Machine Vibrating the Whole Floor -- What to Do?
 

I'm absolutely thrilled with my Pfaff 130 I got a couple of weeks ago, but it has a real bad vibration. I can't go even slightly fast or then the whole machine and cabinet will start shaking the whole floor. Our house is old and we are working on putting supports in the basement to prevent more settlement. I don't want the Pfaff vibration to bring the house down, lol! Any tips on how to absorb some of the vibrations? None of my Singers shake like this one!

Hmmmm . . . no help here. I've never had a machine that vibrated that much. I hope someone else can help.

There was a recent thread about this very thing but with another machine. A few of the suggestions were the kneeling garden pads made of rubber or foam, putting the machine on a very sturdy table and/or adding one of the quilted machine tool/machine caddy with a lot of batting in it. I would put the machine on a very sturdy table (think wood), up against an exterior wall. There is usually more framing there. Years ago, I was doing some machine embroidery and was using one of the 6 foot fold up tables. The machine wasn't stable at all. I put a 2' x 3' piece of thick plywood under my machine and it stopped most of the shaking.

It looks like you have hard wood floors. Have you checked the joints of the cabinet to make sure joints are all tight?

I work in a sheet metal shop with lots of heavy machines and the smaller ones that aren't bolted to the floor have a tendency to scoot while being used. I have one machine that I put 2x4s behind, but it still scoots to the side and that is on a solid cement floor. So I can imagine what it is like with a sewing machine. I don't think building a frame and bolting it to the joists would be an option.

I'm not sure if something like https://www.target.com/p/mohawk-1-6-...t/-/A-23983958 would help, but looks like it might if it is large enough to set under the whole cabinet. I'm thinking a thick mat with rubber backing would help. I saw that was a solution for moving pedal at https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...l-t300212.html

Good luck, that sure is a nice looking machine and well liked Pfaff model,


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I would do a thorough clean and oiling of the machine, just to make sure, the 130 is a stable low noise machine. I assume it's electrical, but it's much the same for a treadle; go through all joints and resting points, the machine has to rest stabely in the cabinet, and the cabinet feet should ideally be fitted with sturdy furniture felt. Are any of them missing? There's usually felt where the machine bed rest in the cabinet too. All feet has to rest evenly on the floor, no tilt in either direction. Check the motor belt, not too tight, slightly on the loose side, and it should run smoothly; it is all about condition of the motor belt (you might need a new), and straight line between motor pulley and hand wheel. Hardwood floors or tiles are no poblem with the right precautions. Check the cabinet for anything needing tightening up, every thing should be firm, nothing should wiggle.

First: Put the sewing machine on a different table and use it. Does it still vibrate like crazy? If so, the machine is probably the culprit.

Second: Have you ever gone into a restaurant and been seated at a table that rocks? It sounds like you could have a similar problem.

Maybe you could put shims under the legs until the vibration either stops or is minimized. It's trial and error, no doubt. I was thinking you might be able to do it with those little pads of paper with sticky glue on one end. Set a full pad under each of the legs, then take off a few of the papers at a time from each leg until the table is not vibrating so much.

Mind you, I have not tried this method, but it's pretty cheap to try. If it works, you have the levels needed for each leg and can use the pads to find a more durable shim.

the foam mats you stand on in the kitchen buy one and put your machine on it it will work wonders for you

Addendum to the first suggestion - If you use a different table in the room where the machine is already vibrating and it still vibrates, try sewing on a different table in a different room.

I'm certainly no expert, but something seems wrong more than just vibration. I bought a 130 at an auction and didn't touch it for 2 years, plus who knows how long it sat before it was auctioned. I just oiled it and it purred like a kitten.

I believe I would be looking for the cause of the vibration rather than trying to mask it. I have a 401 which i believe is not as nice a machine as a 130, and it's in a cabinet on hardwood floors and it doesn't vibrate.

Do you have a level? See if the cabinet is level. Make sure the machine is well oiled. I'd try to isolate where the vibration is coming from. Is it cabinet? Is it the machine? Take the belt off and run it, does it still vibrate?

If I couldn't figure it out, I'd take it to the OSMG. I think the machine would be worth it. I think there is definitely something wrong, not just a vibration problem. MY OSMG will sell you a 15 minute "look at" for $20.00. If it's really simple, he fixes it. If not, he tells you how much it will probably cost. Maybe yours will.

bkay

Wow, thank all for your suggestions! I'll try all your ideas!

I agree with you - my suggestions were to eliminate the table and floor as the cause of vibration. Once you have eliminated location as the source of the problem, there is nothing left but the machine.

