Featherweight question
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
I have a 201 and a 99 with much the same belt driven motor. I think the specs are the same as the Featherweight's, but the standard motor is a bit larger. Either of the motors never get more than slightly warm, never close to hot like the light bulb can become. I've sewn on machines that later turned out to have bone dry grease wicks and motor axle, they never generated much heat even with decades of neglected service. However they ran smoother when cleaned and greased. I'm sure owner of Featherweights will post more specific experiences on their machines. Hot weather is a factor when running a machine for long, but I sew for hours some times, often with a short brake when the bobbin needs to be wound.
Last edited by Mickey2; 04-06-2016 at 10:25 AM.
#5
Wow!
now I'm concerned. Yep, foot pedal gets hot too.
after about 15 minutes or so, I noticed the motor is hot to the touch. I would say more than warm.
in fact, after I used it a few days ago, it took a good half hour for it to cool down.
I have lubricated the motor, and it's still the same issue.
now I'm concerned. Yep, foot pedal gets hot too.
after about 15 minutes or so, I noticed the motor is hot to the touch. I would say more than warm.
in fact, after I used it a few days ago, it took a good half hour for it to cool down.
I have lubricated the motor, and it's still the same issue.
#6
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Have you had it serviced? The motor could need to be serviced. And/or the belt might be a little too tight making the motor work harder. The motor shouldn't get hot. Sewing slow for long periods can make the controller get hot, it's the nature of how the older ones were built. If the controller isn't run flat out speed racer, the extra energy it isn't using turns to heat.
Cari
Cari
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
Today I have sewn for a bit over an hour continusously, with some starts and stops. The motor is hot, not burning hot, but when I put my hand on top of it, it's noticeable. I just had this odd thing regarding the light too, it's very hot. It's like something happened to the bulb, it suddenly started to shine swice as bright and equally hot. Maybe it's about to burn out? The pedal isn't even slighly warm.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Spring Hill, Tennesee
Posts: 497
You may like one of those new LED lights. They never get hot and give 4 times more light than the old bulbs. Sew-Classic.com has them and the solid state controllers that also don't heat like the old ones. Best money I ever spent.
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 172
I'll keep an eye on the motor on the FW I'm using right now, and report back. I'm about to do some sewing. However, the motor on my 1951 gets a little warm when I've been using it for an hour or so. I do try to take breaks. I've switched to a 1938 machine and I'll let you know how it does.
In general, though, I don't think the motor should be hot.
Ila
In general, though, I don't think the motor should be hot.
Ila
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