suzelle

Ralf, On second thought, I will hunt down those bobbins you posted the link too. I'll have to see what the Pfaff Dealers around here would charge for them in the USA. Hopefully not too crazy. I appreciate this so much, thanks again!

Ralf, That link you posted is where I read about how to thread the machine, LOL! I like to follow Brian's blog. He is always playing with some new Thrift Store sewing machine find and posting the information. Anyhow, great information you had put down about the bobbins, set screws and adjusting. I think that perhaps the reason that Pfaff gave you (2) bobbins adjusted different ways (you say one was for buttonholes) is probably because most people who sew a lot like me, don't want to have to adjust a bobbin set screw each time they change to a different thread thickness or set the machine up for a different task. I have a couple of commercial buttonholers around and will likely use one of them for the Pfaff 138. We'll see. But I might just pull out my trusty old Kenmore when I have to do those. So easy and very predictable what kind of buttonhole the Kenmore will give me. I like that. Have had that machine since I was 16, bought it brand new. I won't tell what year that was. For my commercial embroidery machines, I have bobbins set for my standard 40 weight poly embroidery thread, then I have a bobbin set to use a different weight thread on occasion. Just makes it easier for me. I have set my sewing machines up that way too and this Pfaff 138 will get the same treatment. I plan to invest in a couple new bobbins, going to get the Italian ones. When I am running all (3) machines and loading and unloading garments, I don't want to mess with tension problems, I just want to get the job done and delivered to my Customer. Thank for all your input, so helpful. Have a wonderful day!

Constabulary, Thanks so much! Very helpful information here, photos are very much appreciated! Looks like I have it threaded right, I appreciate the threading picture too. So nice of you! Okay, you confirmed what my thoughts were, that the 2nd tension knob was used for multiple situations. One funny thing about my machine when I got it is... I was trying to install a round (commercial needle) and couldn't get one in the slot. Then I examined the needle that was in the machine when I bought it home and found it was a flat side or shank, a needle designed for a Home machine. At first I was a little put off by it, because I have a whole bunch of industrial needles I wanted to put to use in all sizes. Thought about it some more and realized that I had a lot of flat shank needles too in all sizes, so what the heck! The advantage is to a standard household needle is I can install that blind-folded. Fits right into the place it's supposed to, no turning while trying to see if I got it positioned right. Love it now! I think the reason that the Sewing Machine Repair place that Serviced the machine installed the flat side needle holder is that there were two little ladies in their mid 80's (Sisters) who worked for them and ran this machine and another machine just like it. They probably couldn't see too well and it just made the needle changing easier. Another thing on this machine that is different: One of the bobbins that came with the machine had a section that was cut out of it. Not sure why, but looked like it was altered. Anyhow, no complaints, the bobbin runs fine. Photo attached. Unfortunately, I do not have the original bobbins. My machine has been well used but she runs nicely. Thank you both Ralf and Constabulary, you are the best!

So far, nothing in the instruction book I have on how to thread the two discs. I tried it though, works better than threading one disc. So thank you Kohlrausch. Much appreciated! Please, anybody else with info (perhaps pictures of how to thread the 2 discs from an Instruction Manual please)... Feel free to post. Thank you!

Really? Lol! Geesh! I read somewhere that the other disk was for a double thread. You know, running a double needle with one bobbin thread. Guess that was not correct information Here's what I'm getting so far for stitching. Looks okay/ pretty good, but could be better. Hmmm, will try threading other disk too. Thank you so much! I am printing an Instruction manual I found on the internet for the Pfaff 138. Will see if there is some fancier threading information in it. So far, I have not found anything in manual about 2nd disk.

Hi Folks! Well, this new (old) Pfaff arrived about 2 weeks ago. She was being used for years in an Industrial Environment. However, just using a light weight thread, about the weight of a household thread, or serger thread. Company I bought her from was using this machine for sewing on patches, mending, that type of thing. I'm adjusting the settings to run v69 weight thread on a daily basis. Have really cranked down the tension disk, as you can see in photo #4. It's so tight, cranked all the way down (see knurled knob on the right) and photo shows this... tension disk on the right is the one I'm using and it's quite a bit lower than the tension disk on the left. I don't like having to set it so tight. However, it's sewing fine. I've also adjusted the bottom tension to get a pretty even stitch from top and bottom (locks in the middle) and no puckers in the fabric. My question is, can I do something to make the stitch sew correctly without cranking this poor tension disk all the way down? The reason I ask is because I'd also like to use v91 weight thread in this machine once in a while, but I have no more room to crank that disk down. Don't want to ruin the machine or the disk. Also, with the v69 thread, I'm finding it a little difficult to pull a tail of thread out before beginning to sew. It's just tight when I pull and that is never good on your needle. Hope I have explained myself clearly. Please advise, if you can. There is another issue with this machine too, but will address that in another post. Thanks ahead!

Horselady, What I remember doing with my race assembly (bought an entire new one) was taking some of the parts off the new assembly and putting them together with some other parts that were original and still worked. That was my solution. As far as the Italian maker that the Darren mentioned... Darren, would that be CERLIANI?? If so, agree with you. I have another machine (not a Singer) that has a CERLIANI bobbin in it and I think it's top quality. Will buy more of those! Horselady, don't give up, try whatever you can. You can probably get that machine running smoothly again. Thought you might need a little encouragement to get to the finish line.

Just curious, Is this an original Simanco - Singer part? Asking this because I have found that after-market parts can fit very differently. At least that was my experience when replacing that part on the same machine. Just a thought.

