Noisy Featherweight--looking for ideas
#1
Noisy Featherweight--looking for ideas
I have a Singer 221 I picked up for $50 at an estate sale, knowing full well it'd be a project machine. At this point I have oiled and greased all the appropriate spots, and it spins fairly smoothly. Not perfectly, but I think I need to run it continuously to flush/work out all the debris it picked up while sitting in a dog crate filled with... well, poop. Humphrey has been through the ringer.
My problem right now is the motor. It spins freely, but makes a loud noise when it does. I took it apart and polished the actuator, cleaned out as much loose debris as possible, and cleaned out the old grease and replaced it with new grease. However, it makes a loud zzzwhir noise when it spins, and spins very very slowly.
My other Featherweight had its motor completely rebuilt by a guy I found (who sadly is no longer in business), and is almost silent and sews like a dream. I recorded a video comparing the two and showing my debugging. https://youtu.be/RXdIXvQjHCA
Has anyone encountered a machine this noisy, and fixed it? I haven't replaced the carbon brushes or done much to them, I'm wondering if maybe that would help?
My problem right now is the motor. It spins freely, but makes a loud noise when it does. I took it apart and polished the actuator, cleaned out as much loose debris as possible, and cleaned out the old grease and replaced it with new grease. However, it makes a loud zzzwhir noise when it spins, and spins very very slowly.
My other Featherweight had its motor completely rebuilt by a guy I found (who sadly is no longer in business), and is almost silent and sews like a dream. I recorded a video comparing the two and showing my debugging. https://youtu.be/RXdIXvQjHCA
Has anyone encountered a machine this noisy, and fixed it? I haven't replaced the carbon brushes or done much to them, I'm wondering if maybe that would help?
#2
I hope the moderators will put this in the vintage category. There are a lot of people there who are knowledgeable about FW's.
I watched your video and it sure is loud. On the plus side- it looks really nice for everything it's been through.
I have several FW's but not this problem.
I watched your video and it sure is loud. On the plus side- it looks really nice for everything it's been through.
I have several FW's but not this problem.
#3
I hope the moderators will put this in the vintage category. There are a lot of people there who are knowledgeable about FW's.
I watched your video and it sure is loud. On the plus side- it looks really nice for everything it's been through.
I have several FW's but not this problem.
I watched your video and it sure is loud. On the plus side- it looks really nice for everything it's been through.
I have several FW's but not this problem.
#7
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Georgetown, Texas
Posts: 94
If you haven't already done so, check www.Singer-Featherweight.com. There are many tutorials on the website and you might find some help with your issues there.
#8
If you haven't already done so, check www.Singer-Featherweight.com. There are many tutorials on the website and you might find some help with your issues there.
#9
Doing a search there for "motor maintenance" came up with too many results so I went to Schoolhouse and motor. While they may not directly address the loudness, perhaps the sections on cleaning, lubrication and brushes may help. https://singer-featherweight.com/blo...e/tagged/motor
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
#10
Doing a search there for "motor maintenance" came up with too many results so I went to Schoolhouse and motor. While they may not directly address the loudness, perhaps the sections on cleaning, lubrication and brushes may help. https://singer-featherweight.com/blo...e/tagged/motor
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)