Speed reducer or new motor?

[Ashley55]

I bought a used Cowboy 2500 and it's just too fast for me to do much more then straight lines, I'd like to be able to slow down enough to do tighter corners/curves and details. I was looking at getting a speed reducer, but then noticed that new servo motors cost just about the same price. The motors claim they slow down enough to sew stitch by stitch- one in particular I looked at was the Techsew 550. 

So now I am wondering if the cost is the same, is it just simpler to replace the motor with one that will do a slower speed? Are servo motors like a "one size fits all" sort of thing, or are there specific ones that will only work with certain machines? The current servo motor on my machine is 400w 110v and there is 2 speed settings 0-3000 and 0-1500.

I emailed a couple of the companies to ask about this, but haven't heard back from any so I figured someone here could offer some input.

[Wizcrafts]

Here is the motor I use: https://www.tolindsewmach.com/motors.html

[kgg]

25 minutes ago, Ashley55 said:

I'd like to be able to slow down enough to do tighter corners/curves and details.

I personally use the brush type motors similar to the one Wiz mention on my machines with no problems. I would say definitely put a new servo motor on your machine and give it a try. You could always add a speed reducer at a later date if you find that it still doesn't give you the control you need.

kgg

[Ashley55]

Thank you for the fast replies! 

That one looks similar to the one I was looking at here https://www.techsew.com/en/techsew-550-servo-motor.html 

I think I'll give it a try and see how it goes

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Ashley55 said:

Thank you for the fast replies! 

That one looks similar to the one I was looking at here https://www.techsew.com/en/techsew-550-servo-motor.html 

I think I'll give it a try and see how it goes

Make sure you specify you want the smallest pulley they have for the motor. Some have a 45mm and others a 50mm small pulley. However, they typically have 70mm pulleys for high speeds in textile machines, as does the motor in the link you provided. It will be harder to sew slowly with that large pulley. Then compare that diameter to the pulley on your current motor. You'll need a shorter v-belt that matches to difference in whatever measurement you use.

[Ashley55]

Thank you very much, I will be sure to check that!

[kgg]

4 hours ago, Ashley55 said:

I bought a used Cowboy 2500

What Country  /  City are you located in as someone maybe able to direct you to vendor close to your location.

kgg

[dikman]

I would go the other way () and fit a speed reducer first. If it still doesn't do what you want then replace the servo (which will still work with the reducer).

[toxo]

You guys certainly like to spend money. For less than £50 I replaced the handwheel with a 250mm pulley and replaced the pulley on the motor with a 40mm one and now can do one stitch at a time and it took less than an hour to do.

You guys constantly never offer this as a solution but never say why.

[Constabulary]

Some like it some don´t like it because it often looks just ugly (IMO) but thats a personal opinion. I would always go the speed redcuer way as long as I do not find a proper looking fly wheel with a grip on the rim (not just a pulley). It´s not the technical aspect, it´s the optical aspect. But thats just me. I built my cheap DIY speed reducers for less than 25€ I think.

Edited November 10, 2021 by Constabulary