ChimeraKennels

Got the new motor back and finally installed it. It seems to be working fine. Much easier to control, and with the 50 mm pully it punches through my thickest layers without hesitation.

I don't know about the motor yet, but the company seems good. They send UPS to my home to pick it up (no charge for me) to get it. They are sending a replacement upon its return. Hopefully the new one will work better.

First, it has been a while since my last visit. Things have been going well and I want to thank those of you that helped me in the past with my Pfaff 145 questions and set up. I have made many K9 leashes, collars, and backties...and also a few holsters for my personal firearms. My old machine though had the original clutch motor on it and the clutch finally wore out. Instead of repairing it, I decided to go with a servo motor for quieter operation and hopefully better speed control. Upon my research, the sewquiet 5000 seemed to have excellent reviews, but unfortunately, when mine arrived it stopped working after just a few inchest of testing that went very well I might say...but then the fuse popped. I replaced the fuse and it still didn't work. I looked at the machine and I saw some smoke coming out of it, smelled a burning odor, so I immediately unplugged it. I called the complany and they were very professional in their response but I am waiting for a call back this coming week to arrange for a repair. Anyone else have experience here with this motor. I know there are some professionals here, so I would like your input once again. BTW, here is some of my work...

Trox, thanks for your tips. I will be sure to check the links you provided. When you say "they have interchangable parts," do you know if I can modify my machine to use the larger bobbin carrier and hook that was seen on the 545? The dog in an "American Sentinel Canine."

Thank you WIZ...for all your help. Also, I need to say thanks to Bob (maybe Bill...I apologize but I forgot) I believe it was at a sewing machine shop for helping me out as well. I am not an expert on machines so I don't know how the differences between the 145 H3, 145 H4, 545 H3, and 545 H4 in terms of bobbin volume between these variants. I know mine has the high lift, but I am pretty sure I have the smaller bobbin. I know mine is the 145 H4 6/1C LMNP. I don't know what these letters and numbers mean. Does anyone here know? I keep extra bobbins loaded so it isn't too much of an issue. The only modification I want to make to mine is to get a speed reducer. If I was to floor the peddle, it would be impossible for me to keep up with. Adding a speed reducer will give me more control, and also increase the torque...which will also be good. It will do about 90% of the stuff I want done. To do the remaining 10%, I go to hand stitching. If I had a bigger machine, I could then do the heavy stuff with a machine, but couldn't do the lighter stuff unless I kept this machine. I don't have the room or money for two quality machines. When I got my machine was in great shape. It was owned by an older retired gentleman that did upholstery work that was deaf and worked at home. He kept his machine inside and well cared for...but the table was in a patio and was in poor condition. I ordered a new table top, cleaned up the metal leg frame and repainted it, and then added some leather on the foot pad and knee lift to make the non-mechanical parts like new, as my machine was still in great shape. Here it is after reconditioning it. I enjoy using it for holsters, leashes, collars, etc (I train guard dogs). Here are a few collars and leashes I make...

I got my Pfaff 145 machine for nylon collars, leashes, and other K9 equipment, but I have made a few holsters. I am no expert, and you can see some scuffing on the leather due to not having the right walking foot on the machine, but overall...I'm happy. This is on my Ruger sp101 revolver. 2nd one... (first is now reassigned/designated for the 22lr, but this one is now for the 357 Mag). I think I did a little better this time.

I have come to learn that the machine works fine, and it was me that needed to learn how to use it. And things have been going fine with it ever since.

Thanks. Bob, Both feet lift...and clear when I am at 3 layers...at 4 layers though, they go through the motion of lifting, but barely clear. Going forward is no problem, but in reverse I either have minor feed issues (or too much tension on the top it seems) and I will bend the needle. As long as I go forward, I literally have zero issues...and I can go in reverse too if I go very slow. I certainly am not a pro by any means...but if I loosen up the tension the stitch isn't as nice. So, while not "perfect" it seems to get the job done very well if I am patient. Maybe next year I will talk to you about that 4500.

I want to thank everyone here for their help. While I have only done a little leather...as I mostly do heavy nylon, and now that I know how to use it things are going very well and are now trouble free. I can tell I am at the upper limits of the Pfaff 145 machine, but I only have problems with thick stuff when I reverse directions too fast as it has some difficulty feeding thick stiff in reverse. Going forward, I have no problems, and going reverse is ok too if I go slow. With care...I am able to meet my needs trouble free. I will update to a heavier "full commercial leather" machine even though most of my work is nylon. Here is a sample of the nylon collars I am making...

What is the difference between the 206 & 406?

Thanks for the VERY detailed reply.

It is "Bonded Nylon" and is Pre-lubricated. I am going to sew a bit with the cover plate open to see if I can see what is going on as the needle thread goes around the bobbin case. I wonder if the tip of the hook is catching the thicker thread and nicking away at it? I am open to suggestions...but being this is a "motor thread"...I don't want to detract from this topic any further. I will put it on one of my other topics about the machine. Thanks.

I don't think so. I ordered "138" thread in black and tan...but didn't specify if it was to be lubricated or not. I just got done cleaning up the minute burrs on the feed dog (although most were on the top and not really where the thread would contact)...but that didn't help any. I put everything back together...ran the machine and it still broke. It appears to get a lot of twists in it when it fails, but I can't tell if the twisting is the cause or if it is a secondary effect.

I have a few issues with it from time to time with my thickest stuff, but I don't know if it is a penetration issue...or if it is a tension issue on my thread...as the thread is getting torn up when I sew the thick stuff. I still have some learning to do. I thought I had resolved the issue...but no, I haven't. I think both my tensions may be too tight with the thicker thread, but before I loosened them both, I decided to remove my feed dog to dremel it a bit...as I noticed a few rough edges around the hole. I ordered a new feed dog from Bob today to replace this one...but for now, the dremel will suffice and I will give it a try again with the tensions eased up a bit. Will see if the 1/3rd hp motor will pull through for me then. The reason I think the tension is too tight is I put a drop of oil on the old pressure plates and it ran fine for a while...but I guess enough thread ran through to "dry it out" and I started having some issues again.