Are you having issues with your sewing machine foot pedal? Don’t worry; I have also encountered various issues with the foot pedal over the years. The foot pedal is not complicated as you might have thought. Actually, you might fix the foot pedal on your own.
Let’s look at different issues with the sewing machine foot pedal and how to fix these issues.
My sewing machine foot pedal gets hot.
One of the common issues with a foot pedal entails the pedal getting hot. As you continually rest your foot on the pedal, you might realize that the pedal is becoming hot.
You should visually inspect the foot pedal and if you find some loose connections, make sure that you fix the connection.
If the pedal becomes extremely hot to the extent that you find it hard to rest your foot on it, you should immediately switch off the sewing machine.
After that, you will need to determine whether your sewing speed is at par with the manufacturer’s specification. Specifically, when sewing speed is low, and you happen to sew for a long time, the rheostat will reduce the current in the machine, and through the current reduction process, the foot pedal gets hot.
If you find out that your sewing speed is low, you will need to increase the speed, resulting in the issue being solved.
When you are not sewing, you need to ensure that your foot is not resting on the pedal. Many sewing machines have been designed so that once you place the foot on the pedal, the machine is turned on. If you are not sewing, tiny current bits will be sent to the machine’s control unit, resulting in the pedal overheating.
It would be best if you also found out whether the current from your electricity supply source is standard. If the current is small, it will be hard to move the needle, and as the pedal takes in more power, it gets hot.
Foot Pedal Not Powering On
If you have an unstable electricity supply that might cause the sparking of electricity wires, then you need to use a surge protector.
Even if there are different types of surge protectors, the main purpose is to ensure that the electricity to the sewing machine is stable. Therefore, installing a surge protector for your sewing machine will protect you from any power surges.
Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Is Too Fast
As is the case with any other machine, when some parts of the machine are worn out, the parts will need to be replaced so that machine functions well.
The sewing machine has a foot pedal control unit. The unit’s work is to control the speed of the foot pedal. Thus, the control unit tends to wear off when the sewing machine is used for a long time. If you have a closer look at the foot pedal control unit, you might find that there are some parts of the unit that have fallen off.
You can use super glue or epoxy glue to put the fallen parts back in their place to fix the issue. However, after you have sewed, you should take the machine to a qualified sewing machine technician. The technician will repair the foot pedal and ensure it is fixed to last for a long time.
It is also important that you refer to the foot pedal troubleshooting guide found in the manual provided by the sewing machine manufacturer. From the manual, you might identify the faulty part in the foot pedal and buy a replacement for a small fee.
If your repair technician informs you that the repair job might last a few weeks as he waits for the parts to be shipped from abroad, you might consider purchasing a new foot pedal and have it replaced immediately if you want to use the sewing machine soon.
Why Is The Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Sticking?
The sewing foot pedal is likely to be sticking due to poor lubrication. If that is the case, you need to lubricate the springs and other parts that lack enough lubrication.
You should also visually inspect the foot pedal and determine whether the spring has broken down or become loose. Then, you can replace it with a new spring, and the issue will be solved.
When visually inspecting the foot pedal, you will need to look out for any dust or other types of dirt that could limit the spring’s hold and release functions in the foot pedal. It would help if you cleaned any dirt and dust found so that the spring functions well.
If those fixes do not help you, you should reach out to your repairman and have the foot pedal fixed.
Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Switch Broken
If the switch for your foot pedal is broken, it needs to be replaced. You can buy the switch from your local sewing machine retailer or other electrical equipment suppliers.
It would also help to inspect the cord linking the foot pedal with the motor as it might be the faulty one. In the sewing machine manual, you can review the foot pedal wiring system and look at how the foot pedal is linked to the motor.
Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Needs Adjustment
You probably want to either increase the speed of the foot pedal or decrease the pedal’s speed. To adjust the pedal, you will need a screwdriver. With the screwdriver, unscrew the foot pedal screws and then readjust the contact section to ensure that the power coming from the foot pedal matches the desired speed.
When your adjustment results in the foot pedal using less power, then the speed of the pedal will reduce. If you are looking to increase the speed of the sewing machine foot pedal, you will need to make sure that the adjustment results to the contact point have been increased so that there is increased power.
It is important to note that even if the circuit board has control of most of the foot pedals, it can be challenging to control the foot pedal from the circuit board since not all circuit boards have options to control the speed of the foot pedal.
Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Keeps Getting Out Of Place
A simple solution for a foot pedal that keeps getting out of place involves using a non-slip floor mat. Specifically, if your foot pedal is placed on a hard floor such as ceramic tiles or laminate flooring, a non-slip mat will ensure that the pedal will always be in place.
Another solution entails the use of a footrest. However, you need to make sure that you do not lift the pedal regularly since if you do that, you will find that the pedal falls out of place.
Repairing a sewing machine foot pedal
Before doing anything, ensure that you have switched off the sewing machine and unplugged it from the power supply. This is important as it makes sure that you are not exposed to any electrical risks.
Visually inspect the food pedal’s power cord for any damages. In particular, you should look for any cracks and signs of burns. If you find any damage, you have to make sure that you either fix it or replace the damaged power cord.
After confirming that the power cord has no damage, you inspect the wires. If you find that some of the foot pedal wires are loose, you will need to either tighten or replace the wires.
Finally, you need to clean the foot pedal and ensure that all dirt, dust, and other foreign materials are cleaned. Make it a habit to clean the foot pedal regularly as it is one of the maintenance routines recommended by most sewing machine manufacturers.
My Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Is Smelling Burnt
Any smell of burnt part in the foot pedal indicates that something is not right with the foot pedal. Even if the foot pedal is working fine, you should switch the sewing machine off and have the pedal checked.
Using a sewing machine foot pedal that smells burnt can be devastating.
It is recommended that you have the foot pedal checked by an expert. The burnt smell indicates that something in the foot pedal is overheating. The expert checking the foot pedal will inspect it and advise you whether you should replace the entire foot pedal or have the faulty part in the foot pedal repaired.
Can I Open A Sewing Machine Foot Pedal On My Own?
If you are not sure of what you are doing, do not try to open the foot pedal on your own. Take note that there are some electrical connections on the pedal, and if you happen to interfere with the connection after opening up the pedal, it might blow up when you connect it back to the power source.
If you are not sure how to open the foot pedal, you should take the pedal to the repairman.
My Feet Hurts When I Use The Sewing Machine Foot Pedal
Many people complain that their feet hurt when they use the foot pedal.
You are most likely hurting your feet after sewing for a long time. Take a break so that your leg muscles can relax. If you are sewing with one foot, consider using both feet to ensure that you can have your feet alternating on the foot pedal.
If you are sewing after a long time or are now starting to sew for long hours, the feet could hurt as they get used to the pressure that comes from continuously stepping on the foot pedal. So, with time, you should be able to use the foot pedal for a long time without your feet hurting.
If your feet hurt even after trying the recommended solutions, you might have to consider buying a sewing machine that does not need a pedal to operate it. For example, if you buy a knee-operated sewing machine, that would fix the problem. Moreover, buying a sewing machine with built-in speed control will solve the issue. There are a variety of sewing machine models that have these features, and you should be able to get one easily.
Can I Get A Generic Sewing Machine Foot Pedal?
Even if a generic sewing machine foot pedal will work with most sewing machines, it is always important that you consult your repairman or supplier of the sewing machine spare parts. Make sure you confirm whether the generic foot pedal will be compatible with your sewing machine.
If you are not sure and the dealer is not sure as well, you can agree on a return policy so that if the generic foot pedal you bought does not work with your sewing machine, you can return it and get a refund for the money paid
How Long Does A Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Last?
You are probably asking this question after a foot pedal broke down.
Various factors determine the lifetime of your sewing machine foot pedal. The two key factors determining the period that the foot pedal will last comprise; how often you use the foot pedal and the maintenance of the foot pedal.
For most sewing machines models, it has been found that sewing machine foot pedals last for at least five years. However, foot pedals for some sewing machines can last a lifetime depending on how they were made and how they are used.
If you make sure that your sewing machine foot pedal is well maintained and taken care of, the pedal can last for at least five years.
Final Thoughts
Foot pedals are important in your sewing journey since they determine how a sewing machine stitches fabrics. The pedal works so that the harder you press it down with your foot, the faster the fabric is stitched, while on the other hand, if the pedal is softly pressed, the sewing will be slow.
A malfunctioning foot pedal will affect your sewing. You can use the tips provided to fix a faulty foot pedal.