You haven't had a chance to anwer yet, and here lots of much the same advice up against each other. The common causes for vibration in these models are; worn motor belt, there is a timing belt inside that needs to be checked too, but it usually doesn't cause much vibration. As mentioned by several now, the machine has to be stable in the cabinet, as well as the cabinet feet on the floor. This adds can add up to quite a bit of rattle if more than one thing needs attention. When it's all checked, run the machine slowly with all plates off and see if you can detect any problem, something too loose, unhinged or comming appart. Even sticky parts can cause noise and vibrations, on some models parts move in open cam like links, and they can be a rattle if not all part move smoothly.

My thoughts are that the machine needs a good spa day. A thorough cleaning inside and then a thorough oiling. It shouldn't be vibrating this bad even on a less than perfect surface.

Cari

Have you taken the drive belt off and spun it by hand? is there a bit of the rotation that always has drag?.

Have you run the motor without the belt and looked for vibration? Throughly oil the underbed and wiggle bits and see if anything wobbles more than you think it should.

If none of these produce a clue, put it on your porch and PM me your addy and I'll take your problem away.

I'd put yoga mats under the machine, and those interlocking play mats or machine tool mats under the table legs.

I have already tried a couple of foam type materials for this purpose. They didn't last very long, they lost their cushioning effect and went flat after a while. What type did you have success with? What have lasted for me is plain furniture felt pads, the thick sturdy type. It's sold various places, easy to find, and doesn't cost much. I have even tried a foamy type furniture pad with grip and anti-slide effect, made for the purpose, but it turned flat after a while.

I found that you need a very sturdy table that helps eliminate most of this problem! I went to a second hand store and purchased a old computer desk,,,,the kind that has a little shelf that pulls out for the key board... and it works wonderfully! Next my hubby drilled a hole about 3 inches across, on the side ( about 3 inches down,) so my sewing cord could be plugged in on the underside of the desk instead of going behind the thin backing, he even cut out a rectangle in the backing that matched my outlet, so my new table sits flush against the wall! Hope this helps

I have tried many of the helpful suggestions here. Thanks! I think it might be the belt, as it doesn't vibrate at all with the belt off. The belt isn't sitting in the small turning wheel on the motor, but sitting on the outside. I noticed that when I slowly turned the balance wheel by hand there is some resistance at one point of the complete circle. I'm just hoping it isn't any damage to the one plastic part in the interior arm! I don't think that can be fixed if it is cracked.

I also took apart the foot pedal (actually knee controller) and noticed that the machine starts vibrating once it hits an exact speed. Maybe I can loosen a spring and see if that helps.

It isn't the cabinet that is causing the vibrations. I took the machine out and tried it in my other cabinets, that I know don't vibrate, and the Pfaff still shook.

My Hubby has more mechanical aptitude than me, so we will be looking at it together this weekend.

I suspect you have found the problem. That pulley and belt are deigned to go together. If it tis riding on the hub of the pulley, it could be turning over a set screw and shaking the belt every revolution. Put the belt into the slot and see how it goes. Rats, I guess I won't be snagging this one from you... Fingers crossed.

The belt is actually too wide for the back motor pulley, so it's not fitting in the slot. I have one other older Singer belt. I'm going to try that. It's a bit cracked, so it won't be permanently used on the Pfaff.

Don't worry, Leon, I have no intention of letting this machine go! I'm really proud of it and can't wait to use it for my applique projects. I don't give up on machines that easily! If I couldn't use it in the house because of vibration, I get my DH to built me a sewing shed with a cement pad foundation!

I need a "like" button NZquilter. I love your answer about the sewing shed on a concrete pad.

Yes, this! I use a big old conference table and we can all sit and sew without any problem but when we go to friends homes we have the problem too because of the tables.

A 130 should be smooth, no need for major floor support or cushioning to make it run nice. You should get far with basic maintanance and sorting out possible mechanical issues. You are onto the problem already, pulley, belt and hand wheel need to be right. I have bought basic v-belts from SewClassic and ebay, they were the narrow type. If there are cracks or chips in the hand wheel, there are fixes for it. They tend to be in good condition, but the 130 usually has a bakelite hand wheel and things can happen. For the resistance in the hand wheel, I suspect it needs more cleaning and oiling, go through all the points thoroughly, and observe parts as you turn the hand wheel. Generally; trouble shooting is more of the same already mentioned.

It is not my cabinet. Already ran all the tests for the cabinet. It is the machine.

Thanks! I agree, I think it is the belt. I'll check the balance wheel too. Also I noticed that my manual shows more oiling points than my machine has holes for, so I think that's why I am having a hard time reaching some spots.

Every machine has more oiling points than holes. Oil every place that has two surfaces moving.

I know you'll get it sorted.

Spot on, some models it can be handy with an long spout oil can. Like leon mentions, all joints, gears, hinges, end of rods, cam like parts, where metal moves against metal needs oil The trick is to oil a drop or two, then run the machine, yet another drop every where, and do this persistantly for a while. It's typical for machines that's recently taken out of storage or neglected.