CHANGING CLUTCH TO SERVO

[Regina NEEDS help]

I have a juke LU 562 with a clutch motor.

Was thinking of changing to a servo motor. 

Has anyone changed motors on their machines?  Is there anything I should know before switching over? Will it effect my sewing machine (negatively) if i change over to a servo motor?

[sofadoc]

Easy as pie. Won't cause anything negative. The mounting bolts should all be the same. You might have to find a shorter belt.

[brmax]

Hi there, I think everybody likes the change very much when they do. I'm confident saying this about the experienced ones I listen to.
For one they are quiet, I don't know how much energy they save but enough!
There are some different makes and models that should be looked at and considered in my opinion.
I would consider someone to remove the old clutch motor as they are heavy and awkward, but the servo is a few pounds and easily workable.
Some have an optional pulley size as normally a 90mm with smaller options like 50mm and my choice. This smaller one allows me control better at my slower sew speed plain and simple.
The ability to have a v-belt that is another size will be needed most likely, white ones or ace hardware carries some to try and return easy enough I found.
Some have options on a positioner they call it, this might be considered but I don't know.
Hope this is a start in your quest, and asking I agree is like photos worth a lot so have a good day.

[Tejas]

As has been said, changing from a clutch-motor to a servo-motor is easy and will likely require a different size belt.

I've had experience with two motors of each of two brands, Consew servo-motors that were not variable speed and that I do not recommend and Family FESM-550S variable speed servo-motors that I do highly recommend.

Both brands allow setting the top speed. Setting the Consew was tedious and a hassle with flashing numbers. Setting the FESM-5550S is via a dial. With the FESM-550S I can single-cycle the needle. With the Consew, I cannot reliably single-cycle the needle.

[gene]

I also have a Juki LU 562, which by the way, has a smaller bobbin than the Juki LU 563.

I looked into getting a servo motor all the way to how it would be installed, and it looks like it would be rather easy. I haven't bought a servo yet simply because I haven't gotten around to it. I've gotten very good at varying the speed on my clutch motor.

I have a neighborhood hardware store that has a very large collection of drive belts and that's where I'll get a belt when the time comes.

I would suggest buying a servo motor from someone who sells and services industrial sewing machines. There are servo motors that do not have the 'pick up' needed for industrial machines. Do a search on this forum if you are looking for such sellers.

Best of luck,

gene

[Tejas]

I would suggest buying a servo motor from someone who sells and services industrial sewing machines.

As for where to buy, I purchased the FESM-5550S servo-motors from Gregg at keysew.com, a frequent contributor to this forum.

[Regina NEEDS help]

thank you all! Much to think about.  Was considering changing to a servo to have more control over speed.  I have practiced long and hard with my clutch motor and just can't get the hang of starting off slow.. its absolutely driving me nuts.  In the mean time today, I picked up a smaller pulley to see if that at all helps with controlling the speed.

[sofadoc]

Gregg at keysew.com, a frequent contributor to this forum.

I wish he still were. He answered a lot of sewing machine questions. But he hasn't posted here in 3 years.

I bought 2 servos from Gregg. If you tell him your model #, he will recommend the right servo for your price range.

[Mojo]

I have done the change out several times. It is no biggie. I did have to change the belt out once on one.

I cut my stitching teeth on a servo so am very partial to them. You will find some of our older masters grew up on clutch motors and are partial to them. The first machine I ever sat down at I was 5 yrs old. It was my Mom's Kenmore and it had a servo type motor. My first industrial machine had a servo and I got so used to it that when I did sew on a clutch machine I nearly ran my hand under the foot. Try as I may I never found the art of controlling a clutch motor. I also hated the sound of the motor running all the time.

Servo's are awesome additions to any shop.

Chris

[Darren Henry]

some of our older masters grew up on clutch motors and are partial to them

Hey, I resemble that remark Jack!! LOL

I've never used a servo, but have heard many positive reports on them. Personally I can't justify the expense, but I've been using a 226 Consew with reverse for the last 5+years and can count the number of times I've used the reverse (other than starting stopping) with out taking my other sock off so call me old school.