Nice machine! I really like the old wood tables. Hopefully you got a thread stand too. If not, I just bought one from Sharp Sewing Supplies (Los Angelas) for around $16.00 via Ebay. It's all metal, just set it up lastnight. Enjoy your new New/Old machine!

Thank you Jim! I will keep this information when I do make a belt, hopefully in the near future.

Angel, There are many here much more experienced than myself, although I have fixed a few things on a few machines. LOL! Hammer, screwdriver, whatever works. But I start gently always. Hey, I thought I'd say that you might want to keep all of the 31-15 parts, even if you plan to replace any. Reason being: When I got my 31-15 running, I had to replace quite a few parts in and around the bobbin area. Got a new hook and a bunch of little things for it, but what I remember doing was going back to some of the original older parts I'd replaced because they just fit better and made the machine run better than the parts I'd purchased new. Not saying I did that with all the parts, but there were a few. So don't throw out anything until you know for sure.

Your Dad was Phonzie

Look to Craigslist in your area. My favorite place. You never know, if you say you are looking for one, you may find somebody who would rather give you one that pay the dump fees.' In my book, free is worth the time to fiddle with it. Let us know what you come up with.

No kidding! I would never have known. Better than taking a sludge hammer to it, haha!

Good job! Nice to see how it's done, thank you for sharing. I may have to do this on a machine soon.

Angel, I'm impressed with what you have done with the machine so far! Wow, I've never used one of those "Puller" thingabobs. Good job! Can't wait to see your progression on this restoration. Great pics too!

Ray, The 1929 Fargo Caravan sounds very cool! I am sure it will be hard to part with your last hot rod car. But good for you for knowing when to quit. We don't want to pass a mess down to our family to deal with some day when we check out for good. Seems to be that 1967 was one of the very best years for cars, don't you think? I like the old 67 Dodges, mainly Dodge Dart 2 door. But have had a 1967 Volkswagon which I loved and had forever, then sold that before the kids started driving. Husband called it a death trap. Good thing kids didn't drive it, we wanted heavier cars for them. Wish I had that Beetle again though, but we have a new Beetle now. It is fun, but oh how I miss smelling the gas fumes of the 67. No, not really! I too am at a point where I want to lighten my load, have been going through things and selling, giving away, donating. It is good to pass things on for others to enjoy. Such material creatures, aren't we? God Bless you too Ray!

Embossing Machine - Great topic! Sounds very interesting, this embossing machine made by the Amish. I think the Tandy machines are interesting and do shop Ebay now and then for old ones. Haven't purchased one yet, but I do drool over the possibilities. The Clicker machines are neat too! This company makes some pretty awesome equipment still - for a very high price that I cannot afford. Still, I like to see what is available! I find any kind on embossing machine intriguing. I have been playing with all kinds if ideas to make my own embossed items. A couple months back, I got one of those cuddlebug embosser machines, bought at Wallymart. It does a decent job of cutting out my leather shapes for sewing. It's just thinner, supple leather, but it works for me. I'm also playing with embossing designs into the leather using the cuttlebug and whatever I can get my hands on for patterns. The raw leather (no coating) seems to emboss the best. This is just the beginning though, and I keep coming back to the embossing idea for lots of products I'd like to make and have not yet designed. I keep a sketchbook of my ideas. Someday my cuttlebug machine will get sold for another, I'm sure of that! For now though, it is fun.

Grandkids! We have 7 now. : ) Also collect: Sewing machines that need fixing. Old black and white photos - mostly 1800's to early 1900's. Interesting tapestry and needlepoint pieces that are older. Dark wood antique furniture, mohair fabric, patterns for clothing or just about anything, picture frames and picture frame equipment, original oil or watercolor paintings, serigraph prints, intaglio prints, food recipes, and always looking at old cars hoping that one day we'll find one like the ones I used to collect! : ) Edit: Almost forgot! Gotta add books! I love books. Even though they are not selling as well as they used to when you want to clean out your book collection, I buy them still. I'm a bit more selective now than I used to be. I have a fantastic Art Library after a lifetime of collecting.

Wow! Great ideas for building tables! These kinds of ideas swirl around in my head every day. Glad I am not the only crazy one!

Bonded Poly here - my favorite. I like Sunguard, Coats, and Eddington. Using alterations weight threads, also v-69 thru v-90 (approx), and I want to experiment with some heavier weight threads. Will go with Bonded Poly whenever I can. Much of my sewn products are used outdoors, so I do prefer the UV protection.

Matt at Sailrite is very good at answering posts on his Sailrite forum. So sorry you had a broken part, I know that frustration. I have different machines now, but have owned a machine of the same style (different badge) and had issues with it too. I know how it is when you have a machine down and Customers waiting. Hope it works out for you quickly and that you are at least able to get a part locally for a fair price. Come Monday, I'd call any sewing machine repair shops in your area to see if they can provide the part that you seek. Certainly, call Sailrite too, hopefully they can rush the part out to you at no charge. Good luck!

Iron, Hope you get some help with this. I almost bought one of those machines a few months ago, then changed my mind about buying it. Never actually looked at the machine, but before I made my decision, I did purchase an original Singer booklet (Service book I think) and have since put it away. If I ever find it again (LOL-I have books galore) I'd sell it to you if you are interested. May be of some help if you are really stuck! Let me know. Good luck!

Love that! I would be so happy to find one of those! Super find, CONGRATS!