the CHAIN shortened too much?  Relaxing the chain (to the foot control) should let the motor level, right?@!

[Frodo]

1 hour ago, JLSleather said:

IS IT?  Or is the CHAIN shortened too much?  Relaxing the chain (to the foot control) should let the motor level, right?@!

lol.  good point

[MedusaOblongata]

There is some slack in the chain.

[dikman]

I'd say belt.The chain has nothing to do with the motor, you can see the motor/pedal linkage down on the left. Re-adjust the motor mount to give a bit of slack  between the motor and the reducer. Bearings don't usually squeak when they're starting to fail, they tend to make more horrible grunching/grating/rumbling noises.

Make sure everything is aligned and running true - and not drum-tight.

[MedusaOblongata]

I emailed a link to the video to Toledo, and Bob said it's a bearing and he sent out a new speed reducer, which I've installed and it's working quietly now. I'll be mailing the old one back to him and hopefully he'll let me know if this is due to some kind of user error. 

[Arturomex]

Props for Bob's customer service.