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[SmokinSCustoms]

If you have a servo motor there will be some resistance in the motor but it shouldn't be excessive. I would think if something was wrong with your motor you would be able to hear it.

How tight do you have the belt tension set? You don't need a lot. I don't know if that could cause the problem... Just a thought

Where did you buy the machine from? I would call them If you can and ask if what your experiencing is normal.

@John I can't really hear anything when its running that sounds "off" The machine was pre assembled on its table whenever I received it. It came from Sunny Sewing Machines in Dallas.

Can we upload short video's to the forum? I know you've embedded videos in some of your responses, is there any trick to that? If that's possible I'll take a video of the machine on and off the motor.

[John]

@SmokinSCustoms To put a video in the forum you have to load to video to Youtube and then post the videos link in the forum.

I would call Sunny Sewing Machines and see what the have to say first.

[SmokinSCustoms]

@John 10-4. I'll give them a call. It kinda of looks like the belt might be misaligned just a hair. They didn't leave me much adjustment the way they mounted the motor but I'll check with them and see what they've got to say.

[SmokinSCustoms]

After tweaking and testing with the machine for awhile I went ahead and stitched another panel. It has definitely improved from where it was. I'm wondering now if just the fact of having thread through the vinyl and the cloth backer on the seam is enough to make it pull together slightly. Basically it looks like to me the ends are trying to get drawn into the middle. All of my tensions on everything are as low as I can possible make them and the machine still sew. Getting these wrinkles out when going to the panel shouldn't be an issue and it looks worse than what it really is.

[John]

That's defiantly possible. A little steam should relax that seam easily and lay much flatter.

[BigRig]

Smokin where did you end up with your machine issues? I was having massive problems with mine took me out of practice for a few weeks even. I ended up shipping it to a real mechanic and it came back sewing pretty good just some thread jams under the feed dog just like in Johns videos with his Juki.

[SmokinSCustoms]

Big I managed to get sick right after sewing that big piece, so haven't had a lot of time on the machine since. I did noticed earlier today that my pickup spring was barely moving and somehow it had managed to rotate out when it wasn't doing much of anything. So in the process of messing with that. Also noticed my needle thread had dove all the way in on the tension springs, probably when I backed everything way off. So now we're gonna put in some test time before starting the headliner panels.

[BigRig]

Smokin is that a new machine? I have an older machine and think I have its quirks figured out but it went so haywire it would not sew at all for a while. I really like looking at all the machines and learning about them.

[SmokinSCustoms]

Yeah its a new machine, far as I know anyways. First big machine I've been on. But I figure just bite the bullet and after a few decent jobs it'll pay for itself, which its pretty much paid for itself already. Lord knows there is a bunch of options when it comes to sewing machines. My wife and I did a lot of looking before picking this one up.

[BigRig]

Nice!!! I love sewing and your machine looks really cool!

[SmokinSCustoms]

@John
@Bondo497
@BigRig

Finally got this monster put together. It laid down decent enough. Pretty sure its the biggest panel I've ever done.

[BigRig]

@Smoking, Great work!

You present yourself as a Pro!

[John]

Looking good @SmokinSCustoms!
Haha your not kidding that is one long panel!

[Bondo497]

Lookin mighty fine there Smoke

[BigRig]

Motivational isn't it Bondo!

[SmokinSCustoms]

HaHa I appreciate it. I'm far from a pro. I do get my share of practice in though. This is just one of the many things I'm trying to do. If you all are on facebook or instagram and look up #smokinscustoms you'll find a whole bunch of projects. You can also like the page and follow us for updates on non-upholstery related stuff. We also started doing giveaways.
@BigRig @Bondo497 @John

https://www.facebook.com/smokinscustoms
https://www.instagram.com/smokinscustoms/

[BigRig]

Well thats COOL!

[Revv Up]

I’ve watched some videos of guys sewing large panels of boat cloth so I’m not sure it applies to vinyl but may be worth trying... he VERY slightly stretches both materials with his palms and he’s guiding it as he sews, regriping every 2’ or so.

[John]

Do you have the link to that video?

[Revv Up]

Do you have the link to that video?

Ok, I was little off as he’s installing a zipper BUT... my interpretation was that this teqnique is for all boat type materials. It would be worth giving it a try on some long vinyl seams to see if it helps make a difference,

These guys run a boat top school and put out some quality work and some how to videos.