Slow Machine
 

I have a Janome L-392. It makes a pretty stitch, but is terribly slow. Is there way to adjust the speed (no manual) or is it just slow? Or is it dying??! I have taken it apart and it's clean inside. Any suggestions?

Sounds like your foot feed to me

is that fixable?

HB took my FW foot pedal apart and it was full of lint. Cleaned it out and back to running normal again, no more slow down to a crawl.

Thanks! I tried that, and it was only a little dusty. Nothing alarming.

That machine is supposed to have an electronic speed control - not sure how you set it though.
http://www.sewingmachineoutlet.com/jl392.htm

Aha! Now we're getting somewhere! I sure wish I had this manual! I'm excited about the machine again!!!

Aw, all I can find is "
Controlling Sewing Speed
Sewing speed can be varied by the foot control.
The harder you press on the foot control, the
faster the machine runs"
It's true to a point.. it does run a little faster when the pedel is to the metal...

Oh My!! I think I found the problem!!

Yikes!! I believe you've soved the mystery:eek:

well, I'm glad that's not lurking in my hand crank anymore, but it doesn't seem to be going any faster :(

I found what appears to be a free manual online here:
http://homeappliance.manualsonline.c...machine-595232
Looks like you have to register on the site (free) in order to download it.

Also found a free download at this website:
http://www.imarksweb.net/book/free+d...me+model+l+392

I would experiment with running the machine with no thread or fabric, presser foot up. If it is slow running this way, then I would suspect there is something wrong with the foot pedal. I'm thinking the foot pedal may not be sending the correct signal to the machine regarding speed.

My husband says "that's not fast?" so maybe it's just me. Seems like it's holding back or being governed somehow. Compared to my other Janome, which does have a speed control slide-y thingie, it's about 3/4 of the way "fast". Oh well. It will do!!

Thank you for finding these!!! One will be printed tomorrow and come in VERY handy!!

My Pfaff has a slider ont he foot controlwhich limits the top speed, but some machines have it builtinto the front of the machine itself. it looks like > >> >>> or something like that. Do you know anyone else with that machine? Does thier run the same top speed? Can you borrow thier foot and try it on your machine.... thereby identifying if it is the attached foot or the machine that is at fault?

Best Becks
(who always turns the foot control speed down when she loans it to a student in class)

No, I don't know many sewers locally. I don't see anything on the machine or the foot that indicates speed.

I took the top off and thought it looked pretty clean too. So I oiled it and noticed some thread wrapped around something. It took a while, but I think I got it all off. Plugged it in and fired it up. It's doing much better. The funny thing is: I have 4 sewing machines. As far as speed, it would come in 3rd. The winner would be, no contest, my Kenmore from the 1960's!

WOW no wonder I think I would be running a little slower with myself in a bind as well..........lol

Yup! That'll do it!