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.

If your machine is in good shape, it sounds like you got a good deal. It is a shame no one replied to this. I have the same machine. I too noticed the pressure on the presser foot is very high...and even when one loosens it all the way it is difficult to feed a material in reverse IF you are using THICK materials. No problems with the thin stuff though. Some people warned me not to get the big 441 clones saying they would have a hard time handling the thinner nylon webbing materials, but "Wiz" showed they did that just fine...and I can see that although this machine can handle 1, 2, and sometimes 3 layers of webbing...4 pushes its limits. I am still playing with mine though trying to figure everything out.

Here is the "revived" Pfaff 145 now that it has been cleaned up and placed on a new table top. These are the same old 1965 table legs, the old bobbin winder, the original Pfaff thread stand, and the original Pfaff accessories box...all cleaned up and repainted. I recovered the foot peddle with a piece of thick leather (swede side up) and the knee lift with some of the same leather to match. The machine itself has not been repainted or reconditioned. It seemed just fine as it was...although I did give it a thorough cleaning and lubrication. It seems like I finally got the tensions adjusted appropriately, as things are going better for me now. I'll post some of my work after I get more practice.

Are there any "sewing 101" topics? I'm making a little progress here fine tuning the tension adjustments. Still have some work to do though. The bobbin was feeding smoothly, but I loosened it VERY slightly. The top side was where I was getting the "herky jerky," but I didn't realize the pressure plates on the tension adjustment were relaxed when I raised the feet by the hand lift...and then tighter when I lowered the feet back down. Now that I realize that, I don't see as much "herky jerky" and am seeing more consistency in the tension. Please recall...I had no issues on the test runs when I bought the machine, but that was with 69 thread and a 160 needle (which I would think would be large...but that is what was in it). Whatever problems I am having my guess is either a product of changing thread or getting the tension adjustments out of calibration when I was cleaning the unit...in other words.a product of my doing...and I realize this...so straight forward recommendation are appreciated. I ordered a few new tension discs thinking clean ones would be beneficial, but the "U" cut out on the edge wasn't deep enough for this machine for them to fit so I had to use the old ones. I realize the 140 needle is the 22 needle...at least those are the numbers on the needle holder package. Is the 160 a #23 needle? The package that says 160 is an old package and doesn't have another number on it (other than the 190...which is the length needed for the pfaff 145 machine I suppose). Anyway, with 138 thread I received, I requested some needles...and received size 140 needle, so I assumed that was the needle I should be using...but when using the 140, I noticed some twisting in the thread in the needle and some cut strands (and I broke two needles while working through this)...which leads me to believe that needle is too small or I had my tension too tight for a while. Most of my problems occurred when backtacking...but I lengthened the stitch length and that seemed to help some. My guess is I may need a more aggressive feed dog for the thick nylon layers. Thoughts here? I put in a 160 needle and made some tension adjustments and a few more test runs...and things have gone better since, but I have only done a little sewing since. It is late now, so I will check back here for other tips, and try some more tomorrow.

Thanks. Are there any general rules that I should be familiar with? If you go to a larger thread what type of tension adjustment is generally needed? If you use it thicker material what type of tension adjustment is generally needed? Thanks.

I understand that, generally speaking, if you see knots on the bottom then the tension on the bobbin side is tighter than the upper needle side...and when you see the knots on the top then the tension on the top is tighter than it is on the bobbin...but my question is when these adjustments are not set correct and out of equalibrium...how do you know if you need to loosen the one that is too tight verses tighen the one that is loose. Right now, I am getting some build up of thread on the bobbin side...which I thought meant my bottom was tight or my upper tension was loose, but if I grab the tails of each and pull them...it is much easier to pull slack from the bottom than it is from the top. If anything the bobbin would seem loose to me and the top tight, but my knots and some extra are in the bottom.

Before dissembling and transporting the unit home...when I tested my unit, I was able to go both fast or slow. I am only waiting on my table top now to be back into action. Everything else is done.

You posted while I was editing my post. My main point isn't the leverage thing. I only mention that only because it was the only suggestion I have made here. My intention on this topic was not about making suggestions, but was to gather more information about motors. My reason for bringing this up prematurely (before I have a problem with my motor) is because I am reassembling the unit...and if I have a motor problem I don't want a lot of down time doing research about motors. To be "point blank" and clear...my question is...if I have issues with my motor (since it is old) after reassembling the unit...could I expect a new 1/2 hp clutch motor with the low rpm speed (1725) and a small pulley to offer the same control I have with my old clutch motor?

