2:58PM
May I borrow your ears?
Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 2:58PM I’ve uploaded a recording of my featherweight motor noise. About halfway through, I slowed the speed down and the “raspy” noise is more pronounced. Can those of you that have a featherweight tell me if this sounds normal to you?
It’s grating to me, not at all a “purring” noise I’m used to hearing on my other machines… most especially my Singer 201-2.
Now that Jim’s fixed the motor humming noise, he doesn’t think this sounds bad, and is probably just the way this particular motor sounds. The brushes are fine. I find it rather annoying to listen to, I don’t recall anyone’s FW sounding like that in my quilt groups, but perhaps I just wasn’t paying attention.
Reader Comments (14)
I don't have a featherweight... but if that is what they sound like I no longer want one! Wow...not a good sound. Can you return it?
I don't have a FW either but that sound would drive me bonkers. It is so high pitched. My 830 Record Electronic has a loud motor sound. I didn't use it for five years, had it serviced, and the sound is much louder than I remember. I don't think there is much I can do about it. So sorry that the beautiful cabernet machine isn't making you happy.
I assume you oiled the heck out of it?
Mine is very quiet.
Send it back!
That is a bad sound in my opinion.
CJ, That buzzing noise is not normal but I'm sure you've already had a lot of people tell you that. For the money you spent on this machine, I surely hope the sellers make good on their work. Have you emailed Graham Forsdyke to get a second opinion?
I couldn't live with that but I am very sensitive to sound. You may have done this already but with a few minutes to kill I went to YouTube.
I don't notice that sound here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVmZAwjsw9Q
or here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7C79fbjSZ0&NR=1
Maybe not the same sound but something really grating here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jiiaj20Nkg
CJ, My featherweight doesn't sound like that. The seller needs to make it right.
mine isn't real quite but it doesn't sound like that. My featherweight is louder than my Janome but not enough to drive me bonkers like that one would. If you come to the quilt group on Thursday I bet some will have their machines along and you can compare. I don't know if I would remember to bring my machine as I will have hand work I'm sure. If Bea is at the group she might be able to tell you what the problem is.
Karen
That high pitched sound is not normal.
I know that the seller is working with you and will make it right but what I don't understand is how he released it like that to you in that condition.
You must be so disappointed. Hope you are able to get it all sorted out soon so that you can feel that excitement again. They really are fun little machines.
I did find something about your foot controller overheating. This is from the yahoo group.
"The controller overheating is a sure sign that it's badly adjusted.
That center screw needs backing off. As it is you are feeding
electricity through the carbon discs all the time."
The good thing about these machines is that they are pretty easy to fix.
Nope, that doesn't sound like mine. Mine purrs. Yours sounds almost like a bobbin is winding!
Thank you everyone, I appreciate that you took the time to listen. I contacted the seller with the audio file, followed his suggestions, and am still not happy with the sound of the motor, so I think I am going to ask to return the machine.
CJ, You are spending too much of your and Jim's valuable time on a machine that should have arrived in good condition. You paid for a good working machine and that is what you should have received. Send it back and the seller should compensate you for your time spent trying to fix it.