I didn't write the blog Joe, but that's how I use these FCs. If the machine's sluggish (or I'm doing a long straight seam) I use your method and she goes faster.
If it is one of those (and Sarabela hasn't said that it is yet), open it up: The cause of the problem might be obvious. If one or both of the copper contacts are broken or missing it will cause heating, but slow sewing (high resistance) will heat it most quickly. Worse, if it heats up when you're not even using it then it needs adjusting.
I second Joe's recommendation. Tammi's article on how to fix and adjust them is hard to beat. You can Google "singer at the races" or look it up from the vintage resources thread. These FCs are very good and reliable. One clean and service is probably all it needs for a lifetime.