Noisy walking foot sewing machine

[Dormar]

  I am new to this forum...and make airplane covers for experimental aircraft and I make boat covers and repair upholstery and hem my jeans.  My walking foot sewing machine (and I know it was made in China - that I am sorry to admit it after reading things on this forum about industrial sewing machine quality) but it is so noisy that I almost need ear protection.  I have oiled it well and that did not help.  I am wondering if all walking foot sewing machines are terribly loud. :(

[sofadoc]

Is it the machine that's loud? Or is it the motor? Are you getting a lot of vibration noise when idling? Does it sound like metal clanking against metal when sewing?
What model machine?
Answer these questions, and maybe we can steer you in the right direction.
They do tend to be louder when you're sewing long runs at a fast speed. But it shouldn't be loud enough to need ear plugs.

[baileyuph]

Is the name/number on the machine? 

Walking feet machines, some anyway, can be relatively noisy, but sounds like yours is above normal. 

There are walking foot machines and compound walking foot as well, knowing more about the machine might help  a small bit.

BTW, welcome and sounds like an interesting line of work. 

Does the noise seem to be getting worse?  It could be that the machine needs the attention of a mechanic.

Doyle

[Grebo]

My Pfaff rattles like a bag of bolts if it gets sand / grit in it, when restitching old stuff mainly. I have to blast it out with an air gun & give it a good oiling then it's fine.

Suzi

[Gregg @ Keystone Sewing]

Is it the machine that's loud? Or is it the motor? Are you getting a lot of vibration noise when idling? Does it sound like metal clanking against metal when sewing?
What model machine?
Answer these questions, and maybe we can steer you in the right direction.
They do tend to be louder when you're sewing long runs at a fast speed. But it shouldn't be loud enough to need ear plugs.

This.  Is it the motor or the machine?  Take the belt off machine and run the motor alone, and see if the motor is making noise.