schatten pickup winder

[Chris Walsh]

There may come a time when your schatten pickup winder gets a little "tired". I don't know if there is another thread on the subject, but I learned of this issue at another forum AFTER I picked up a used winder off someone on feebay. Naturally, I tested the used winder free of any resistance (winding a pickup) to make sure I was getting ballpark RPM. I emailed support for the winder when I learned while winding a pickup...the thing just dies out, there is just not enough power (motor/controller).... no response from Schatten as of yet...it's been over a month.

I learned on the other thread .....that there is a motor with a little more torque and RPM that you can use to modify/fix your winder. Here it is:
http://www.mpja.com/136VDC-6290RPM-Tool ... /17942+MD/

There are some simple adjustments to make...it's an 1/8" serrated end...you'll have to drill out the aluminum hub on the schatten ..no biggie...it's a longer shaft...added a collar...and adjustment...all good...couple 4/40 motor mount screws with spacers...no problem.

What I have found so far is that you don't want to adjust the speed much beyond half....or the power supply just shuts down. But, at half speed, you are easily at the 750RPM that the winder normally peaks at (no, I didn't time/clock the turns, but you're "there". You can tweak it just a hair beyond for short periods during a pickup wind, but there is no need. Upon startup, the counter fails, because the motor (I assume) is drawing more power...the machine needs a little flick of the finger to jump start, and the counter fires right back up. So, it's all good.

I can't speak to the longevity of this situation, but wound a half dozen pickups today....and handled everything just fine.

[John Kingma]

I know 2 people who have been using the Schatten winder for years without any trouble, and they have each wound hundreds of coils. Perhaps some of the problems you are having are not so much "Schatten" issues, but "previous owner" issues.

[David King]

No, the Schatten winders are known to fail regularly. The problem isn't limited to the motor but also the PWM speed control is not up to the task and eventually needs replacement with something with a higher rating. We've joked about a cottage industry of refurbishing these winders.

[David Schwab]

The problem is not the motor. The problem is the home made speed control. I bought my Schatten back in April ‘'06. In January 2009 it started running very slow. I contacted Les Schatten, who wanted me to send the winder to them to check out. But I had a lot of pickups to wind, so instead I bought a new motor. That seemed to fix it for a day or two, and then it was running slow again.

So I tried powering the old motor directly from the wall wart, and it ran nice and fast. So the issue is the motor speed control. However, the motors are under powered and not all that fast. You can actually stop the motor by pinching the magnet wire, and without breaking the wire.

When the winder broke the second time, I needed to get it running ASAP, so I removed the left bobbin holder, removed the belt from the motor, and chucked my variable speed DeWalt drill to on the axle! The winder runs so well this way that I just left it. I can wind faster, and with more tension too. And the counter still works.

replacing the stock motor and speed control will do it too.

[Chris Walsh]

Hi David... It was actually your thread from another forum that I learned of this motor/controller issue and learned of this motor. Like I said, I've only wound a half dozen pickups, so I cannot attest to the longevity of this setup. Time will tell, I guess. And, while I was cursing this second hand shatten winder, and had not ordered the new motor, I also hooked up my hand drill and router control and everything worked fine...with as much torque and speed as needed. But, after a while...it's like...ahhh...what a hassle when it doesn't need to be!

[David King]

Chris,

Just a get a cheap PWM either in kit form if you like to solder stuff or pre-made like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Converter-12V-36V ... =pd_cp_e_2
You probably don't need more than 10-20 Watts but no harm in going bigger.
There are dozens or PWMs on ebay if you don't mind waiting for packages from Hong Kong.
Here's a cheaper one that ships from China:
http://www.amazon.com/Dimming-Controlle ... m_sbs_lg_5
If you're a true luthier, no price will seem low enough. <g>

[Chris Walsh]

David,

Thanks for the link! I'll probably go ahead and order two of 'em. I think shipping was more expensive than TWO motors....so I bought two...at .. I don't know...$3-4/pc. Given the cost of this winder...these upgraded replacement parts are nothing.

[David King]

Chris,
I'd urge you to do due diligence and make sure this is going to work before you pick it up. I don't have any intimate knowledge of how the Schatten is powered so I'm just guessing at the values.
Let us know how it works out.