Sailrite LSZ Sewing Machine Whines at Low Speed

[Christian Williams]

I'm not whining, the machine is. LSZ-1 about seven years old. It works well, but at low sewing speeds it groans like a tomcat in heat. The power is not in question--plenty to penetrate many layers of cloth or repair heavy vinyl ( Lifesling bag).

I had heard that a better quality foot pedal might help. But no, for slow speed work a bigger motor is required. Sailrite sells that as an add-on kit. I don't really need it, so l'll have to quit whining myself. Here's the Sailrite response to my inquiry, and a short video of the issue.

Thank you for reaching out with you questions and concerns. You machine sounds just like mine. I have the LSZ as well that is bought in May 2019. Unfortunately, that was the technology at the time, it does not sound any different and is unlikely there is any foot control issues. If you wish to upgrade your motor system to the Worker B Power Pack you will find that get the slow speed control and power that you are interested in.

https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-WorkerB-Power-Pack-Motor-System-110V

Here is a slow speed demo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyz3MbD8Ltg

Whining example:

Vimeo

vimeo.com

 

[windblown]

I'm not whining, the machine is. LSZ-1 about seven years old. It works well, but at low sewing speeds it groans like a tomcat in heat. The power is not in question--plenty to penetrate many layers of cloth or repair heavy vinyl ( Lifesling bag).

I had heard that a better quality foot pedal might help. But no, for slow speed work a bigger motor is required. Sailrite sells that as an add-on kit. I don't really need it, so l'll have to quit whining myself. Here's the Sailrite response to my inquiry, and a short video of the issue.

Thank you for reaching out with you questions and concerns. You machine sounds just like mine. I have the LSZ as well that is bought in May 2019. Unfortunately, that was the technology at the time, it does not sound any different and is unlikely there is any foot control issues. If you wish to upgrade your motor system to the Worker B Power Pack you will find that get the slow speed control and power that you are interested in.

https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-WorkerB-Power-Pack-Motor-System-110V

Here is a slow speed demo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyz3MbD8Ltg

Whining example:

Vimeo

vimeo.com

I believe the Worker B power pack is now standard on new LSZ1’s. It was introduced as an upgrade option the year I bought mine (2020 or 2021?), sold in a package with the Speed reduction for manual sewing gear. Now they are separate add-ons. I’ve never known the machine without the Worker B (and it doesn’t whine yet, after 5 miles of stitching), but I haven’t found a need for the Speed Reduction set up, yet; the parts are still in the box.

 

[peaman]

The growl that is heard just before the sewing starts sounds to me to be characteristic of certain motor designs when the motor is stalled before enough torque is developed to start turning against the load. So it sounds fairly normal. Will a better foot control help? The current standard foot control is electronic, but I don't know if that was the case seven years ago. If your seven year old machine came with some earlier type of foot control, it might be worth replacing it. Upgrading to the WorkerB power pack will certainly eliminate that noise, but if you don't need the finer performance, it may not be worth the $300 to change.

 

[Vtonian]

In practice, the same noise is generated by using a "growler", heard here about 4min in. Same condition as the stalled motor mentioned by peaman.

Fun fact, if you dismantle a growler, it's a great electromagnet for collecting scattered nails on a jobsite, then just flip a switch and they all fall off.

 

[Bolo]

So after reading your posting, Christian, I had to check my 2023 model Sailrite LSZ machine and it does have the worker B motor so as mentioned before, they seem to be standard now. Your machine does sound loud, much louder than mine, so I pulled a clip from my video on cushion making and include it here. You can just make out the letter “B” on the motor at far left of the video. The machine wasn’t set at the lowest level but it’s relatively quiet. If you machine is still doing the job but loud then maybe purchase a pair of headphones and listen to Thelonious Monk while you’re sewing.

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxtfwOrO0MIvG0TlA_a4V8Lomx0_VhukzO?si=epiZUWjBH9QNIYSE​

 

[peaman]

"It's not the fastest speed, but I do okay with it." --Bolo

I can relate. My 3 year old machine didn't have the WorkerB originally, so I am familiar with the growl before the action. But it was a big distraction for me. Pressing as gently as possible on the foot control, first, the hum starts, and then suddenly, it's off to the races with fabric flying through the machine. No way I could have accomplished what I have done without the WorkerB, which literally allows individual stitches to be placed between adjustments, which is needed for unskilled hands and tight curves.

 

[Christian Williams]

That is a real improvement, no doubt about it. On the other hand, I paid $750 and the new model is $1300.

My model is just annoying, not restricted in power. The technique for slow work in difficult areas is to hand-walk the stitch.

I'm currently completing remaking all the canvas on my boat, a job of 15 yards and many patterns. My biggest issue remains assuring a snag-free run of bulky cloth through the machine. Snags bend the needle so it strikes the cap spring or the gib hook.

 

[Nick J]

The Sailrite LSZ-1 is awesome for what it is, but it's getting close in price to real industrial modern machines. I purchased the worker b the day it came out hoping to improve slow speed control and get rid of the growl. It works great. However, At $1,300 I don't think it's worth it anymore. It was always the most powerful machine at a price point, but now it's close enough to used Juki 1541s and others that it's s not worth it unless you need a small footprint or zig zag stitch. I thought I needed a zig zag machine for sail repair, but after replacing the sun cover on my headsail, I no longer want to touch a sail again.

 

[Christian Williams]

I no longer want to touch a sail again.

Hear hear!

 

[Prairie Schooner]

. . . but now it's close enough to used Juki 1541s and others . . .

I've used my canvas-tech friend's Juki and it's lowest speed is still lightning fast when I attempt to apply my rudimentary skills. IIRC correctly, the motor is always running and the speed control is a knee lever that engages the drive. I don't remember if it's a belt drive or something else. The speed does vary, somehow. Maybe that's just the way hers is set up and there are other options. With that system, perhaps different size pulleys would slow it down.

 

[Nick J]

I've used my canvas-tech friend's Juki and it's lowest speed is still lightning fast when I attempt to apply my rudimentary skills. IIRC correctly, the motor is always running and the speed control is a knee lever that engages the drive. I don't remember if it's a belt drive or something else. The speed does vary, somehow. Maybe that's just the way hers is set up and there are other options. With that system, perhaps different size pulleys would slow it down.

The new ones are servo motors and there's speed reducers available to allow for stitch by stitch accuracy just like the worker b from sail rite