Wiz, My comments were not intended to be "suggestions" to others...but only an expression of some thoughts and questions. In doing some research about older machines, I noticed that many people that have obtained old machines updated their machines with servo motors. I believe you even updated your National 300 from a 1/3rd hp clutch motor to a higher rating servo motor (1/2 hp I believe but I don't recall for sure). I don't know why you did...but I recall that. I also recall seeing that if you were to compare a servo motor to a clutch motor of equal ratings, generally speaking the clutch motor offered more power while the servo motor offered more control. Now, is this always true??? I have no idea. I am hoping my 1/3rd hp clutch motor will power through everything I need (for now), but after all the machine and motor were made in 1965...and I suspect it is the original motor. So, I posted this not to make suggestions to others...but only to open a topic to converse on a matter and my thoughts and questions about motors in general. Being I was able to control the speed well of this clutch motor, I can tell it isn't the high speed type. I have seen some of those in action. Very intimidating to use for someone like me. My comments above about the slow clutch motors that run 1725 rpm (half the speed of some) and being used with a small pulley doesn't require a sewing machine genius to realize that this means less speed (which is easier to control for someone like me). Is it enough to offer the control that I or someone else desires...I HAVE NO IDEA. Maybe my current clutch motor is a lucky fluke. That is where experience would come into play...but that is why I posted the topic. Who knows...maybe I will be lucky and won't need a motor at all. Unfortunately, I see this topic is an apparently sensitive issue...and people are attacking one another when in my opinion that isn't beneficial to anyone. People should be able to discuss matters without it being a tape measuring contest IMO. If someone has a good idea...great. If not, explain why it is not. My belief is to let the topic stand for the merit of the post...and leave the tape measuring on the sewing desk. If I stepped on your toes or anyone else's...well, my apologies. I realize you know your machines...and I have frequently stated, I am a rookie at this sewing stuff. That said, regardless of my experience, I notice that motor issues are something a lot of people have had issues with, so I expressed a thought only as a question...not a suggestion. The only suggestions I recall blatantly making really had nothing to do with the machine, but a lever and fulcrum...something I understand VERY well...and that was an elementary suggestion at that...which was to move the connecting rod of the servo motor closer to the fulcrum on a peddle so the foot throttle would move the "trigger" more gradually...thereby reducing its sensitivity...but again that suggestion has nothing to do with motors specifically...and was on another topic. If I am wrong, so be it. If I'm not wrong...well...its just a thought from someone. I am not interested in stepping on anyone toes, and I certainly have appreciated your help. I hope you are wiling to continue to offer your help in the future.

No doubt I am a rookie here. When I get everything back together after updating the set up, I hope everything works like it did when I tested it out. I will post some pictures and video if all goes well. If not, I will need to lube the brain here some more. LOL.:brainbleach: Wiz, I will be the first to admit, I know nothing about these motors. Did I say something specifically wrong or inaccurate above? I realize they come in different phases and volts. I have a 220 circuit here for some of my wood working tools (80" belt sanders, table saws, dust collection, etc). I not only train guard dogs, but also make longbows. I am doing what I can to learn...but the old saying "the proof is in the pudding" also comes to mind. Meaning, if it does everything I need, I will keep using this motor. If not, then I will holler back to find out what's next.

I am a rookie in terms of sewing. I am just getting started with a few crafts...so I was curious if I "just got lucky" or if the motors changed. Being the motor is 50 years old...I hope it continues to last as it appears to be able to meet all my needs..>BUT I HAVEN'T TRIED my heaviest stuff yet. Hopefully it will work well there too. I will find out soon. I am waiting on a new table top from Bob before reassembling everything after bringing it home. Anyway, upon seeing some of the other conversations, I noticed that many stated they updated their old clutch motor with new servo motors. I also noticed that when looking at various motors, one could get a "low rpm" clutch motor. It seems like that would be a low cost solution to many of the problems that some are having with some of the servo motors. If it isn't slow enough, a small pulley or gear reduction would slow it down even more...and add power to boot. Yes, it will be drawing power when it is on, but with the switch right there in the front, I don't see that being a big deal either. Just sharing a few thoughts and questions among my observations.