Re-engage the Safety Clutch on Walking Foot Sewing Machine (2024)

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Introduction: Re-engage the Safety Clutch on Walking Foot Sewing Machine

Industrial sewing machines can seem intimidating to people, especially when they break!

One of the more intimidating machines for people is the Walking Foot Industrial Sewing Machine, which can be found at pretty much any TechShop.

The Juki Walking Foot (at TechShop San Jose) has a very useful safety feature built in, called a safety clutch mechanism, which will automatically engage if there is ever a sewing problem (thread in the hook, etc.) to prevent damage to the machine. However, it can be quite expensive to call a professional out to re-engage the clutch if you don't know how to do it yourself.

In this Instructable, I will show you how simple it is to re-engage the clutch and how do it do safely.

Step 1:

Once you notice your machine is no longer sewing properly, you need to clear your fabric and whatnot from the machine and verify the bobbin race is no longer turning when you press down the foot pedal.

First, for safety reasons, remove your needle, being sure to note which way your needle is facing and where the scarf sits in regards to the machine.

Step 2:

Next, open the bobbin access door and remove the presser foot plate so you can clearly see inside and verify the bobbin is no longer turning when you press on the machine foot.

Once you have this verified, turn your machine off and discharge the power from the motor by pressing down on the machine foot until the motor completely stops.

Step 3:

On the base plate of the sewing machine, under the arm, you should see a large silver button. This is the safety clutch pin.

You will need to press it down completely and hold it while turning the hand wheel towards you. Like other industrial sewing machines, you will probably have to press down slightly on the machine foot in order to turn the wheel.

Turn the wheel both towards you and away from you until you feel the pin engage and press in a little further than it had been before. Once you have the pin fully engaged, start turning the hand wheel towards you.

You will hear a few small "pop" noises as you turn the wheel (again try turnign it both towards you and away from you), but eventually you will hear one very loud and quite distinct "POP" which means you have successfully re-engaged the safety clutch. Once you have done this, you will see the bobbin spin while turning the hand wheel.

Step 4:

Now you can replace your presser foot plate, re-install your needle, and get back to sewing!

Re-engage the Safety Clutch on Walking Foot Sewing Machine (2024)

FAQs

Re-engage the Safety Clutch on Walking Foot Sewing Machine? ›

On the base plate of the sewing machine, under the arm, you should see a large silver button. This is the safety clutch pin. You will need to press it down completely and hold it while turning the hand wheel towards you.

How does a sewing machine clutch work? ›

At the heart of the clutch motor lies the clutch assembly. It consists of a clutch pulley, a clutch shoe, and a clutch spring. The clutch pulley connects to the motor shaft, transmitting power to the sewing machine. The clutch shoe engages with the pulley, allowing for the transfer of rotational motion.

How do you slow down a clutch on a sewing machine? ›

To make your sewing machine run slower, you can start with changing the pulley size on your motor. The smaller the pulley equals the slower the speed. If this is still not slow enough you may wish to look at your motor. There is normally two different types of motors; 2850rpm or 1425rpm.

What are the safety operating procedures for sewing machines? ›

Operation:

Use the proper type and size needle for the fabric being sewn. For zig-zag or any other special stitching, use a throat plate that accommodates a wide stitch. Always maintain a safe zone, of about one inch, where fingers never enter when in operation. Learn to start and run machine slowly & evenly.

How is the clutch working? ›

Clutch Working Principle. A clutch is used to connect two moving shafts that are operating at different speeds. It allows for the disengagement of engine power and facilitates smooth vehicle operation. When the clutch pedal is pressed, the movable friction disc slides on the shaft, causing disengagement.

What connects the pedal to the clutch motor in a sewing machine? ›

These have a clutch that is actuated by that pedal you push on. There are usually multiple holes in the clutch actuator lever, which is a small lever that protrudes from the motor and connects to the pedal (treadle) by an adjustable length rod.

Do you need to press the clutch when slowing down? ›

No , you don't use the clutch when braking / slowing down the vehicle . Clutch connects the drivetrain to the engine , pressing the clutch will disconnect the drivetrain from the engine and your wheels will start moving at even more speed thus increasing your stopping distance .

How do you press down a clutch? ›

Press the clutch fully down to the floor with your left foot before selecting first gear. Place your right foot to the accelerator pedal and hold it steady. As you slowly start to lift your left foot off the clutch, you'll feel the engine and wheels starting to engage and may see the front of the bonnet rise a little.

What is safety operating procedure? ›

Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) (or Safe Working Procedures (SWP)) are operational documents created locally to describe the safest and most efficient way to perform a certain task, carry out an operation or operate a machine/tool.

What safety precautions must be observed? ›

The Basics of Safety
  • STAY ALERT - and stay alive. ...
  • WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES - work clothes should fit properly. ...
  • USE THE RIGHT TOOLS - if you need a hammer, get a hammer. ...
  • LEARN HOW TO LIFT - Lifting takes more than muscle; it is an art.

What is the difference between a walking foot and a non walking foot sewing machine? ›

The seams can easily come out wavy with a regular foot. Walking foot attachments will prevent the fabric from stretching as it moves through the sewing machine. If you're sewing together different fabrics, like leather and other tough materials, the walking foot will ensure they move through at the same rate.

Is a dual feed foot the same as a walking foot? ›

The Walking Foot moves all layers at the same time and pace according to the movement of the feed dog. The Dual Feed function affects the top layer and the feed dog controls the feed of the bottom layer. The Walking Foot has no motor and the foot, dependent the feed dog movement, moves all layers at one time.

How does a clutch work for dummies? ›

Essentially it connects and disconnects the power from your engine to your wheels, via the gearbox. When you press down on the clutch, it disengages the engine from your wheels. This allows you to change gear. In other words, you can't change gears when the clutch is raised.

What is the mechanism of a clutch? ›

The clutch mechanism consists of an armature (1), a pressure plate (2) that pushes the clutch disc onto the flywheel and a diaphragm (3). The diaphragm is cut along the entire inner periphery by a number of radial slots. These form baldes, each of which forms the clutch spring and acts as a lever.

What is the function of clutch and how it operates? ›

Engagement and Disengagement

The primary function of the clutch is to engage and disengage the connection between the engine and the transmission. When the clutch pedal is pressed down, the clutch disengages, separating the engine's power from the transmission.

How does a clutch drum work? ›

Inside the hollow disc-shaped drive drum are two or three freely floating pawls arranged so that when the clutch is tripped, the pawls spring outward much like the shoes in a drum brake. When engaged, the load torque on each pawl transfers to the others to keep them engaged.

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