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Member since 3/14/19
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Posted on: 3/22/19 8:34 PM ET
i have an older kenmore and wondering if i can get a pedal with a slow fast mode. it would be nice to have more speed control.
  
Member since 11/5/16
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Posted on: 3/22/19 9:42 PM ET
First, make sure your SM is clean and well lubricated. Older mechanical SMs get a little jumpy, going from stop to fast quickly if they sit and need some TLC. If that doesn't give you what you desire, you'll need to find a way to lower the voltage to your SM. A variable transformer is the best way to go, but they can get a little pricey. ($50 - $100 on Amazon). The nice part is all you do is plug into the transformer, fully depress you pedal and dial in the top speed you want. You can even go back to full speed without unplugging. Because you're not changing anything on you're SM, you can use it on any older mechanical SM you want. Good luck and enjoy sewing.
-- Edited on 3/22/19 at 9:43 PM --
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-- Edited on 3/23/19 at 10:53 PM --
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Singer Coverstitch 14T968DC
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 3/22/19 10:02 PM ET
In reply to woolybulle
As ajknots says, first make sure your machine is clean and lubricated. A Variac or other controller can be used on series wound or universal motors, like most mechanical sewing machines use. The trade off is that you don't get full needle punching force on those machines till they're running almost full out flat, whether you're using a pedal or a variac to control the speed, unlike the stepper and servo motors used on computerized machines. Interestingly, it takes 3x the energy to start one of these basic motors than it does to keep it running flat out. In old houses with marginal wiring systems, it was fairly common to see the lights dim when you started a seam.

When I'm sewing on a mechanical machine with young kids, I usually look for a way to block the pedal to keep it from being fully depressed... I can usually rig up something temporary with art gum erasers or blocks of wood and masking tape, so they don't scare themselves when first learning to steer.

Sometimes pedals develop a "flat spot" or sticky spot where it's hard to depress the pedal -- often from mechanical damage. A replacement pedal can fix that.

Anyone else remember sewing with the old carbon disk resistor pedals like Singer used to use, and getting a hotfoot when you sewed too long at too slow a speed????
  
Member since 11/5/16
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Posted on: 3/23/19 6:24 AM ET
In reply to kayl
I've used the supply voltage lowering method on my personal SMs and a nice side effect is the old control peddles don't get as warm. Since the supply voltage is lower, the carbon pile used doesn't need to make the voltage drop as much, and the result is less waste heat. I used this method when trying to use a ruffler on my Singer 534. Without voltage lowering, the SM ran too fast and made ruffling anything of length very difficult to do. I checked both the foot controller and SM motor often while using this method and both appeared to run much cooler throughout the ruffling. The real trick I found and like to use with the old universal motors, is running on DC instead of AC. Because the supplied current is continuous, low speed performance is improved. It was a good experience, but I use it less now that my skills have improved. SMs are so much fun to play with!☺
-- Edited on 3/23/19 at 9:33 AM --
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Singer Quantum 9960|Singer 7640 Confidence|Singer 7258 Stylist|Singer 3342 Fashion Mate|Singer 534 Stylist|Singer Brilliance 6199|Singer 15-91|Singer 237 Fashion Mate|Singer 239 Fashion Mate|Janome New Home 654|Brother PE770|Singer Sergers 14SH764, 14J250, 14U354B, 14U286B|
Singer Coverstitch 14T968DC
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 3/23/19 7:14 AM ET
In reply to ajknots
Ah, yes, you do have fun!
  
Member since 3/14/19
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Posted on: 3/23/19 8:51 AM ET
In reply to kayl
wow, this is a great idea. and it won't cost an arm and a leg. gonna have to ransack my husbands workshop for a 'fixer'.
  
Member since 5/28/11
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Posted on: 3/23/19 9:40 AM ET
In reply to woolybulle
I don't know what year you machine was made but my 1980 can go slow or fast. Maybe something is wrong with your pedal? They do wear out and wiring gets old.
  
Member since 3/14/19
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Posted on: 3/23/19 9:44 AM ET
In reply to Marie367
it is my beloved kennie with the rose patterned case. circa 1974? first machine and much loved.
  
Member since 5/28/11
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Posted on: 3/23/19 10:00 AM ET
In reply to woolybulle
It sounds lovely (my 1980 Kenmore was my first adult purchase so I know how you feel). Get it checked out. If you can't get it to slow down or speed up (usually speed is the problem), the wiring might be old and need replaced.
  
Member since 9/4/08
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Posted on: 3/23/19 10:15 AM ET
I buy electronic controllers for all my vintage machines and they work perfectly. Check with sew-classic.com to see if she has the connection that you need. https://shop.sew-classic.com/Foot-Controls-Foot-Pedals-Parts_c9.htm
  
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